Exercise is necessary for good health, but people in blue zones generally do not designate time for deliberate exercise such as going to the gym. Instead, activity is built into daily life as they walk from place to place and do physical chores such as gardening and cleaning.
People in blue zones tend to have a strong sense of purpose and often a commitment to religious faith. This purpose motivates them to make healthy choices and can help their mental health.
Many families in blue zones live in homes where multiple generations reside together. This arrangement provides emotional and practical support for both the old and the young. And the communities tend to be tight-knit so that people have social support beyond their biological family.
People who do not live in blue zones can still benefit from the insights gained from studying these cultures. Anyone can adjust their diet and some lifestyle factors, but changing community structure is a bit more difficult.
There is now, however, a corporation called Blue Zones LLC that works with communities to make them more like blue zones. Their Blue Zones Project has seen success in several cities in the United States.
As people adopt the customs of those in blue zones, they may end up living longer and healthier lives than ever.
運動對健康當然很重要，但在「藍區」的人們通常不會特別安排時間刻意去運動，比如上健身房。相反地，他們把活動量自然融入每天的生活之中──像是步行到各個地方、做園藝、或打掃家裡等需動手的家務。
藍區的人們通常具有強烈的人生目標感，並且多半對宗教信仰有一定的投入。這份目標感會促使他們做出更健康的選擇，也能幫助維持良好的心理健康。
在藍區，許多家庭是多代同堂，住在同一個屋簷下。這樣的生活方式能為長輩與晚輩提供情感和日常生活上的支持。而且這些社區的關係非常緊密，因此人們能獲得超越血緣家庭之外的社會支持。
不住在藍區的人，也可以從研究這些文化中得到啟發與好處。任何人都可以調整飲食和生活方式的一些部分，但要改變整個社區的結構就比較困難了。然而現在，有一家名為「Blue Zones LLC」的公司，專門協助社區改造，使它們更接近藍區的模式。他們的「藍區計畫」已經在美國的好幾個城市取得成功。隨著人們採用藍區居民的習慣，他們可能會比以往活得更久、更健康。
Language Lab
chore n. 家務事、雜事
/tʃɔːr/
A routine task, especially one that is boring or involves physical work.
- Knowing she couldn’t leave until her chores were done, she finished in time to attend her friend’s party.
她知道在做完家事之前不能離開，所以她及時完成，好去參加朋友的派對。
chore chart n. 務表、家事分配圖、工作分配表（常用來安排誰做哪些家務）
a chart used to assign and track household tasks
- The teacher used a chore chart to remind students of their daily cleaning tasks in their classroom.
老師使用家務表提醒學生在教室裡每日要完成的清潔任務。
errand n. 差事、小事、跑腿的任務
/ˈerənd/
a short trip to do a specific task, such as buying groceries, mailing a package, or picking something up.
- I was exhausted after spending a full day running errands all over town.
我跑了一整天的各種差事，累癱了。
generally adv. 通常、一般來說、大致上
in most cases; usually; most of the time
- People in blue zones generally do not designate time for deliberate exercise.
藍區的人一般不會特別安排刻意的運動時間。
designate v. 指派；指定；標明；標示
/ˈdɛzɪɡˌneɪt/
to officially choose or set something for a particular purpose
- The teacher designated today as reading day.
老師把今天指定為閱讀日。
- This area is designated for parents only.
這個區域是專門指定給家長使用的。
built into + (noun) 被「內建在…裡」、被「融入…當中」
Something is included inside something else as a natural or permanent part.
- The new phone has a camera built into the screen.
新手機的螢幕裡內建相機。
- Exercise is built into their daily routine.
運動已經內建在他們的每日習慣中。（自然生活習慣的一部分）
physical adj. 身體的
physical means something related to the body, not the mind or emotions.
- Physical exercise is important for good health.
身體運動對健康很重要。
commitment n. 承諾、投入、責任感、長期的堅持
A promise to do something; You say you will do it, and you mean it.
