A Conversation with Buettner - Author of the Blue Zones

A Conversation with Dan Buettner,
Author of The Blue Zones: Secrets of Living Longer
 
 
“I imagine that people who play chess and are in the tournament  world love the sport . They  love the community and the competition . The players have the skill and passion and have an outlet to express themselves. They have a sense of purpose.”
 
 
 
Dan Buettner is an award-winning author and host of the Netflix Series, The Blue Zones. He has travelled around the world studying and learning the secrets of various communities how they live longer and thrive.
 
I had an opportunity to chat with Dan via Whatsapp from his cabin in Wisconsin.
 
Ken: I read your book, Blue Zones  and I'm familiar with your excellent Netflix series released in 2022.
 
Do you distinguish  Blue Zone categories between the physical and the social secrets?
 
Dan: In my work, of course, I talk a lot about physical activity being intergrated as part of your daily live.
 
Nobody in Blue zones are doing high intensity gym workouts . They don't lift weights . They don't do  Pilates or CrossFit . They just move naturally all day long , walking , gardening, doing household chores every 20 minutes.
So what  seems to be the best physical activity for people  in the long run is movement throughout the day.
 
But starting around  2005  when I was writing the articles and books for National Geographic , I started seeing a lot of evidence that having a variety of people  in your social circles can make a big difference in your overall health.
 
Even  low level social interactions count  - like your neighbors or your grocery story clerk - can be a big predictor of happiness .
 
And, of course, having at least  three friends  that you can count  on a to chat with after a rough day can add about five years to  eight years to your life expectancy.
 
Creating Your Tribe through Chess
So, I   know it’s a bit of cliché to say  chess is good mental exercise and will help  stave off cognitive decline,  but I think the more powerful benefit of chess actually is the social connectivity .
 
I think that the friendships that are made in the process of playing chess and playing in  tournaments helps people in very powerful ways.
 
Humans  tend to connect over shared interests and and we found in our Blue Zone work that when we proactively connect people and help them identify what their interests and their purpose is , it can makes a big difference.
 
In our work , we usually just focus it around walking or eating whole food plant based but it doesn't really matter.
 
Chess is a perfect way to connect people .
 
There seems to be kind of a tipping point after about ten meetings from the transition from a stranger to a friend.
 
These high quality social connections with people are invaluable. 
 
I imagine that people who play chess and are in the tournament  world love the sport . They  love the community and the competition . The players have the skill and passion and have an outlet to express themselves. They have a sense of purpose.
 
So with all these things, the chess  community provides many of the building blocks of longevity.
 
Ken: Can I flip the conversation here and ask if your Blue Zone cities might want an introduction to chess as a way of creating community?
 
Dan: Yes, that’s an interesting notion. Let’s stay in touch about that.
 
Ken: Do you have any other Blue Zone recommendations for the chess community?
 
Dan:
From our conversation, I think it’s clear that the amount of concentration and focus required to play is a good thing for young people.
 
Clearly playing chess must be better than getting distracted every minute by social media.
 
Ken: Indeed, when you see young players concentrating and playing for three hours plus, intuitively you know that the deep focus must be doing some good things for them neurologically and behaviorally.
 
Any additional Blue Zone advice that you have for the Chess community?
 
Dan: If you could ask your chess community to introduce fresh fruits, nuts, whole foods to the snack and food concessions, I bet you would have better performance and healthier kids.
 
Ken: Duly noted! 
 
Dan: And take more walks in between rounds!
 
 
Here are some of the Blue Zone Rules from Dan Buettner’s Book and Netflix Series
 

1. *Move Naturally*: Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, gardening, or other low-intensity exercises.
2. *Purpose*: Have a sense of direction and meaning in life, which can come from work, family, or community.
3. *Downshift*: Manage stress through relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or prayer.
4. *80% Rule*: Eat until you're 80% full, avoiding overeating and practicing mindful eating.
5. *Plant-Based Diet*: Focus on consuming plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
6. *Wine @ 5*: Enjoy moderate amounts of wine or other beverages, if desired, as part of social rituals.
7. *Belong*: Be part of a community or social network that provides support and connection.
8. *Loved Ones First*: Prioritize family and loved ones, fostering strong relationships and social connections.
9. *Right Tribe*: Surround yourself with people who share similar values and support healthy behaviors.
10. *Community*: Live in an environment that promotes walkability, social interaction, and a sense of belonging.
 
New Rules added from the Blue Zones 2022 Netflix Series 
 
1.    *WFPB Diet*: Eat a plant-based diet that is 90-100% whole-food and plant-based.
2. *Natural Movement*: Engage in natural movement every 20 minutes, such as walking or household chores, instead of concentrated bursts of exercise.
3. *Social Connections*: Prioritize family and social connections, and surround yourself with people who reinforce healthy behaviors.
4. *Sense of Purpose*: Know your purpose and live by it, being clear on your values and finding an outlet that provides good for others.