BLUE ZONES: THE JOY OF TIMELESS YOUTH
Thursday, 26 June 10:00, Javea Golf Club.
A special event created to bring together our regular friends and members of the European Union of Women Marina Alta and to meet new friends. Come and enjoy livelym interactive discussions about this multi-faceted topic.
There will be a film screening of the documentary Blue Zones as well as perspectives from two centenarians living and thriving in the Marina Alta. We interviewed them to ask them questions about their lives and what they think is attributed to living such a long life.
Emilia Pascual Pastor, a very special person who is 102 years of age and turning 103 on 4 October. Her words are a testament to an era of hard work, love and wisdom. Through these questions, we aim to capture a small part of her story and her heart.
Peter Langley, born in Shanghai on 24 October 1924, joined the RAF at 16 and began flying at 17. His 25-year RAF career took him around the world, including service in WWII and the Korean War, earning a Distinguished Flying Cross from Queen Elizabeth II for gallantry. He flew Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on their 1961 tour of India and Nepal before retiring in 1966. After 18 years flying for World Airways, he moved to Spain, where he has lived in Jávea for 27 years. Peter, who has five children and has been married three times, celebrated his 100th birthday in 2024, receiving congratulations from King Charles. His secret to longevity? “Be peaceful, deal with problems as they come, stay true to yourself… and a Jack Daniels now and then doesn’t hurt either!”
Why do people in certain parts of the world live a decade longer—and what are they doing differently?
Blue Zones are regions known for having the longest-lived populations, often with a high percentage of centenarians. These areas, such as Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, and others, share lifestyle factors that contribute to longevity, including a plant-based diet, regular physical activity, strong social connections, and a sense of purpose.
Daily life in Blue Zones often involves natural movement, rather than structured exercise, as people go about their daily tasks.
Strong family and community bonds are a hallmark of these areas, fostering a sense of belonging and support.
Having a clear purpose in life, known as "Ikigai" in Okinawa, is believed to extend lifespan and improve overall well-being.
Researchers and journalists like Dan Buettner https://www.bluezones.com/about/history/ and his team have studied these areas to understand the factors contributing to their exceptional longevity. These insights are now being used to develop community-based programs and initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles and improve well-being in other parts of the world.
The Blue Zones Project works to transform communities by implementing Blue Zone principles, encouraging participation from various stakeholders, and focusing on small, sustainable changes that can lead to significant improvements in health and well-being.
Blue Zones documentary synopsis:
In the early 2000s, Dan Buettner collaborated with National Geographic to reverse-engineer a formula for longevity. He scoured the globe for years in pursuit of places where people live much longer than average, and the concept of blue zones came to fruition. To date, the expeditions unveiled Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California, as blue zones with the highest rates of living centenarians. These five spots share some similar elements — a plant-based diet, natural movement, and putting family first — that have been proven to promote longevity and health in residents.
Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones takes members around the world to investigate the diet and lifestyles of those living the longest lives. Explore the original blue zones, be immersed in their culture and lifestyles, and see how Blue Zones is applying the research in communities across the United States. Buettner offers insight on how to benefit from following at least some of their leads, because the only thing better than looking good as you age, is feeling good as you age.