BLUE ZONES | ABOUT

People Living More Fulfilling and Longer Lives

What Are Blue Zones?

Blue Zones is an anthropological concept that describes the characteristic lifestyles and the environments of the world's longest-lived people. The term first appeared as an international concept in the November 2005 National Geographic magazine cover story "The Secrets of a Long Life" by Dan Buettner. 

Where Are They?

The concept grew out of demographic work done by Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain outlined in the Journal of Experimental Gerontology, who identified Sardinia's Nuoro Province as the region with the highest concentration of male centenarians. As the two men zeroed in on the cluster of villages with the highest longevity, they drew concentric blue circles on the map and began referring to the area inside the circle as the Blue Zone.

Why Are They Important?

The researchers discovered common characteristics between these Blue Zones enabled people to not only live longer, but  more fulfilling lives:

1. Moderate, regular physical activity
2. A sense of purpose in life
3. Lower levels of stress
4. Moderate eating habits
5. Balanced diet and quality of nutrition
6. Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine
7. Engagement in spirituality or religion
8. Engagement in family life
9. Some form of social anchoring

FLANDERS | BELGIUM

creating a man-made Blue Zone

We've been busy for the past 10 years, building new living neighborhoods, creating new and innovative solutions life-enablement to address our synthesis of Blue Zone characteristics into four key spheres of influencing your life: Autonomy, Vitality, Social Anchoring, and Integrated Care. 

We are already on our way to make Flanders (Belgium) a man-made Blue Zone at our 5 sites: Haspengouw, Geluwe, Ronse, Aunove, Bree and coming soon to Puurs.  We will be launching in 16 new locations across rural Flanders by 2030.  We use our physical presence as the hub of Blue Zone activity, education, and life-enablement across rural Flanders.  We will touch 5 million people by 2030, and shortly begin expanding outwards towards the rest of rural Europe and beyond.

Explore

LIFE-ENABLEMENT | EMPOWERING THE INDIVIDUAL

The Power of Community

Autonomy

Keeping control and governance over your own life, organizing yourself, and taking charge of your life, on your own or with help from your community
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Vitality

Maintaining a lower risk and healthy lifestyle, staying active, and being mindful of your body and spirit, through your own initiative or with help from others around you

Social Anchoring

Better integrated into the neighborhood, establishing a sense of community, and being a giver and receiver of community support

Integrated Care

Integrated community-assisted self-managed care, and obtaining a-la-carte care when and where you want it, from care professionals, or the community you know and trust

JOIN US | ALLIANCES & PARTNERSHIPS

Build on our Blue Zone platform

We have taken the time to build a physical and virtual infrastructure for partners to join us and help create a wider reach for the first man-made Blue Zone in Flanders.  We are looking for peers and professionals who provide products and services in the areas of Autonomy, Vitality, Social Anchoring, and Care, along with infrastructure like life-enablement data, analytics, information management, and cryptocurrency.