In certain parts of the world known as “Blue Zones”, people tend to live a lot longer. In fact, well beyond 100 years is fairly common. It’s no secret that life expectancy is much higher in these regions… the secret is in why it’s so.
Dan Buettner is a longevity expert, and the author of The Blue Zones Kitchen, a special kind of cookbook. It brings together the science of longevity and the diets followed by residents of Blue Zones. (1) In his studies of the lifestyles of people who live into the triple digits, he has noticed certain similarities. Gardening is one of them.
Want To Live Beyond 100 Years? Build A Garden.
“[In] all Blue Zones, people continue to garden even into their 90s and 100s,” said Buettner. “Gardening is the epitome of a Blue Zone activity because it’s sort of a nudge: You plant the seeds and you’re going to be nudged in the next three to four months to water it, weed it, harvest it. And when you’re done, you’re going to eat an organic vegetable, which you presumably like because you planted it.” (2)
As you might expect, people who lead healthier lives tend to live longer. In studying the behavior of Blue Zones inhabitants Mr. Buettner has been able to pinpoint certain key areas that make a big difference where longevity is concerned. Those who garden find themselves checking a few of the important boxes.
Tending A Garden Means Moving Naturally
Folks who live a long and healthy life tend to move their bodies often. But this doesn’t mean they spend an hour a day at spin class, or that they never skip leg day. They may not even have a leg day or a regular gym. People who “move naturally” do things like walk to work, and take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with setting aside an hour for the gym, or setting the intention of working out every day. The point with “moving naturally” is that the movements you make with your body are a natural part of your day and your life. There is an ebb and flow to your activity, it’s not just go-go-go all the time. With the garden, you can just water your plants, then move on to something else. Come back later and do a little weeding. The garden becomes a part of your life. (2)
Sew The Seeds Of Mental Health With A Garden
Turns out that gardening is great for your brain, too. A 2006 study found that maintaining physical activity, in particular daily gardening, helped to stave off the effects of dementia. (3) It makes sense; being outdoors in the fresh air, moving naturally, and caring for another living thing is a great way to keep yourself in the here and now.
A Garden Gives You Good Grub
Tying it all together is the fruits of your labor: the actual edible food that you have moved naturally and cared selflessly to bring about! This food is your creation. You worked in tandem with Mother Nature to invite these little seeds to grow and thrive. Each day you visit, water and weed these plots of earth, coaxing more life from each plant until one day it bears food that in turn gives you life.
You see how very integral you are to the ecosystem, and to your own good health as well. You appreciate the work that went into this tomato or pepper or head of lettuce, and you have a relationship with your food… the source of your body’s nourishment.
In this way, it’s so easy to see how tending a garden can contribute to longevity. It would be hard for it not to! With so many important pillars of a healthy lifestyle built right into the activity, it’s like we humans were practically made to commune with the land.
