The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest

by Dan Buettner

“I think a superior social support network is one of the reasons that women live longer than men,” says Dr. Robert Butler. “They have better and stronger systems of support than men, they’re much more engaged with and helpful to each other, more willing and able to express feelings, including grief and anger, and other aspects of intimacy.” LESSON NINE STRATEGIES Try these tips to build up the inner circle of your Blue Zone. Identify your inner circle. Know the people who reinforce the right habits, people who understand or live by Blue Zone secrets. Go through your address book or your contact list of friends. Think about which ones support healthy habits and challenge you mentally, and which ones you can truly rely on in case of need. Put a big “BZ” by their names. Ideally, family members are the first names on that list. Be likable. Of the centenarians interviewed, there wasn’t a grump in the bunch. Dr. Nobuyoshi Hirose, one of Japan’s preeminent longevity experts, had a similar observation. Some people are born popular, and people are naturally drawn to them. Likable old people are more likely to have a social network, frequent visitors, and de facto caregivers. They seem to experience less stress and live purposeful lives. Create time together. Spend at least 30 minutes a day with members of your inner circle. Establish a regular time to meet or share a meal together. Take a daily walk. Building a strong friendship requires some effort, but it is an investment that ca...