The sustainable and equitable promotion of the long-living population of seniors and the establishment of a cultural agenda aimed at strengthening sustainable, rural, community tourism stood out among the commitments made. We're going to focus on the last one, mostly because it hits close to home. Do you ever wish you could know the secrets to a long and happy life? Modern Nicoyans roots to the indigenous Chorotega and their traditions have enabled them to remain relatively free of stress. They begin each meal with a prayer. Near the fishing village of Tambor (reached by a 20-minute flight from San Jos or a drive down from the Paquera ferry) is Costa Ricas first all-inclusive. Its about 75 miles long and 35 miles wide, with the northern section a part of Guanacaste province and the southern section in Puntarenas province. These commitments also included mechanisms to develop best practices in health promotion in the "five blue cantons" of the Peninsula, strengthening support networks, and incentivizing the recuperation of life lessons and traditions. Speaking of work, finding work/life balance is a constant challenge for many. A hike from the town of Montezuma will bring you past several cooling-off pools on your way to the three cascades of this waterfall, perhaps the most visited one on the peninsula. We do not need to wait for our cities of residence to adopt the principles for healthier living outlined in the Blue Zones Project. However, altering your diet, increasing the amount of exercise you get in a given day, and embracing relationships with family and friends are good places to start. The Nicoya Peninsula, a Blue Zone in Costa Rica, is renowned for its tranquil, laid-back ambiance. Rice and black beans, gallo pinto, served with eggs and tropical fruit. There are five regions around the world called the Blue Zones: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California. They have a simplistic lifestyle - Nicoyans ordinarily make a living as farmers and or cattle ranchers, and this consistent activity is said to be one of the reasons for their longevity. They wake up. We must make the health of future generations our responsibility by implementing the lifestyles of the Blue Zones people now. Gone are the days of making your own food and growing organic produce. They also practice good physical and mental health. Results were also shared from the research carried out by the demographer Luis Rosero and Dr. Elizabeth Lopez, both from Costa Rica, who made significant contributions on the subject of healthy longevity. The Caribbean nation is economically secure and has excellent health care. What Is The Potential Of Generative AI In Healthcare? Nantipa means blue in the language of the Chorotega people, some of the first known people to live in the Nicoya region. These characteristics are: Despite this, it is believed that 30% of a long healthy life comes from genes and 70% is based on lifestyle. We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and now live in sunny Costa Rica. The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica is one of the five areas in the world that hold the distinguished classification of a Blue Zone. Complex carbs provide the energy a person needs to get through the day. There are several theories about why the Blue Zone of Costa Rica exists, but the most likely explanation is that it is due to a combination of factors. There are two trails for visitors and a pristine white sand beach. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Whether this pandemic impacts the average lifespan of people around the world or not, a lot can be gained by studying five specific regions in the world where people seemingly effortlessly live to over 90 years in age. Perhaps youll also figure out your lifes purpose, which studies show contributes to a longer and higher quality life, and make the effort to reconnect with family whether youve brought them with you or will see them again once youre home. In one of Buettner's most recent visits to Costa Rica, he defined Blue Zones as "a kind of lifestyle and environment that creates longevity. First . Having worked with the pioneers in mind-body research and psychoneuroimmunology. LIKED THIS? They include good physical and mental health, upholding a traditional diet, a deep faith and spirituality, support and respect to family networks that go across generations, where grandchildren spend time with their grandparents and share in their knowledge, physical activity and constant mobility, and a purpose in life associated with spirituality. Costa Rica holds one of the original 5 blue zones of the world and you will find yourself in one of them if you decide on living in the Nicoya Peninsula. And here are two great reports done that will give you a better understanding of the Nicoya people, area, and mindset. Nicoyas interior where most of the centenarians and almost-centenarians live and northeastern coast are less visited by tourists but still have much to offer. It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision! We have obtained information from Nicoya, Costa Rica on ways to live longer and be happier. WED LOVE IF YOUD ADD IT ON PINTEREST! He has written numerous books on the topic, but I suggest starting with: Blue Zones of Happiness and The Blue Zones Kitchen (a cookbook). Inadequate calcium means weak muscles -- including the heart. Cala Luna won most innovative wellness hotel from the Global Beauty & Wellness Awards thanks to daily complimentary wellness activities like hatha yoga, bikes to borrow, farm-to-table cuisine (from La Sendas farm) with organic and biodynamic wines, and the innovative treatments at its Lahari Wellness Center spa. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Montezuma: Best Hotels in Costa Rica. It is believed that one factor which may contribute to the high number of Nicoyan centenarians is the high calcium content in the water. I feel lucky to have found this information, though the credit doesn't belong to me, but rather to the older residents. