Reaching for the Blue Zone: Southwest Florida Says Yes to Well-Being

Jul 14, 2021 03:27PM ● By JEFF LYTLE

When the Blue Zones Project (BZP) launched in Naples in 2015, the expectation was for a grassroots healthy living crusade focusing on Collier County, where the lead sponsor, NCH Healthcare System is the largest medical provider.

Since then the Blue Zones Project has grown into a phenomenon, touching 225,000 people in 730 organizations throughout Collier and into southern Lee County.

The experience has been, as BZP executive director Deb Logan puts it, “beyond amazing.

“It has been an inspiration to see so many in Southwest Florida say yes to well-being,” says Logan. “To witness individuals, as well as organizations such as our schools, worksites, restaurants, homeowners associations and faith-based organizations, embrace the Power 9 principles and other best practices to help make healthy choices easier is powerful.”

Eileen Connolly-Keesler, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Collier County, adds context. “Sometimes it is hard to keep projects going after several years,” she says, “but Blue Zones has done an amazing job and hasn’t let up on their mission.”

The Blue Zones endeavor is based on National Geographic research of locations around the world where people live longest and happiest. Natives’ environment, diets and lifestyles were studied. Author Dan Buettner used this data for magazine articles and a series of best-selling books. His healthy living movement now touches 57 American communities, with chapters across Hawaii and Fort Worth, Texas, even bigger than Southwest Florida’s.

The local impact shows when comparing national Gallup polling done before and after the BZP launch. Collier County has ranked No. 1 in America in a sense of community well-being four years in a row, compared with No. 73 previously.

Now that impact is starting to spread. “We are thrilled to be able to share it with organizations based in South Lee (Estero and Bonita),” says Logan. “Individuals living farther north often will drive down to engage in our events, and they are hoping we can expand our reach in the future. We hope so too! The will of the community, as well as funding, will tell if that is a possibility.”

Nolen Rollins has the distinction of helping two Lee County organizations connect with the BZP: Estero’s Legacy Church and Estero Chamber of Commerce. He sees a “perfect alignment” of BZP and scriptural principles such as neighborliness, taking good care of our health and embracing worthwhile missions and life purposes.

BZP membership, he notes, has meant doughnuts are off the menu for church gatherings. BZP’s goal of a better quality of life for all provides a “natural connection” with the chamber, he explains.

Shangri-La Springs publicist Kathy Becker says BZP comes naturally for the historic property in Bonita Springs, which encourages walking and outdoor activities with its weekly produce sales and garden tours. The community of Twin Eagles, a Blue Zone member, recently arranged for a tour of Shangri-La Springs, which practices a wholly organic lifestyle, including bedclothes, towels and furnishings.

Romi Hayashi, co-owner of the Café at Bonita Beach says Blue Zones-designated menu items such as veggie wraps, burgers and bowls are so popular they attract repeat customers. “We found more and more people are into healthy food, especially because of this pandemic,” she reports. “Also, we have much younger customers compared to when I first opened in December 2018. Young people are so much more aware of healthy eating and organic food.”

Healthy eating is high on the list at Bonita Springs Elementary School, which pre-pandemic also held special exercise classes, walk-to-school days and eye exams. “The students loved it,” says principal Robert Cooper.

Residents of Copperleaf in The Brooks are deep into BZP with golf, tennis, bocce, pickleball and fitness classes. “Our executive chef, Paul Meyer, has embraced the Blue Zones Project and has added several healthy food options to our regular menus and our member socials,” says Anna Laabs, Copperleaf events and marketing director. “Just this season we have invited the Bike Medic to come to our community monthly and encouraged riding to the clubhouse versus driving.

“Also this season, we had to think outside of the box to come up with more socially distanced activities. Our community has started Fun Walks on the main loop of the neighborhood, and our golf superintendent, David Dore-Smith, opened up our monthly Walk the Golf Course event to dogs as well, part of BZP’s goal to move naturally. Our charitable foundation also had a great year of fundraising for our local charities (as in BZP’s accent on life’s purpose).

At Bonita Bay, the Community Activities Center cut out sugar-laden beverages and hosted well-being events such as chair yoga, tai chi, dance classes, health seminars and plant-based cooking demonstrations—for example, Breakfasts You Want to Eat and Raw Foods for Rookies.

“When we began to explore the concept of Blue Zones Project, we quickly realized it’s a natural fit for our residents,” states Elke Kauder, lifestyle director. “Bonita Bay is a thriving, active community, and Blue Zones Project gives us the tools and resources to take well-being to an even higher level.”

Paul Hiltz, CEO of NCH—whose name originated from Naples Community Hospital—says the program is now more timely than ever. “The challenges of the pandemic have reminded us just how important optimizing well-being and building resilience is,” he explains, “and the work we do through the Blue Zones Project provides the tools to help build a safer, stronger Southwest Florida.”

Researchers have found that people who live in Blue Zones share nine common lifestyle behaviors. The Power 9 Principles focus on moving naturally, eating wisely, knowing your life’s purpose and belonging to a social community. The principles are easy, small steps that everyone can take in their daily lives to feel better, live longer and be happier.