Blue Zones Project Blog

"Up and Down with ecology—the issue-attention cycle” by Anthony Downs is celebrating a golden anniversary this year. The example fifty years ago relates to ecology, but the principles are the same for current and re-emergent issues such as Civil Rights, HIV/AIDS, obesity, immigration, natural disasters, homeland security, global warming, and oil spills, as well as COVID.    

Sustainability is a timely, important, and complex subject. Thoughts, shared last week in the first of three BZP Bulletins on the topic, are summarized as follows: Sustaining well-being and good health for people, organizations, and communities is mission critical for equity, diversity, social cohesion, and quality of life.

Well-being and good health are mission critical for individuals, organizations, and communities. Equally important is sustainability once the quintessential qualities that add healthy life expectancy have been accomplished. The quote, “The ability of a community to develop processes and structures which not only meet the needs of its current members but also support the ability of future generations to maintain a healthy community,” captures the need for a long view according to the Business Dictionary.

What is brain health?” is the first question asked in a National Institute on Aging article addressing cognitive health in older adults. Defining brain health includes the following:

Defining the Need for New Forms of Therapy, an Ode to Dr. Beck

Leading a happy, healthy retired life is a goal regardless of one’s current stage during a journey to retirement. Most of us want to have had successful careers followed by a long, enjoyable, and satisfying dividend at the end of our formal working years.

Following her own sage advice and life-long professional career of helping others, Terri Merritt-Worden, Vice President of Operations of the Blue Zones Project by Sharecare, celebrated the start of retirement. Upon request for advice about wisdom accumulated during her career, Terri shared her top ten suggestions for leadership, well-being and health during a final good-bye with the Blue Zones Project team. Senior Project Manager, Mandy Butters codified these recommendations, which are good for anyone from youth to old age. Terri was a big fan of David Letterman, so in his style, here is her Top 10 List:

Positive emotions, calm feelings, warm connections, and good thoughts all contribute to excellent health. Healthy people typically enjoy good mental attitudes. The opposite is also true—namely, sad folks have more disease and misery. 

Third party validation based on legitimate metrics makes accepting positive change essential for altruistic leaders. Well-being and health can be measured and statistically improved using proven principles and processes. No longer will the tyranny of the present nor learned helplessness validate persistent misery and disease.