A few years back, when I was teaching a psychology class at a local university, I stumbled on an article that grabbed my attention. It was about these places called “Blue Zones.” Maybe you’ve heard of them? There are only five in the entire world, and what makes them so interesting is that the people who live there don’t just live long—they thrive. These communities have the highest numbers of centenarians, people who reach 100 years old and beyond, and they do it with a level of health and vibrancy that’s hard to ignore. It made me wonder what exactly they’re doing differently—and what the rest of us might learn from them

What struck me most as I read more about these Blue Zones was just how simple—almost deceptively simple—their “secrets” to long life actually are. Yes, people in these regions tend to eat more whole foods, move their bodies naturally throughout the day, and avoid excessive drinking. But the real magic isn’t found on their plates. It’s found in their relationships.

Contrast that with where we find ourselves today.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a powerful and sobering advisory titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” The data was startling: Americans are more disconnected than ever before. We have more technology, more access, more communication channels—and yet less real connection. Loneliness, the report emphasized, is not just an emotional state. It is a public health threat. Chronic isolation increases the risk of depression, anxiety, heart disease, dementia, and even early mortality.

The very thing that helps people in Blue Zones live longer is the same thing many Americans are losing at alarming rates: meaningful, consistent, reliable human connection.

And when you look at those two realities side by side—the profound connectedness of Blue Zones and the deepening loneliness here at home—it raises an important question: what would it look like to build community in our own lives?

I don’t think we need to uproot our lives and move to Sardinia or Okinawa. It starts much smaller, in those everyday moments we often overlook. 

It’s checking in on a friend just because. Inviting someone over for a simple meal. Joining a group, a class, a faith community, or a club that brings people together. It’s choosing to linger a little longer in conversation instead of rushing on to the next thing. It’s allowing ourselves to be known—and making space to know others.

Connection isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Not just for emotional well-being, but for physical health and long-term longevity. The human body was made for relationship. We see evidence of that in God who is in perfect relationship with Himself. He designed us to thrive in relationship with others. Our nervous systems regulate each other. Our stress levels calm in the presence of supportive people. Our sense of purpose strengthens when we feel part of something larger than ourselves.

So maybe the lesson we can borrow from the world’s longest-living people is this: we don’t have to wait for community to magically appear. We can create it. We can build small “blue zones” in our own neighborhoods, families, workplaces, and circles of friends—one meaningful interaction at a time.

The world’s longest-living people have one thing in common: connection.
God designed us for relationship. Belonging heals. 🤝✨