Give Yourself a Happiness Makeover: Be a Blue Zoner! by Marilynn Preston on Creators.com

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Give Yourself a Happiness Makeover: Be a Blue Zoner!

I've been a fan of the Blue Zones ever since I visited my first one a couple of years ago — the remote and magnificent Greek island of Ikaria, one of the few places on the planet where people live longer, and better, and die happier than most other people in the world.

What do Ikarians do that keeps them so vital, so joyful, for so long? The answer to that is what makes it a Blue Zone — a place where people eat real food, and have real friends, and wake up every morning with a real purpose, whether it be opening the shop, minding the children or harvesting the field greens.

I loved my time in Ikaria, especially our too-short visit to one of the mountain villages that has turned time upside down, so that villagers rest during the day and do their business activity at night. I'm planning to go back to this Land of Longevity this summer, for more study, and a lot more of their special honey and red wine. But times are tough in Greece, and the ferry schedule is spotty. We'll see how it goes, the mantra of every adventure traveler since Ulysses.

Meanwhile, the big brain behind the Blue Zones — longevity expert Dan Buettner — has a new book out called "Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way." (www.BlueZones.com)

His research shows that there are plenty of things you can do to become a Blue Zoner yourself. He was kind enough to outline 10 of them in an article he wrote for the AARP magazine — "Give Yourself a Happiness Makeover" — and here they are, in brief, with my embellishments:

10. IGNITE YOUR PASSION FOR COMPASSION. Giving makes us feel good, and studies show givers tend to be happier people. And it's not just giving money that counts. Giving your time and attention — reading to a kid, volunteering at a hospital — also cranks up your joy needle.

9. GAIN PEACE WITH A POOCH. Research shows that pets foster self-esteem, calmness and a feeling of acceptance. (I'm not sure this applies to Siamese cats.) True Blue Zoners will look for rescue pets at local, ethical animal shelters.

8. CREATE A SUNNY SANCTUARY. Bring more pleasure into your life by decorating a popular spot in your house with things you're proud of: photos, awards, favorite rocks.

Or dedicate a room to something you love: playing the piano, reading a book, practicing yoga or meditation. The more natural light you build in, the more serotonin will flow, and the happier you'll feel.

7. MEET, PRAY, LOVE. If you want to live longer, be a believer! In something. Find a community of people who share your beliefs, and meet with them more than once a week, and you're likely to live seven years longer than people who don't. Seven years! Holy moly!

6. FIND YOUR SOUL MATE. Buettner reports that people in long-term committed relationships suffer less stress, have fewer diseases and live longer. So if you're stuck in an unhappy relationship, find the courage to move on.

5. GET A DAILY DOSE OF FRIENDS. Liking someone on Facebook is not the same as making a friend — at least, not the kind that counts when it comes to your happiness. Research shows that America's happiest people "purposefully plan for social times and get at least six hours a day of interaction with friends or family."

4. TRIM YOUR TV TIME. You know who you are.

3. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MORNING. A good night's sleep is crucial to long-term happiness. So is eating a healthy breakfast and doing some exercise for 30 minutes or more. Told you so.

2. STOP SHOPPING: START SAVING. Fascinating research shows that financial security brings much more happiness than buying stuff. The take-home? Be less materialistic. More stuff won't bring you lasting joy. Minimizing worry will. So pay down your mortgage, invest in good health insurance, save money.

So what do you think Dan Buettner listed as his No. 1 step to improve your happiness? A hint: It has nothing to do with a weekend in Vegas or another tattoo. Email me at myenergyexpress@aol.com, and let me know your best guess.

ENERGY EXPRESS-O! I'M HAPPY TO REPORT SHE'S RIGHT

"Children are happy because they don't have a file in their heads called "All the Things That Could Go Wrong." — Marianne Williamson

Marilynn Preston — fitness expert, well being coach and speaker on healthy lifestyle issues — is the creator of Energy Express, the longest-running syndicated fitness column in the country. She has a website, http://marilynnpreston.com and welcomes reader questions, which can be sent to MyEnergyExpress@aol.com. To find out more about Preston and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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