In the world’s five major hotspots for longevity and health, also known as the Blue Zones, several common factors are fundamental to everyday life. A predominantly plant-based diet and regular exercise are crucial, but maintaining connections with friends, family, and the wider community is also paramount.
“[In the Blue Zones] they know their sense of purpose,” says Dan Buettner, the explorer and author who first identified the now world-famous longevity hotspots in Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California. “They sit down for meals with their friends and family. They take time with their neighbors,” he continues. “That’s why this brand of longevity beats anti-aging any day of the week.”
In the US (outside of Loma Linda), life expectancy and general health are worse than in the Blue Zones. For example, one in three Ikarians will live into their 90s, while the average life expectancy in the US is 76. Some of this disparity can be attributed to food choices. The Standard American Diet is high in saturated fat, added sugar, red meat, and processed foods, while Blue Zone diets consist mainly of plant-based whole foods.
However, food isn’t the only thing that sets the US apart from the Blue Zones. Americans are increasingly lonely, research suggests, and this could have a significant impact on health.
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How common is loneliness in the US?
Loneliness is a growing issue. In 2023, one report from the US Department of Health and Human Services found that before the pandemic, around half of American adults were suffering from some form of loneliness.
This is likely due to a few factors, like social media, for example, which has prompted people to spend less time together in the flesh. But the pandemic has also undoubtedly had an impact, with more people working from home, too. In fact, research suggests that more than one-third of Americans who have a job that allows them to work remotely choose to do so 100 percent of the time.
“In the last few decades, we’ve just lived through a dramatic pace of change. We move more, we change jobs more often, and we are living with technology that has profoundly changed how we interact with each other and how we talk to each other,” Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told NPR news program All Things Considered last year. “And you can feel lonely even if you have a lot of people around you because loneliness is about the quality of your connections.”
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Does loneliness impact your health?
Loneliness affects people of all ages, but recent research suggests that younger people are suffering the most. Generation Z, in particular, has been dubbed “the loneliest generation,” with nearly 80 percent reporting some level of loneliness, according to a Cigna study.
Loneliness is associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety, but its impact extends to physical health as well. It is linked to a higher risk of heart disease and dementia, largely due to its role in elevating inflammatory markers. Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for many chronic diseases.
How to make new friends: brunch, art, and dinner meetup events
The chronically online world of TikTok, Instagram, and X can be isolating, but breaking out of that bubble and meeting new people is possible. If you’re struggling with loneliness, platforms like Meetup can help you find local events where you can connect with like-minded individuals in person. Yes, it might require stepping out of your comfort zone. Here are a few upcoming vegan events in the US that are perfect for meeting new friends. Sweatpants off, small talk on—let’s go!
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1 Vegan Coffee Brunch
Kansas City, MO
What: a monthly meetup to eat brunch, drink coffee, and chat hosted by VegKC taking place at various venues in Kansas City
When and where: Friday, August 2 at Oddly Correct Coffee Bar
Find out more
2 Vegan Art Opening
Culver City, CA
What: a vegan Meetup event at Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City for artist Soey Milk’s solo exhibition
When and where: Saturday, August 10 at Corey Helford Gallery
Find out more
3 Night Market Meetup
New York City, NY
What: eating, drinking, and enjoying the Vegan Night Market in Central Park South, as well as attending an after party
When and where: Tuesday, August 13 at Vegan Night Market
Find out more
4 Vegan Book Club
Durango, CO
What: a vegan book club to discuss Robert Cheeke’s book The Impactful Vegan
When and where: Saturday, August 17 at Still Life Coffee & Botanicals
Find out more
5 Vegan Pot Luck
Laguna Niguel, CA
What: an opportunity to share homemade vegan food, meet friends, win prizes, and learn about art
When and where: Saturday, August 24 at the Unity and Peace Gallery
Find out more
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
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