- They made a commitment to always be there for each other no matter what.
他們承諾無論發生什麼事，都會一直互相支持。
- She made a commitment to study English every day.
她承諾每天讀英文。
commit v.
To promise to do something; You decide and say you will do it.
- He was committed to a mental health facility once his disturbing hallucinations began to put him and others in danger.
當他那些令人不安的幻覺開始危及自己和他人時，他被送進精神醫療機構。
commit (something) to memory 把某件事「牢記在心」或「背起來」
To memorize something; to learn it so well that you can remember it without looking.
- I’ve had this number for over a year, but I’m embarrassed to admit that I have yet to commit it to memory.
我這個號碼已經用了超過一年，但我很不好意思承認我到現在還沒把它背起來。
sense of purpose 「人生目標感、使命感」
A feeling that your life has meaning and direction; knowing what you want to do and why you are doing it.
- Having a sense of purpose helps people stay motivated.
有目標感能讓人更有動力。
religious n.宗教的；虔誠的
- There are many religious traditions in this country.
這個國家有許多宗教傳統。
reside v. 居住、定居
reside = live（住在） 是比較正式的說法，用在書面語、學術文章、新聞。
- They reside in Tokyo.
他們住在東京。
- She resides in a small apartment near campus.
她住在校園附近的一間小公寓。
practical adj. 實際的、實用的、務實的
Something you can really use, not just an idea.
This plan is practical. 這個計畫是可行的／務實的。
tight-knit adj. 關係緊密的、團結的、互相支持的
/ˌtaɪtˈnɪt/
A tight-knit group is very close, supportive, and strongly connected. People care about each other and help one another.
- They come from a tight-knit community.
他們來自一個關係緊密的社區。
adopt something v. 開始使用、接受、或採用某個方法、做法、想法等
To start using, doing, or accepting something as your own.
- The school adopted a new teaching method.
學校採用了新的教學方式。
insight v. 洞察力,深入了解, 對事情的理解
the ability to clearly understand a situation, person, or thing.
- Her cultural insight was shaped by her childhood travels abroad with her family.
她對文化的洞察力，是在童年時和家人出國旅行時培養出來的。
insightful adj. 有洞察力的；看得很透徹的；很有見地的
An insightful person or comment shows a deep understanding of something.
- The players benefited from their coach’s insightful feedback on their strengths and weaknesses.
球員們從教練有洞察力的回饋中受益，特別是關於他們的優點和缺點。
insightfulness n. 「有洞察力」、「看事情很透徹」、「能抓到重點、理解深刻」的特質。
the quality of having deep understanding, clear perception, or the ability to notice important details that others might miss.
- The author’s insightfulness offered a fresh perspective on the subject which helped spark a cultural shift. 作者的洞察力提供了一個嶄新的觀點，並促成了一場文化上的轉變。
factor n. 「影響結果的因素」、「成因」、「關鍵條件」
things that influence or affect a result, situation, or outcome.
- Many factors affect a person’s health, such as diet, exercise, and stress.
許多因素會影響一個人的健康，例如飲食、運動和壓力。
- Price is one of the factors people consider when buying a car.
價格是人們買車時考慮的因素之一。
structure n. 「結構」、「架構」、「組織方式」、「安排方式」
the way parts are organized or arranged to form a whole
- We studied the structure of a paragraph in class.
我們在課堂上學習段落的結構。
corporation n. 「大公司」、「企業法人」、「股份有限公司」
a large company or business organization that is legally recognized as a single entity
- She works for a big international corporation.
她在一家大型的國際企業工作。
Usage Tip
形容詞比較級 + than ever 現在比以往任何時候都更……
This pattern means something is more (adjective) now than at any time before.
- She is happier than ever.
她現在比以前任何時候都更快樂。
- He is more confident than ever.
他比以往更有自信。
- The team is stronger than ever.
這個團隊現在比以前更強大。
