Posted at 02:01 PM in inspiration | Permalink | Comments (0)
I was looking for some advise on how to live forever. I haven't been able to figure out how to cheat death, but I did find a lot of simple information on people who have lived past 100 years and were happy, vital and seemed to have lives full of purpose.
The people that live in Hojancha, Costa Rica, are some of the healthiest, longest-lived populations on the planet.
Some simple Costa Rican secrets for living a long life.
Have a strong sense of purpose - Costa Rican centenarians have a clear mission in life, what they call a plan de vida. They feel needed and want to contribute to a greater good.
Drink hard water - Nicoyan water has the country’s highest calcium content, which perhaps explains the centenarians’ lower rates of heart disease, as well as stronger bones and fewer hip fractures.
Keep a focus on family -Nicoyan centenarians tend to live with their families, and children or grandchildren provide support and a sense of purpose and belonging.
Eat a light dinner -Eating fewer calories appears to be one of the surest ways to add years to your life. Nicoyans eat a light dinner early in the evening. Their traditional diet of fortified maize and beans may be the best nutritional combination for longevity the world has ever known.
Maintain social networks -Nicoyan centenarians get frequent visits from neighbors. They know how to listen, laugh, and appreciate what they have.
Keep hard at work - Centenarians seem to have enjoyed physical work all their lives. They find joy in everyday physical chores.
Get some sensible sun -Nicoyans regularly take in the sunshine, which helps their bodies produce vitamin D for strong bones and healthy bodies. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a host of problems, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, but regular “smart” sun exposure (about 15 minutes on the legs and arms) can help supplement your diet and ensure you’re getting enough of this vital nutrient.
Embrace a common history -Modern Nicoyans’ roots, among the indigenous Chorotega, and their spiritual traditions have enabled them to remain relatively free of stress.
Read about the longest living people in the world and their secrets for a happy life.
Adapted with permission of the National Geographic Society from the book The Blue Zone: Lessons for Living Longer Freom the People Who's Lived the Longest - Dan Buettner. Copyright © 2008 Dan Buettner.
Posted at 05:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
I will always love you
The robin sings
summer turns to fall
Posted at 09:14 AM in freyku | Permalink | Comments (0)
I have been feeling overwhelmed lately and am trying to work on clearing out the distractions and unnecessary things in my life. My first step was to define the essential things in my life.
The "essential" things are the things that I want to make more time for. I am not coming at this from a personal, or financial perspective, but I am defining what is "essential" based on the following question: "what would I spend my time doing if I could do whatever I wanted"
Here is my list.
1. Spending time with my family. This one is pretty much self-explanatory. I would love to have twice the time I have now to spend with the people I love more than anything in the world.
2. Surfing. I have to admit that I am a poser here. I want to be a surfer, I love the surfer culture, I am a shorts/t-shirt and flip flops guy, and I actually can surf. I just don't. I'm not sure why. But if I think about the things I really want to do, this is on the top of my list. I want this to become an essential part of my life. There is a part of me that is afraid to pick up surfing, I am not sure why, but this is how I am addressing that fear.
3. Exercise. 5-6 days a week. Gym, run, surf, row, ride my bike. This is an essential part of my life.
4. Photography. When I was in high school I always wanted to be a photographer. Now seems to be as good a time as any?
Now it's time to start clearing out the distractions.
Posted at 08:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)