At TNTW, we honor longevity not just as living longer—but living well, with joy, purpose, connection, and vitality. The Blue Zones offer us a sacred map. These are regions around the world where people live significantly longer, healthier lives—often reaching 90 or even 100+—not because of miracle diets or biohacks, but because of intentional, balanced living rooted in ancestral wisdom.

Originally studied by National Geographic researcher and author Dan Buettner, the Blue Zones remind us that longevity is a lifestyle—one that integrates movement, meaning, nourishment, and soulful relationships into the very fabric of daily life.

What Are the Blue Zones?

The Blue Zones are five regions identified for their extraordinary longevity and well-being:

• Okinawa, Japan
• Sardinia, Italy
• Ikaria, Greece
• Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
• Loma Linda, California (Seventh-day Adventist Community)

These communities may differ in culture, climate, and language—but they share common threads that contribute to their vitality.

The Nine Blue Zone Lessons for Living Longer (a.k.a. The Power 9)

Based on years of research, Buettner identified nine core habits that unite these communities:

Move Naturally

They don’t go to the gym—they live in environments that nudge them to move: walking, gardening, daily chores 

Purpose (Ikigai/Plan de Vida)

A strong sense of purpose gives people something to wake up for each day, adding up to 7 years of life expectancy.

Downshift

They have routines to shed stress—prayer, napping, tea ceremonies, ancestor remembrance.

80% Rule

"Hara Hachi Bu" (stop eating when 80% full). Mindful moderation is key to avoiding overeating.

Planted

Diets are primarily plant-based, rich in beans, greens, and whole foods, with meat consumed rarely and mindfully.

Wine at 5

In moderation, and often in community, many Blue Zone residents enjoy a daily glass of wine with friends or family.

Belong

Most centenarians are part of a faith-based or spiritual community, contributing to emotional resilience and belonging.

Loved Ones First

Family is prioritized. Elders live near or with loved ones, and strong intergenerational bonds are central to daily life.

Right Tribe

They are surrounded by supportive social circles that reinforce healthy behaviors and emotional well-being.

TNTW Reflections and Practices for a Blue Zones-Inspired Life

• Move Mindfully: Incorporate natural movement into your day. Walk barefoot on the earth, stretch, dance, garden.
• Live Your Purpose: Reflect on your soul’s calling. Let your days be guided by meaning, not just tasks.
• Eat with Gratitude: Practice mindful eating. Cook with intention. Embrace more plants and ancestral recipes.
• Downshift Daily: Create rituals for rest—breathwork, meditation, herbal tea, sacred baths.
• Nurture Connection: Prioritize community. Call your elders. Gather around the table with friends. Laugh often.

Recommended Reading

For deeper exploration, we encourage you to read: "The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest" by Dan Buettner. This book is both informative and inspiring, offering practical ways to bring Blue Zone habits into your everyday life.

TNTW Affirmation for Longevity

"I live each day with purpose, peace, and presence. I honor my body with movement, my heart with connection, and my soul with meaning. I choose a life that is not only long—but deeply alive."

The Blue Zones are more than a geographic phenomenon—they are a spiritual invitation. An opportunity to return to rhythms of wellness, joy, and connection that our ancestors knew well. By remembering and embracing these rhythms, we build lives that are full of years and years that are full of life.

💫 Members can explore the expanded Blue Zones Resource Guide in the Ritual Toolkit Vault (RTV)