Written by Jamesie Kaiʻaokamālie Spencer, Blue Zones Project - Hawai‘i Ambassador

The longest-living people in the world follow the Blue Zones Project Power 9^® principle of moving naturally, as their lifestyles and environments allow for natural movement through their everyday activities. However, not all people move naturally nor get sufficient amounts of physical activity. Research shows that three in four adults in America and four in five students in an American high school do not get enough physical activity as the environments and communities they live in are not designed for physical movement (CDC). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not getting adequate amounts of physical activity comes with health risks such as heart disease, type two diabetes, several cancers, and obesity. Low levels of physical activity also result in high financial costs and expenses as the health care industry totals 117 billion dollars every year from sedentary lifestyles alone.

Getting enough physical exercise does not mean you need to join a gym nor train in excessive amounts; there is no need for marathons nor weight training. Simply, just the need to move naturally as the world’s longest-lived people do through activities such as walking. According to the Harvard School of Medicine, the simple behavior of walking has the potential to have a considerable impact on public health by reducing rates of chronic disease and ameliorating the rising health care costs. Hiking is a great activity to enjoy that promotes several principles in the Power 9 including moving naturally, downshifting, right tribe (through a hiking moai), and family first (by hiking with the family). End your busy week by doing something good for yourself with a nourishing hike in a stress free environment and feel free to bring along your family or a group of friends as well!

For those on the Big Island we have composed a list of recommended hikes that are near every Certified Blue Zones Community^®; they are free and open to the public to use. Great recommendations for those working on any of the following Power 9 principles: move naturally, downshifting, right tribe, or family first.