A few years back, I hosted a Pure Joy Wellness retreat in Costa Rica, home to one of the five Blue Zones in the world!

For those unfamiliar with the term, a Blue Zone is a region where people have longer lifespans and extended health-spans, meaning they maintain their vitality well into their elder years. (And I’m not just talking about people who are in their 80s and 90s, we’re talking centenarians!)

The term “Blue Zone” was coined by Dan Buettner in a National Geographic feature called “The Secrets of a Long Life” and he later wrote a book to further explore the concept. Since then, countless people have adopted principles and practices from the Blue Zone lifestyle.