BUILDING YOUR CIRCLE OF SUPPORT
"Circles of support touching one life after another, circles swelling, growing until everything around them becomes encircled. . . and changed". - Unknown.
Image Source: Margarida CSilva (Unsplash)
Today, we conclude our discussion about the Blue Zones with the final lesson I will call - building your circle of support. This post will highlight how the longest-lived "found their tribe." Then, I suggest incorporating the Power 9 lessons into a community you can build for yourself and others.
The Okinawans form a moai - groups of people who stick together their whole lives. Buettner tells us that moais initially developed as a financial support community. Today, a moai serves as a mutual support network where Okinawans usually meet daily in a host home for several hours (2012, p 294).
The Sardinians meet with friends at the end of each day for a happy hour. They also build a circle through an annual grape harvest and village festivals - both activities require participation from the whole community to make these events successful (2012, p. 294).
The Loma Linda Adventists converge at church services and share community meals for the Sabbath weekend. Buettner highlighted a seven-and-a-half-year study conducted by the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. The researchers in this study found that persons who attended a religious service at least once a month increased their longevity (2012, p. 288). You can use the following list to brainstorm ways to create your Blue Zones community.
Gather With Like-minded People
Search for or form a group of like-minded people who support healthy habits. Consider volunteering with a non-profit or faith-based organization. For example, Habitat for Humanity offers a social circle where you can perform purposeful movement (through the building or renovating of a home) - a win-win to get your steps in. If you are into hiking, fishing, camping, or any physical activity that piques your interest, do your research to find groups that offer such services. You can also connect with meet-up groups through the World Wide Web.
Image Source: Belinda Fewings (Unsplash)
Attend a Retreat
Wellness, spirituality, meditation, and health-oriented retreats (1 day or several) are great ways to build your tribe and gift yourself some self-care time. Events like these allow you to downshift from the daily rigors of life. Retreats are a great way to network and collaborate with others on improving your quality of life and theirs.
Gather at the Piazza
A piazza is an open area or square usually found in an Italian village. Community and family gather at the appointed space to connect and share their day. When I grew up, a neighbor's front porch would serve as the piazza where friends gathered just to BS. Research your area to find public places where others gather for a common purpose. One example would be a drum circle. Be creative, as the possibilities may reside outside your front door or within minutes of the same.
Be Likeable
Buettner offered a final piece of sage advice - be likable. His team's research found that older people with a sunny disposition were more popular and had the broadest support circle versus those who tended to be unfriendly (2012, p. 295).
If you want to improve both your longevity and quality of life, take every opportunity to adopt elements of the Power 9. This endeavor will require effort and commitment. However, do your best with what you have in each moment to improve your position - one day at a time. Until next time-
Namaste,
Tim
References
Buettner, D. (2012). The Blue Zones (2nd ed.). 9 Lessons For Living Longer from the People who've lived the longest. Washington, DC: National Geographic.
Buettner, D. (2021). The Blue Zones Challenge. A 4-Week Plan for a Longer, Better Life. Washington, DC: National Geographic.