What are Blue Zones? How Blue Zones Promote Longevity

Discovering The Secrets To A Longer, Healthier Life

For those who aspire not just to live longer but to live better, the concept of Blue Zones offers both inspiration and a blueprint. Based on global research led by National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner, these extraordinary communities offer a real world glimpse into what it means to thrive well into your 90s and 100s with vitality, purpose, and joy.

Buettner’s research revealed that while genetics account for about 20% of how long the average person lives, lifestyle and environment contribute a remarkable 80%. In other words, how we live matters far more than many realize.

“20 percent of how long the average person lives is dictated by genes, while about 80 percent is influenced by lifestyle and environment,” says Buettner.

What Is a Blue Zone?

Blue Zones are regions around the world where people live long, healthy lives. These areas include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California. In each of these communities, people commonly reach the age of 100, often without the chronic diseases that plague so many in the Western world.

While the average life expectancy in the United States is about 77 years, in Blue Zones it's not unusual to meet vibrant, active centenarians. These individuals benefit from shared lifestyle habits known as the Power 9® which contribute to longevity and well-being:

1. Move Naturally: Daily physical activity is built into life. Think walking, gardening, or light biking.
2. Purpose: Residents have a reason to get up each morning, whether it’s family, faith, or community involvement.
3. Downshift: Manage stress through rituals like prayer, naps, or time with loved ones.
4. 80% Rule: Eat until you're 80% full and avoid overeating.
5. Plant Slant: Diets lean heavily on plant-based foods, legumes, and whole grains.
   
6. Wine at 5: A glass of wine a day with friends and food.
   
7. Belong: Most belong to a faith-based community or a social group.
   
8. Loved Ones First: Family comes first, and elders are deeply respected.
9. Right Tribe: Supportive social circles that encourage healthy behaviors.

Why Naples, Florida, Is One of the Only Blue Zone Communities in the U.S.

Naples, Florida has earned a rare distinction: it is only of only a few certified Blue Zone Communities in the United States. This recognition was awarded not because of tradition or geography, but because of a conscious, community-wide effort to embrace the Power 9®.

Here’s what sets Naples, FL apart:

• Natural Movement: The city’s walkability and abundance of outdoor amenities like biking, boat, golf, pickleball, and tennis make it easy for residents to stay active, naturally.
• Access to Fresh Foods: From farmer’s markets to health-conscious grocers and restaurants, Naples supports plant-forward living.
• Strong Social Engagement: Naples’ residents form meaningful, strong social connections through volunteering, civic events, and neighborhood gatherings.
• Purpose-Driven Living: Many retirees here find renewed purpose through mentoring, philanthropy, and lifelong learning.

These elements have helped transform Naples into a community where the longevity lifestyle is not just an idea; it's a way of life.

How Moorings Park Communities Embodies the Blue Zone Lifestyle

At Moorings Park Communities, we believe that longevity isn’t just about adding years to life - it’s about adding life to years. As one of the most respected Life Plan Communities in the nation, we’ve woven Blue Zone principles into every aspect of our three luxurious Naples campuses.

"Since its inception, Moorings Park Communities was designed around the concept that its residents would live longer, happier, and healthier lives, which perfectly emulates the concept behind the Blue Zones Project®," says Dan Lavender, CEO and President of Moorings Park Communities.

Moorings Park Communities offer:

• Healthy Menu Options: Five-star restaurants serve meals centered around whole foods, lean proteins, and fresh, local produce, designed to nourish and delight.
• Centers for Healthy Living: The Centers for Healthy Living feature yoga, strength training, balance classes, and more. Our programs encourage consistent, moderate activity aligned with Blue Zone habits.
• Purpose-Driven Programming: Residents participate in volunteer work, leadership roles, clubs, and workshops that provide a sense of fulfillment.
• A Strong Sense of Belonging: From concerts and lectures to social clubs and communal spaces, Moorings Park Communities’ lifestyle fosters connection and meaning.

Dr. Allen Weiss, former President and CEO of the NCH Healthcare System and current CMO of the Blue Zones Project®, played a leading role in the Southwest Florida Blue Zones Project® and maintains a close relationship with Moorings Park Communities, having helped cut the ribbon when the Life Plan Community was officially named a Blue Zones Project® recognized organization in 2016.

Experience the Best in Wellness: Elite Retirement Living

Living at Moorings Park Communities is about more than exceptional residences and elegant amenities. It’s about choosing a lifestyle that celebrates health, happiness, and longevity. Whether you’re savoring a delicious, healthy meal or walking along a scenic trail with new friends, life here is designed to help you thrive.

If you're seeking more than just a beautiful place to live but a longer, healthier, more purposeful life, then Moorings Park Communities invites you to experience what it means to live in one of America’s few certified Blue Zone communities.

Schedule Your Personalized Tour Today

Schedule a tour today and discover how Moorings Park Communities can help you live your best, healthiest life in a true Blue Zone community.