Blue Light vs. Blue Zones : A Choice for the Modern Mind
We all know, or at least have heard, about the detrimental effects that Blue Light — the type of light emitted from our cell phones, tablets, and computers — is having on our #wellbeing. A recent article from Harvard Health Publishing outlined the dark side of our modern lifestyle habits (i.e. Checking our cell phones first thing in the morning, staring at multiple screens at once, and relying on our screens for almost all elementary tasks).
As an Urban Wellness Consultant, I see almost all my clients struggling to balance technology usage, with productive and healthy lifestyle choices. Higher levels of stress, shorter attention spans, and fragmented communication, are only a few of the side effects of mindless technology use.
Many of us know that blue light is detrimental to our health, and unfortunately that is only the first step in creating long lasting change. The next part of the process, which is most important is understanding HOW to redesign our lives to support a balanced way of living.
Now, let me introduce #bluezones : An exploratory study done by Dan Buetter to highlight the miraculous mystery behind the world’s longest living societies. Buettner went on a worldwide adventure, and intentional journey to discover what makes people live longest, live happiest, and live well. The result he discovered — Blue Zones.
Blue zones are longevity hotspots and point to very interesting insights for us urban dwellers to consider; proving that our environment is in fact influenced by our environment. Pointing us to our 8 specific ways to live healthier, longer lives.
In an effort to streamline your reading, here’s an #urbanreframe on how to make this information practical in your busy life.
Move Naturally: Take the stairs! Walk to your colleagues desk. Walk anywhere in your city within 30 minutes and allot enough time in your schedule to make it work. Schedule walking meetings, pick up your errands/food instead of getting it delivered.
Purpose: Wake up for a reason. Remind yourself what that is. Title your alarm clock to match that. Set reminders throughout the day to refocus your attention. Put notes and quotes that inspire you around your apartment or office area.
Downshift: Come up with a routine that helps you #downshift from stress. Learn to incorporate essential oils, meditation, intentional breathwork, stretching, binaural beats, color light therapy. Adding some, or all of these techniques to your day will reduce stress astronomically.
80% Rule: Limit your consumption (food, media, alcohol) to 80%. #ConsciousConsumption is a crucial habit to help you create long lasting and sustainable change.
Plant Slant: Choose two days a week when you’ll eat meat, and embrace the vegetable, plant-based diet on the other days. Shifting this and creating boundaries for your weekly intake will help you nourish your body, not just physically but spiritually as well.
Wine at 5: Drinking wine is a spirit. Joined with family and friends, wine helps to elevate the mundane in a spiritual way. Bring your team to a wine tasting, share a bottle with your roomates. Use this as a tool for socialization and not just pure satisfaction.
Belong: Find a spiritual community that allows for you to feel connected to something greater. Volunteer at a studio you love. Join meetup groups that align with your passions. Attend a faith based served 4x month and you’ll experience exponential longevity (4–14 years).
Loved Ones First: DO what you can to value and prioritize your family, make time, live close by, support and honor them. These bonds are biological. Create a weekly family call to connect with siblings, cousins, in-laws. Use zoom or skype to really check in with people, don’t just text them.
Right Tribe: Reassess who you are spending time with. Vibes are contagious. If you have negative work culture, do what you can to actively connect with and offset the negativity with new friends. Vibrate higher with a chosen tribe not just convenient friends.
Designing our modern lifestyles to meet these criteria may not always be easy, but embracing the science behind real, authentic human connection — to our natural environment, our communities, our passions, and our social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, is the first step in welcoming in healthier, happier living.
Start with one thing that sounds appealing, notice its impacts, and then add something new when you are ready. Life is a process, and a journey. Each day is a new day leading you to live your best life — if you so choose.
#strikeabalance — Alexa Eden