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Guevara lives in the Nicoya peninsula of Costa Rica. Nicoya, Costa Rica. Protein helps to rebuild and repair tissue, as well as it helps a person to feel full. They find joy in everyday physical chores. They feel needed, and their daily lives revolve around their family and community. For example, we know that Nicoya is the driest part of Costa Rica, that it used to be part of Nicaragua, and that more Indians intermarried with the Spanish who began settling here in 1510. Nosara also has three beaches remote black sand Playa Nosara, Playa Guiones with some of Costa Ricas best surfing, and Playa Pelada for tide pools, blow holes, snorkeling, and swimming. Blessed with sandy beaches and tropical forest, it's something of a backpackers' paradise. To my delight, Costa Rica has its own Blue Zone - the Nicoya Peninsula! In parallel, and with the purpose of generating public policies, a Framework Cooperation Agreement in order to establish, promote and support the Blue Zone in the Nicoya Peninsula. Nicoya is located on the Guanacaste peninsula in Costa Rica, and is considered one of the 7 blue zones found worldwide. Due to the Nicoya Peninsula's location in Central America, the area has an abundance of warm days with tons of sunlight. Who knows, maybe it will change your life! Its one of our favorite places in Costa Rica and most likely where we would move if we ever moved to the beach. Reporter Dan Buettner closed by saying "it is a great honor to see the results of the idea of researching the issue of longevity that emerged fifteen years ago is coming to fruition in the meeting of the major scientific researchers on the subject of Blue Zones." By Ty and Charlene Bollinger. March 2nd, 2023. Soltara Healing Center is located on the calm and pristine Gulf of Nicoya in the mountainous jungle of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. Nicoyans eat a light dinner early in the evening. There are plenty of good-for-you activities to keep you busy on the Nicoya Peninsula jump in the water with a surfboard or snorkel, get up high on a zipline, stretch out with a yoga class, or take a hike (call it forest bathing if you wish) in a nature reserve. Loma Linda, California. Nicoya isn't full of marathon runners . Some of the roads in Nicoyas interior and south arent paved, so the deeper you go into the peninsula the more you may prefer to fly (for example, its a 20-minute flight from San Jos to the tiny Tambor airport in the south). Just note, you might have trouble finding a place to stay. So why is it that the people of Nicoya outlive so many others? Throughout Costa Rica, youll find vegetarian gallo pinto (rice and beans) served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner the name means spotted rooster because the black beans dot the rice. Its difficult to maintain family bonds and friendships when school and work take us far from home, into strange communities. In mid-November 2017, the first World Meeting of Blue Zones was held. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90.. Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula joins Sardinia, Italy, Okinawa, Japan, Lima Linda, California, and Icaria, Greece as one of the world's five blue zones. Swimming holes dot the peninsula too, including beneath the Montezuma waterfall. In terms of a definition, these zones are geographical areas with a high concentration of long-lived populations, who frequently reach ninety or one hundred years of age. Meanwhile, last year the average individual from the United States ate 222.2 pounds of meat and poultry. Required fields are marked *, car rental deal! Though Chicago is not one of those cities that uses the template outlined in the Blue Zones Project, the city could adapt to the Blue Zones principals. Residents of this 80-mile peninsula found south of the Nicaraguan border have the world's lowest middle-age mortality rates, and the second highest number of male centenarians in the world. About two hours down the coast from Tamarindo is Nosara, Nicoyas yoga center (the Nosara Yoga Institute here offers teacher training). It's also one of the happiest places in Central America: Costa Ricans report a high level of life satisfaction and the country has the highest literacy rate in Latin America. Of course, there is still a desire for success (especially in the cities) but in general, the priorities are shifted. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The term "Blue Zone" was first used in a 2005 National Geographic cover story entitled "The Secret of Long Life" written by a man named Dan Buettner. The peak nesting time is from August to November and in the days before a new moon, thousands of turtles congregate in the Pacific waiting for the perfect time to come ashore and dig a hole to lay their eggs. Not only do they live longer, their metabolism is better, the levels of cognitive impairment are lower, and they function at a higher level. Tamarindo is the most popular destination for international visitors with its golden beaches, many with consistent and gentle surfing waves, and nearby national parks and wildlife refuges. Nicoya is a small, rural beach community located on the Guanacaste peninsula on the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Lane cites the impact of COVID-19 on minorities like Blacks and Hispanics throughout Chicago. According to researchers, most inhabitants live to at least the age of 90. Surprisingly, happiness and keeping a focus on family are two of the main components. Here are some of the factors that make Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula a blue zone worth visiting. This provides the nutrition they need to work hard during the day. According to the most recent data from the Ministry of Health, this region will be painted blue for many years to come, as over 900 people over 90 have been recorded, along with over 5,000 inhabitants over 75, the majority of whom enjoy good health in their old age. Try our meal idea that reflects elements of the Nicoyan Peninsula Blue Zoners' diet. They feel needed and want to contribute to a greater good. The surroundings dictate ways of operating, not personal decisions. The Nicoya Peninsula, in Costa Rica, is one of them, . Tamarindo is also a great place for solo travelers. When that day comes, Nicoyas Blue Zone will continue to be an example of the resiliency of the human body and spirit. Thanks to the peninsula's reputation as one of these Blue Zones, Nicoya has become a haven for digital detox. That sense of purpose drives them in all aspects of their lives. Costa Rica is one of the few tropical countries where its safe to drink tap water even for foreigners and theres no need to buy plastic water bottles. What are Blue Zones? Sardinia, Italy. He worked with several notable anthropolgists, dieticians, historians, and geneticists to identify and further understand what contributes to a long lifespan. Imagine yourself in a future not-so-distant, where more conscious lifestyle decisions you make at an individual level, are supported by a branch of medicine that attempts to change the course of diseases and regenerates failing parts of our bodies. Physical activity, diet, good mineral-rich water, friends, a satisfying job, eating light in the evening, and a "plan de vida" are the other aspects. Dan discovered five places where residents have low rates of chronic disease and live longer than anywhere else. But we must also consider the impact of our individual health and lifestyle choices on future generations. 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 . Buettner had spent several years before penning the article leading expeditions including tracing Darwins route in the Galapagos and Marco Polos trip along the Silk Road. The world has a number of 'Blue Zones', areas where the locals live healthier and longer lives. The occasion was also used to release the most recent study on longevity by the Institute of Social Studies in Population (Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Poblacin, IDESPO) at the National University of Costa Rica.