Photo by Stewart Ferebee
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Living Healthy to 100
By Dan Buettner, May & June 2008
See 100-year-old Panchita Castillo in action, and learn secrets of longevity from centenarians in Costa Rica
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Costa Rican Secrets to a Long Life
Try these lifestyle practices common to the centenarians in Costa Rica’s Blue Zone.
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.
Adapted with permission of the National Geographic Society from the book The Blue Zone: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who's Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner. Copyright © 2008 Dan Buettner. All rights reserved.
Video courtesy of Blue Zones.
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