Live by the nine rules of longevityalso known as the Power 9and have a happier,longer life?
Experts say it’s possible.
That means our lifestyle can have a huge impact on our longevity.
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Another thing impacting our longevity:Loneliness is becoming an epidemic, especially in big cities.
According to thesurgeon general, isolation is as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.
Human contact seems to have a new luxury.
In Amsterdam, for example, everyone rides a bike.
How can you find it?
Easier said than done, right?
The secret, Buettner says, is to incorporate stress-relieving rituals into our daily routines like blue-zone dwellers do.
When it comes to diet, doctors and nutritionists recommend following the 80% rule.
How to put this into practice?
The inhabitants of Okinawa recite an ancient Confucian mantra (hara hachi bu) before meals.
In his book Buettner says peopledrink local winein moderation.
The community can also be secular.
Do you love a sport?
Join a fan club.
If reading is your passion, join a book club.
Just belong to feel part of a tribe or group.
Blue-zone dwellers stay close to their loved ones.
(By growing up with grandparents, children get sick less, Buettner says.)
Friendships are like plants: They need to be nurtured.
This article originally appeared inVogueItaly.
