Nov 2025 | 2.5-minute read, How to, Lifestyle, Wellness

How to Live Long & Live Well – Lessons from the World’s Blue Zones

We have recently come across some longevity secrets from the world’s Blue Zones – how to live long & live well – these are regions of the world where people live exceptionally long and healthy lives, with a higher-than-average concentration of centenarians.

Did you know that on the small Greek island of Ikaria (also known as Icaria), nearly one in three people live into their 90s and dementia is almost unheard of.

Across the globe, several communities share the same secret: long, healthy, happy lives.

Known as the Blue Zones, these places: Ikaria (Greece), Sardinia (Italy), Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya (Costa Rica) and Loma Linda (California) offer a simple truth: longevity isn’t about luck or genes. It’s about daily rhythm, purpose, and connection.

Is it more than genetics?

It’s doesn’t appear to only be genetics; it appears to also be lifestyle.

Statistics indicate that only approximately 20–30 % of how long you live is attributed to genetics.

The rest depends on daily choices, how we move, what we eat, who we connect with, and how we rest. Which means individually, we hold the power to create our own version of a Blue Zone life right where we are.

Eat soft, live large

In Blue Zones, food is predominantly plant-based, legumes, leafy greens, whole grains, olive oil, and nuts form the foundation. Meat is enjoyed occasionally; processed food is rarely present.

This way of eating appears to be abundant, colourful, and grounded in balance. But don’t be concerned, treats can still exist!

Nourishment can be about more than food. Some practices around food that seem to be evident in Blue Zones include thoughtfulness around how they eat, who they eat with, and the environment they create.

Such as:

Making their plate mostly plant based.
Practising “Hara Hachi Bu” – eat until they’re 80 % full.
Thoughtful eating: eating slowly, being present and without scrolling/devices.

Move naturally throughout the day

While physical movement is important in Blue Zones, people don’t seem to hit the gym every day. They move organically through their day: walking, gardening, cooking, and tending to their homes. It’s not about intensity; it’s about consistency and joy.

Some Blue Zone tips:

Walk rather than drive to get morning coffee.
Stretch or do light chores between tasks.
Keep living spaces open and inspiring.

Purpose, rest, and connection

A shared thread across all longevity cultures includes purpose, called ikigai in Japan or plan de vida in Costa Rica.

Add to that, daily rest, laughter, and community, and you have the true foundation of wellness.

Try these tips:

Spend 15 minutes during the day resting – meditate, read, or nap.
Connect with loved ones regularly.
Reflect on what gives your life meaning and try to do more of it.

Create your own Blue Zone

Whilst it could be very tempting, you don’t need to move to Sardinia to live longer, you can introduce the same essence into your space wherever you are living.

Some ways to start:

If you don’t already, consider introducing plant-based only meals during the week.
Introduce more natural movement and walk wherever you can.
Rest deeply, even if for short periods of time, outside of typical long sleep.
Nurture relationships and gratitude.
Design your space for beauty and balance.

Explore how calm, softness, and ritual can transform the way you live.

At suki.collective, we know there are some tips in this article that we could adopt to help boost our health and well-being!

If we choose to want to live long & live well, it appears there are communities around the world doing exactly that. By adopting some of these simple Blue Zone practices, we too can introduce thoughtful living and calm into our hectic lives through daily rhythm, purpose, and connection.

Give it a try and remember, consistency is key!

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