Unusual Lessons from the Blue Zone

For the last couple of years, my husband and I have been on a mission to see the world. We have embraced the live-while-you-work mindset. My favorite places to visit are the blue zones. As a nurse and a health coach, whenever we visit these unique places, I always try to learn their ways and bring little nuggets of knowledge back to my everyday life. I figured like-minded individuals like yourselves would find this information helpful. Here are some of my takeaways that I hope you will enjoy.

Lesson one: Work doesn’t have to define you. Slow living is admirable, too.

My favorite thing I learned is the beauty of slowww. Being in NYC, I have been surrounded by the hustle and bustle culture for several years. It’s a city that never sleeps, so if you aren’t moving or doing something at all times, people think something is wrong. Having lived in a big city since college, I didn’t realize how much this concept impacted me until I left for our first two-month stay abroad. Our first stop was in Italy. There, I learned to slow down. I’ll be honest: I did not do this well initially. I continued to “hack” the European culture, trying to schedule as much as humanly possible to “take advantage” of the entire day. What frightened me most was the “dead zone” of every day, or as Italians like to call it, the time between lunch and dinner. All the shops close, none of the restaurants are open, and you are left to wander the city or take a nap after a pasta-induced coma. To combat this, I created a schedule. I enrolled in an Italian class to create a sense of structure and chip away at my goal of fluency in Italian.

I didn’t realize I was filling this dead zone until an Italian friend questioned me one night over dinner. She said, “Why are you trying to create a work schedule in Italy? We don’t live to work; we work to live. Our jobs don’t define us. Just relax.” It caught me off guard because, up until this point, I didn’t realize that even with all the work I had done on myself, I still fell into the trap of the “hustle.” At that moment, it hit me - I am more than my career. I am more than just the thing I work at or what I do every day. Slowing down and enjoying the moment is equally as important as getting to the next place or the next thing. So, I needed to find the balance.

Since that moment, I have stopped and accepted the gratitude in my life. I journal about things that went well and noted things I’m thankful for throughout the day. In blue zones, people live in the moment and mindfully connect to the world around them. Research even shows that when we stop to find gratitude daily, we live healthier and longer lives. Slowing down decreases cortisol and helps our body find balance. It’s all about finding the power in the slow.

Lesson two: Everyone wants to tell a story; you just need to listen.

Since I was determined to learn Italian during our stay in Italy, I took advantage of every opportunity to talk to anyone. Whether it was someone in a coffee shop, a waiter at a restaurant, or someone who was selling me groceries at the market, I was always trying to talk to locals in Italian. As I felt more and more comfortable, my conversation went beyond just “Hello, how are you?” and asking about the weather to conversations about family and life. I even became friends with people 30 years older than me in my Italian class. Why? Because I learned how to listen. These little interactions create a positive feedback loop that I was not aware of at the time. The more I talked, the more engaged I was. The more engaged I was, the more warm energy I gave off, resulting in even more warm energy I received from other people.

We are social creatures by nature. You probably already know that loneliness increases your risk of death by at least 30%. So why don’t we reach out more to each other? Maybe it’s a business mentality - “I’m too busy to stop and ask this person how their day is,” or “I’m just going to check my phone since it’s easier.”

Since I’ve gotten back, I have tried to talk. I have tried to put my phone away and make conversation with anyone, even if it’s simple and basic. I have tried to embrace the beauty of the connection between strangers and how it can turn a stranger into a friend. There is a sense of community in blue zones—everyone takes care of everyone else. This connection helps individuals live longer, so I’m on a mission to bring this concept into my everyday life.

Lesson Three: Food is more than a love language

I’ve always thought that food is the most unique part of a city’s culture. I always knew it was more than something we eat to sustain ourselves, but I didn’t realize all that food could be. During our time away, I learned that food is history. Every dish created has a backstory, just like every person has a story. For example, Pappa al Pomodoro, a famous Tuscan dish, was created because, at the time, people didn’t have a lot of money, so they could only cook with things they had available to them. This dish was invented to help use up the abundance of tomatoes and uneaten stale bread. This simple dish was made out of necessity, but it is now baked into the culture.

Research shows that creativity is key to living a healthy and long life. One of the best ways blue zone cities utilize creativity is by cooking for others. It doesn’t have to be perfect every time or even that elaborate. It is about using what we can access and providing nourishment for those we love. Doing something for someone else will immediately impact your health in a positive way.

It’s so important to continue to learn and take things with you that support the life you want to live. I would love to hear stories about what you all have learned from traveling to new places.

Exciting news! I have an upcoming webinar on December 7th:

Eat to Energize: Simple Steps to Boost Wellness & Feel More Confident

Do you usually feel deflated or regretful after the holidays? Many people end the season wishing they’d made healthier choices, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Join me for a quick, empowering webinar to learn simple tips to help you feel energized and in control, even with holiday indulgences.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Home-cooked meals: Start with a healthy, balanced meal at home.

• Build a balanced plate: Prioritize protein and fiber first, then add carbs and healthy fats.

• Mindful Eating: Slow down and savor each bite to feel satisfied.

• Movement Matters: Join a family walk or help in the kitchen—these little activities count!

Don’t miss this chance to enjoy the season without feeling drained!

Sign up Here!