We all pay attention to morning and bedtime routines, however, have you even thought about how you spend your afternoons, and its impact on your longevity?
If you work in an office, chances are your midday revolves around getting as much work done as possible before the evening.
However, is this mix of stress, along with a post-lunch slump weighing you down, a healthy way to spend your middays, day after day?
According to Well + Good, if you want to adopt habits followed by the longest living people on the Earth, here is an analysis by Robert Agnello, DO, assistant professor of family medicine at Campbell University, who has studied the Blue Zones – Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; and Sardinia, Italy.
1. Prioritize purpose, not productivity
People in the Blue Zones spend their entire day aligning it with the purpose of their life, and the same holds true for their afternoons. This doesn’t mean you stop doing your work. However, it may benefit you to take some time out to focus on the bigger picture, and not fret over every small hurdle in your day. This can help promote feelings of fulfillment, happiness and a sense of clarity.
2. Take time out to eat lunch with others
Of course you can get more work done by cutting down your lunch hour or by eating at your desk while working, but is that truly how you want to spend your lunch time?
Make lunch an opportunity to cease and act as a break. Eat it with your colleagues and talk about things outside of work. Lunch can be a bonding experience that will eventually help you connect with your co-workers and feel refreshed.
3. Make time to move
The Blue Zones approach fitness by fitting in natural movement throughout the day. They do not sit all day and then pump iron at the gym for an hour. Rather, they stay active throughout the day by going for walks, playing soccer and riding bikes.
In the afternoon, find time to move in a way that’s enjoyable and manageable to you. If you have a busy schedule, a simple walk should do the trick.
4. Make time to socialize
Social connection plays an incredible role in the longevity of people living in the Blue Zones. Humans are by nature social creatures, so we need strong bonds with other people for our emotional and physical well-being.
Make lunch plans with your coworkers, take coffee breaks, or give a call to your mom or a friend. All these tiny forms of connection can help you feel more connected to your community.
5. Recharge with a nap
Napping is common across all Blue Zones. It can be energizing to power you over the dreaded midday slump. A longitudinal study that involved more than 20,000 Greek people found a correlation between regular napping and heart health, which is a key piece of preserving longevity, Dr. Agnello says. Take a 15-30 minute nap in the afternoon.
