Research suggests that by February, the majority of people have abandoned their well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions.
In fact, according to a study by the University of Scranton, just eight per cent of people achieve their resolutions.
Some of us set unrealistic goals, find ourselves derailed by unforeseen life events, or can’t see the clear benefits of sticking to our resolutions.
Reforming our habits can prove exceedingly difficult. To sustain motivation, experts suggest setting realistic goals, making incremental changes, and celebrating small wins.
Ageing well is a shared aspiration of many, and can inspire resolutions for healthier, happier, and more active living in 2023 and beyond.
The ‘Blue Zones’ are located in Okinawa, Japan (pictured); Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece and Loma Linda, California.
Inspired by the Blue Zones, being regions around the world where people live the longest, and healthiest lives, in this issue of Connect we present eight stellar resolutions for longevity.
Embrace an active daily routine, moving naturally throughout
the day. Unstructured physical activities, such as walking, cycling
and gardening can yield greater positive impact than structured
workouts.
Nurture strong social connections, making special effort to
connect with loved ones and friends. Blue Zones residents typically
report a strong sense of purpose and belonging, strengthened by
their social connections in the wider community.
Choose whole, unprocessed foods including plenty of fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, and legumes in your diet. People living
in the Blue Zones eat primarily plant-based diets, including moderate
servings of fish, nuts and minimal servings of lean meats and dairy.
Don’t sweat the small stuff! Develop a daily practice to manage
your stress. Meditation, yoga, and tai chi are all excellent ways to
unwind, relaxing both the mind and body.
Exercise your grey matter. Challenge your brain with stimulating
activities, such as reading and puzzles. Better yet, make 2023 the
year you learn a new skill. Learning new skills can help to maintain
cognitive function, boost memory and reduce the risk of age-related
cognitive decline.
Hit the hay! Aim for between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Blue
Zones residents understand the importance of sleep to maintaining
optimal health and prioritise adequate sleep.
Ditch unhealthy habits, such as smoking and excessive alcohol
consumption. Both have well-documented, negative effects on
health. Blue Zones residents have low rates of smoking and excessive
drinking.
Get in the driver’s seat! Preventive screenings, regular check-ups
and doctor’s appointments can help to detect incipient health
problems early, and ensure they can be treated effectively.
