New Year, Healthier, Happier You!

This year instead of worrying about making a grand scale New Year's Resolution, think about making some small lifestyle changes that can greatly impact your health and happiness. Studies have shown that people who live in certain areas are healthier. Blue zones—areas in Italy, Japan, Greece, California, and Costa Rica where the people have traditionally stayed active to age 100 or older—are some of the healthiest in the world. In these areas people eat 20% less food then in other areas, but even if you don't live in these areas you can apply their habits to achieve a healthier you.

1. One trick for slashing portions: Instead of putting big platters of food at the center of the table, fill each plate at the counter.

2. Eat more plants. Not only are plant-based diets rich in antioxidants and other good-for-you nutrients, they’re also better for your waistline. A plate of food in Okinawa, Japan has one-fifth the calorie density of a typical American meal because they eat a diet high in vegetables.

3. Love the foods that love you back. A diet of berries and elk or tofu and sea vegetables might seem utterly foreign—but taste buds can be retrained. "Americans love fat, salt, and sugar because that’s what we’re used to," says David L. Katz, MD, founding director of the Yale Prevention Research Center. "But studies show that if you eat more wholesome foods, you can learn to prefer them."

An easy way to start: Search for stealth sugar, which Dr. Katz says is found in many packaged foods. "Once you get rid of that hidden sugar, you’ll start to prefer less-sweet foods," he notes.

4. Sit down—and slow down. Which today's high paced society it might be too much to cook every meal. But we can sit at a table to eat our takeout instead of scarfing it down in the car. Savor each bite as the French do; stretch your meals out for 20 whole minutes. You’ll end up eating less and enjoying more.

5. Get up The longest-living people don’t think of exercise as a chore. Instead, little bits of movement are a constant part of their everyday lives. Make like a French woman and take a short walk after dinner.

6.Get out. Every Blue Zone is known for its strong social and family bonds. Besides spending quality time at home with family, surround yourself with healthy-living friends—good health habits are contagious, research shows. Be sure to get involved in your community, too, whether it’s at church, a gardening group, or a volunteer organization. These connections can add years to your life.

7.Take it easy. Even the world’s healthiest people get stressed out sometimes. What they all have are daily strategies to shed stress. Meditate, go for a run, make a dinner date with your best friend.

It’s OK to enjoy the occasional cheeseburger. What matters is a cumulative lifestyle pattern of enjoying healthful food, staying connected to others, and keeping yourself moving.