Learn about why Proton Therapy can provide an important alternative to traditional radiation treatment. This form of treatment which was only available in other parts of the USA now means that residents will have this form of treatment on their doorstep.
Engage Estero Safety Council is made of volunteers serving as a voice for the citizens of greater Estero on safety and transportation priorities and issues. We advocate for related solutions to Village, County, and State Government organizations.
Road Safety in Greater Estero By Contributing Author, Mark Novitski, and Engage Estero Consultant. Everyone has their definition of what determines road safety or, conversely, what makes our roads unsafe. In writing extensively about Corkscrew Road, I have...
Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comprtroller Kevin Karnes is now offering an alert notification system for Lee County property owners to reduce fraud. When you sign-up, if a deed, mortgage, or other non-Court official record is recorded in your name, you will be...
Engage Estero Environment Council is a volunteer group focusing on improving water and air quality and mitigating and eliminating the effects of climate warming in greater Estero.
During the weekend of April 6th, Engage Estero’s team of volunteers, organized by Julie Yellig, collected 360 pounds of bagged litter. A total of 2.2 tons of litter has been collected since the end of April 2023 (the end of last season), and an astonishing 10 tons...
by Mark Novitski, Consultant to Engage Estero. Mia McCormick, Advocate, Environment Florida, identifies why we need wildlife crossings: “Each year, animals at risk of extinction die when cars and creatures collide on Florida roadways. It is the number one cause of...
Engage Estero Community Health Council comprises health* and safety-minded volunteers who think about community health comprehensively with a common desire to improve the overall health of the citizens of greater Estero.
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The facts Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 300,000 lives annually. Approximately 95 percent of SCA victims die before they reach a hospital or receive medical attention. How Can We Help Reduce This...
Engage Estero mobilizes volunteers in our schools, sponsors scholarships, and promotes the involvement of the community through announcements and public forums.
By Mike Wasson, Director, Engage Estero The Village of Estero Council issued a Proclamation its Meeting on Wednesday, March 6th honoring 39 Estero High School Students who were presented the Cambridge Outstanding Learners Awards. In his remarks, Jon McLain, Village of...
The Future Plans for our Schools and Students' Education in Greater EsteroBrought to you by the Engage Estero Education Councilby Mark Novitski, Consultant to Engage EsteroPrincipal Leslie Gunderson in her office at Pinewoods Elementary School behind a table full of...
Engage Estero believes the best way to get a community involved is to make sure they are aware of the issues impacting their future, and know how to impact those decisions before they are made. We conduct and publish original research and articles aimed at getting residents Engaged.
During the recent Engage Estero Community Meeting on January 25th at the Estero Recreational Center, Jodi Walborn, Blue Zones, and Policy Lead discussed the thought-provoking but realistic insight into what we can do to increase our life expectancy and quality of life.
Those who may have seen the short Netflix series, “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” will have been intrigued by the information discussed. Blue Zones are specific locations in different parts of the world where people live extended lives, consistently reaching the age of 100.
In contrast, according to the CDC, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 77 years: Dan Buettner, a National Geographic explorer, identified five such Blue Zones. He explained, “And it’s not just about longer lives; it’s about healthier ones, too,” says Caitlin McAfee, a wellness dietitian at Houston Methodist. “People living in Blue Zones are also much less likely to suffer from chronic illnesses.
Jodi explained that several commonalities could be seen when each location was examined in detail. These are summarized below.
The world’s longest-lived people don’t pump iron, run marathons, or join gyms. Instead, they live in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it.
Make Movement the Norm:
Gardening: Gardening is a great way to be physically active daily while reducing stress. It involves many movements that may improve flexibility, strength, endurance, and balance. Plus, you reap the benefits of having plenty of fresh veggies!
Make things from scratch! Spend time in the kitchen making fresh bread and meals. Not only does this keep you moving, but it gives you healthier options to eat!
Strengthen Your Social Connections: Getting active is more fun when you have company. Establish a regular time to walk/run/swim/paddle/hike with your “moai” – a group of lifelong friends
Inconvenience Yourself in small ways:
Knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to 7 years of extra life expectancy. The Okinawans call it “ikigai,” and the Nicoya’s call it “plan de vida”—for both, it translates to “why I wake up in the morning.”
Your purpose is made up of:
Stress leads to chronic inflammation associated with every major age-related disease.
What is your stress relief?
Saying “Hara hachi bu,” the 2,500-year-old Confucian mantra, before meals reminds Okinawans to stop eating when their stomach is 80% full.
People in the blue zones eat an impressive variety of garden vegetables when they are in season, and then they pickle or dry the surplus to enjoy during the off-season. The best-of-the-best longevity foods are leafy greens such as spinach, kale, beet and turnip tops, chard, and collards. Combined with seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans dominate Blue Zone meals year-round. Beans, greens, yams, sweet potatoes, fruits, nuts, and seeds should all be favored.
Research suggests that 30-year-old vegetarian Adventists will likely outlive their meat-eating counterparts by as many as eight years.
In the original blue zones, five longevity hotspots worldwide, socializing with friends is an important part of life. Okinawans have moais, groups of people who travel through life together. Sardinians finish their days at a local bar, chatting with friends they’ve known all their lives—and Adventists potluck.
Belonging to a faith-based or shared-belief community and actively participating in that belief four times monthly can add 4-14 years of life expectancy.
Happy, healthy centenarians in the Blue Zones areas put their families first. This can take shape in many ways, from keeping your aging parents and grandparents in or near your home to being in a positive, committed relationship, which can add up to 6 years of life expectancy.
The world’s longest-lived people are either born into or choose to create social circles that support healthy behaviors. Research from Framingham Studies shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious. Assessing who you hang out with and then proactively surrounding yourself with the right friends will do more to add years to your life than just about anything else.
The nine identified common aspects summarized above are not listed in order of importance. In fact, one of the key aspects that appears to have the greatest impact on helping extend people’s lives is those who proactively surround themselves with the right friends. This will do more to add years to your life than just about anything else! Conversely, those who sadly live in isolation and are lonely will end up with a reduction in life expectancy.
Engage Estero thanks Jodi for the insights on this important topic. An experiment undertaken in the USA has shown that if many of the items listed above are incorporated into one’s lifestyle, assisted by the local community, positive increases in life expectancy can and do result!
By Allan Bowditch, Chair, Communications Committee
This article is presented for informational purposes and is not meant to be used as medical advice. Consult a physician for personalized medical advice and before making radical changes to your lifestyle.
