Academic Medicine Open Forum

It's been more than 15 years (!) since Dan Buettner published "Blue Zones," based on his research on populations around the world that live the longest and healthiest lives. In a recent social media post, he offers 5 tips for living healthy to age 100. (Read those tips here, Instagram login not required).

1. Eat a whole-food, plant-based diet.
2. Try to get eight hours of sleep a day.
3. Know and be able to articulate your sense of purpose.
4. Move naturally all day long.
5. Curate four or five friends who have healthy habits.

Last weekend I volunteered at a local Senior Olympics track meet, where I was absolutely inspired by the older athletes in their 70s, 80s, and 90s taking home medals in the walking and running events. Tom, age 90, told me his drive to compete keeps him going. And Gloria, in her 70s, told me her advice for living healthy is this: drink lots of water and keep moving!