Make family a priority
The most successful centenarians we met in the blue zones put their families first. They tended to marry, have children, and build their lives around that cores. Their lives were imbued with familial duty, ritual, and a certain emphasis on togetherness. Successful families make a point of eating at least one meal a day together, taking annual vacations, and spending family time.Parents that give you a sense of goals and purpose, and then if you become ill, or problems emerge, that basic support of family becomes incredibly important. Investing in our children when they are young helps assure they will invest in us when we are old. the playoff? Seniors who live with their families stay sharper longer than those who live alone or in a nursing home.Lesson eight strategies
Get closer
Consider living in a smaller house to create an environment of togetherness. A large, spread-out house makes it easier for family members to segment themselves from the group. It's easier for families to bond and spend time together in a smaller home. If you live in a large home, establish one room where family members gather daily.Establish rituals.
Children thrive on rituals: they enjoy repetition. Make one family meal a day sacred. Establish a tradition for a family vacation. Have dinner with Grandma every Tuesday night. Make a point to purposefully celebrate holidays.Create a family shrine.
In Okinawan homes, the ancestor shrine is always displayed in the best room in the house. It showcases pictures of deceased loved ones and their important possessions. It serves as a constant reminder that we are not islands in times but connected to something bigger. We can pick a wall to display pictures of our parents and children. or take annual family pictures and display them in progression.Put family first.
Invest time and energy in your children, your spouse, and your parents. Play with your children, nurture your marriage, and honor your parents.
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