So I’ve been reading Dan Buettner’s The Blue Zones, and I’ve gotta say it’s kind of been messing with me. Messy, messy stuff. On the one hand, it’s deeply encouraging to know there are things any one of us crazy lazies (that’d be me) can do to add another ten good years to our lives. We’re not talking about time hooked up to an oxygen tank, folks. Nope. Buettner and his smarty pants scientifified (not a word–not even a little) cronies project an extra decade of healthy living for each of us if only we can employ some changes to our lifestyles.

Might be worth it to pass on the no-no foods, huh? Maybe fixing that bike rim wouldn’t be such a pain in the arse after all when we’re talking about an extra DECADE with the people we love the most. For your children? Yeah, that’s what gets me, too.

Mama came to play dirty today.

On the other hand, it’s quite sad to realize that while we’re now living in a world of modern conveniences, we may have traded some of the healthy habits that came before our beloved microwaves. Also, how (un)healthy are microwaves? Ugh…

First, it’s worth mentioning that there are more centenarians (those living upwards of 100) per capita in Okinawa than there are anywhere else in the world. Just sayin’.

Without further verbose ado-ing, here are 10 things Okinawans do better than the rest of us:

1. An easily articulated “ikigai”: Okinawans know their purpose in life and can readily verbalize it. The are comforted by specific roles they serve and the feeling of being needed and respected–even as they round out their 90s.

2. Veggie-tales: Look. There’s no easy way to say this, but the O’s follow a plant-based diet, with small amounts of meat (pork) reserved for the occasional special occasions. Think “stir-fried vegetables, sweet potatoes, and tofu.” The result is lower bodyweight and blood sugar. They also make it a habit to stop eating when they’re 80% full.

Not ready to let go of the Big Mac just yet (it’s that “special sauce”)? Then listen to what “Greg” (an expert of some kind… has to say in the book):

Obesity is certainly a risk factor. But eating junk food also creates chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract… triggering it all the time by eating bad foods causes the body to produce chemicals that wreak havoc on our organs and arteries. People think that our skin is the main way our bodies  interact with the outside world, but it is actually through our digestive tract. That’s a lot of inflammation for our bodies to deal with.

Did I mention I was just learning to enjoy the “pink” in my beef tenderloin?

3. How does your garden grow?: These folks grow their own gardens (organic, natch), which is not only an incredible source of anti-inflammatory food, but also gives great exercise to many muscle groups. The funny hat is just an extra, extra added bonus.

Photo credit: David McClain

4. Soy?: Okinawans are big fans of tofu and miso soup, which help protect the heart and can maintain gastrointestinal integrity.

5. All you need is a “moai”: A strong sense of community from a close-knit group of friends provides security and helps these folks shed stress daily. Dare I say the “tribe” has spoken?

6. “Step into the sunshine”: I’m happy to say I’m actually doing okay with this one; I take 50,000 IUs of vitamin D weekly. Okinawans get a heavy does of the stuff by being in the sun daily while tending their gardens. The book suggests that while bouts of sunburn can lead to skin cancer, not getting enough vitamin D via sunshine or otherwise can lead to other diseases.

7. Move it: These longevity rock stars are up and moving constantly, taking care of their gardens, etc. They also sit on tatami mats on the floor instead of furniture, which forces them to stay flexible, while getting up and down “dozens of times daily builds lower body strength, which helps protect against dangerous falls.”

8. Go (medicinally) herbal: Using herbs (mugwort, ginger, turmeric) from their gardens to flavor rice and tea is proving to aid in living longer.

9. Attitude is everything: Live for today and learn to let go of stress. Laugh in the face of obstacles instead of getting stuck in the mire.

10. A higher power: Okinawans pray to their ancestors daily, which centers them and alleviates stress. Belief in something or Someone greater than ourselves gives us a perspective shift and the purpose (ikigai) we all need to keep going.

Oh, Peeps. I’m afraid it really is time to rethink a few things on my end. I’ll keep you posted, yo…