Springmoor Residents Enjoy Many of the Benefits of Living in a Blue Zone

By Kari Richie, Pathways Wellness Director

At Springmoor, every aspect of life on our campus is designed to support residents’ health and wellness. Our residents enjoy benefits similar to those that people who live in a Blue Zone experience.

Blue Zones have become a beacon of hope and inspiration in the quest for longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. These regions—such as Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, and Loma Linda in California—are famous for their inhabitants’ remarkable wellbeing and longevity.

At first glance, the characteristics  of these far-flung locales may seem impossible to replicate in Raleigh, North Carolina. But communities like Springmoor demonstrate that Blue Zone benefits are surprisingly within reach—thanks to thoughtful design, supportive environments, and an emphasis on holistic wellness.

What are Blue Zones?

Researcher Dan Buettner and his team have identified regions they call Blue Zones where people live significantly longer and healthier lives. The hallmarks of these areas include strong social networks, natural movement throughout the day, healthy diets rich in plant-based foods, a sense of purpose, and environments that support well-being. Residents of Blue Zones routinely live well into their 90s and 100s, with lower rates of chronic disease and disability.

Springmoor is a prime example of how a well-planned retirement community can emulate the advantages of living in a Blue Zone. Through design and programming, Springmoor fosters longevity and happiness.

1. Social Connection and Community

One of the most striking characteristics of Blue Zones is the presence of strong social ties. At Springmoor, residents are immersed in a vibrant community where friendships flourish.

Group activities—from art classes to book clubs, volunteer opportunities, and communal dining—ensure that isolation is rare and meaningful relationships are the norm. These social connections are proven to buffer stress, increase happiness, and even reduce mortality rates.

“We mail an abbreviated version of our Pathways events calendar to our waitlist members each month,” says Beth Holden, Sales & Marketing Director. “Members of our waitlist are invited to participate in many of our activities and develop relationships with current residents before they move in.”

She adds, “This monthly mailing highlights activities and performances that waitlist members can attend. We also include activities such as theatre, museum, and dining trips that they can look forward to participating in once they become residents.”

2. Purpose and Engagement

Blue Zone residents are guided by a clear sense of purpose, whether it’s caring for family, tending a garden, or contributing to their community. Springmoor cultivates this “reason for being” by offering numerous opportunities for engagement.

Residents can pursue hobbies, volunteer, or participate in intergenerational programs. The community encourages lifelong learning and personal growth, which are key elements in sustaining mental health and cognitive vitality.

Our Pathways Wellness Program celebrates optimal health in every dimension: intellectual, spiritual, physical, social, emotional, nutritional, vocational, and environmental. Each week, we offer an extensive slate of events and activities from which residents can choose.

3. Movement Built into Daily Life

Rather than structured exercise regimens, Blue Zone inhabitants move organically throughout their day—walking to neighbors’ homes, gardening, or working on their land. Springmoor’s beautiful campus is designed to support natural movement. Scenic walking trails, accessible gardens, our Pathways Wellness Center, and a wide variety of programs make it easy for residents to stay active.

Gentle, consistent movement is crucial for maintaining mobility, strength, and cardiovascular health. In addition to a myriad of staff-led group exercise classes for all ability levels, our residents coordinate numerous activities that include:

Ping Pong

Shuffleboard

Putting on the Springmoor Green

Croquet

Pickleball

Billiards

4. Nourishing Diets

A predominantly plant-based diet, rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, underpins the longevity observed in Blue Zones. Springmoor’s Dining Services Department offers nutritious menus inspired by these principles, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and options for special dietary needs. Residents have access to balanced meals that nourish both body and soul, helping to prevent chronic illnesses and boost vitality.

5. Stress Reduction and Mindfulness

Blue Zones prioritize routines that reduce stress—like prayer, meditation, and regular downtime. Springmoor integrates mindfulness and relaxation into everyday life, offering spaces for reflection and activities such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation.

Our two chaplains provide spiritual support and pastoral care and counseling to residents, families, caregivers, and staff that is in keeping with each individual’s belief system. They coordinate regular worship services that include Sunday Vespers and weekly communion, special seasonal and holy day observances, weekly Staff Chapel, and bereavement services.

Groups the chaplains offer include Connections Discussion Group, Changes Support Group, Dementia Caregiver Support, Monthly Men’s Breakfast, and Resident Caring Circle. The chaplains also offer book studies on books of the Bible and other texts.

The Springmoor community actively participates in outreach to the wider community as well. Recent efforts include Pump It for Parkinsons, Annual School Supply Drives, Hurricane Helene relief donations to Western North Carolina, and food donations to Parkwood Food Hub.

In short, it is our strong sense of community that makes Springmoor an exceptional place to live! While the gardens of Okinawa or the hills of Sardinia may be thousands of miles away, their secrets to healthy aging thrive on our campus.

Through intentional design, vibrant programming, and a focus on the whole person, Springmoor offers residents the same benefits found in Blue Zones—longevity, health, and joyful living. The blueprint for a better life is not just a distant ideal; it’s a daily reality at our community.