The Living Labs of Longevity refers to the Blue Zones around the world which are hot spots of longevity around the world.
These places not only have high concentrations of individuals over 100 years old but also a high proportion of people who had grown old without health problems like heart disease, obesity, cancer or diabetes.
In other words, these Blue Zones give us the blueprint for longevity - Blue Zone Power 9 - a term coined by author and research Dan Buettner.
In his book called The Blue Zones, Dan Buettner identified 5 Blue Zones:
- (a) Icaria, an island in Greece
- (b) Sardinia in Italy
- (c) Okinawa in Japan
- (d) Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica
- (e) Loma Linda in California
This article focuses on "Purpose" on the top right side of the circle in the diagram above. "Purpose" is grouped together with "Down Shift" under "RIGHT OUTLOOK".
Refer to Part 1 and Part 2 of this series for an explanation of "Connect" (Social interaction) and "Down shift" respectively.
People with purpose live longer, are happier and more productive.
1. Why is having a purpose important?
One of the most dangerous years of your life is the year you retire because of a sudden lack of purpose.
In Blue Zones, areas where people live longer, having a purpose in life is often linked to longevity and well-being.
A sense of purpose provides motivation, direction and a reason to wake up every day which can contribute to a healthier lifestyle, reduced stress, and a stronger social network, all of which are common characteristics in these long-lived communities.
2. Concepts of "Purpose" in the Blue Zones
In this article, we focus on 2 concepts of "Purpose" in the Blue Zones.
(a) Ikigai in Okinawa, Japan
(b) Plan de vida in Nicoya, Costa Rica
A. Ikigai in Okinawa, Japan
"Ikigai" is a Japanese concept that translates to "reason for being" or "purpose in life."
In Okinawa, where longevity is common, ikigai plays a significant role. It represents finding joy and fulfillment by aligning one's passions, talents and what the world needs.
The diagram below summarises the concept of ikigai very well.
It will be helpful if you understand the difference between profession and vocation.
A profession Is something you do to earn a living, Vocation is your calling in life.
A profession can be anything from a doctor or painter to a plumber or mechanic. It is usually a job or career that requires formal education and training,
A vocation is a job or career that does more than pay the bills — it fills you with a higher purpose typically related to helping others and contributing to a greater societal good.
Having a strong ikigai contributes to a sense of purpose, promoting a healthier and more fulfilling life, which is believed to contribute to the longevity observed in Okinawa.
Finding your own ikigai involves exploring what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
It's about identifying the intersection of these aspects and integrating them into your life.
B. Plan de vida in Nicoya, Costa Rica
"Plan de vida" is a Spanish term that translates to "life plan" in English.
It refers to a structured outline or roadmap that individuals create to define their goals, aspirations and steps to achieve them across various aspects of life, including career, relationships, personal growth and more.
The concept behind Plan De Vida is the idea of “why I wake up in the morning."
The goals of the people of Nicoya often circulate around simple tasks like going for a walk to visit family, taking care of their crops or riding a horse.
No matter what the goal is or how simple the goal is, the key is to find a sense of purpose.
This purpose is their reason to get up in the morning and can add up more years to their life (7 more years according to research).
To achieve your Plan De Vida, you have to create a healthy work/life balance and find a purpose beyond the daily 9-5 schedule.
Here's something for you ponder for you to determine your Plan De Vida:
(i) Have you thought of your life plan?
(ii) Have you separated your professional and personal life?
(iii) Have you reassess your career objectives?
(iv) Can you discover a deeper purpose in your job beyond financial gain?
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