• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Blue Zones Project logo

Monterey County

Blue Zones Project - Monterey County

  • About Blue Zones Project
    • Overview
    • Discover the Blue Zones
    • Power 9
    • Eat Wisely
    • Move Naturally
    • Connect
    • Right Outlook
  • News & Media
  • Contact Us
  • English
    • Español (Spanish)

Test

  • Get Involved
    • Overview
    • Volunteer with Us
    • Submit a Testimonial
    • Rewards Program
  • Events
  • Organizations
    • Overview
    • Find All Approved Organizations
    • Approved Grocery Stores
    • Approved Restaurants
    • Approved Schools
    • Approved Worksites
    • Participating Faith-Based & Others
    • Become an Approved Organization
  • RealAge Test
  • Communities
    • Albert Lea
    • Bakersfield
    • Beach Cities
    • Brevard
    • Corry
    • Fort Worth
    • Grand Forks
    • Hawaii
    • Lake County
    • Mendocino County
    • Monterey County
    • Parkland-Spanaway
    • Pottawatomie
    • Southwest Florida
    • Tuolumne County
    • Upper Napa Valley
    • Walla Walla Valley
    • Yuba Sutter
Connect
1 Learn more about connecting

A sense of belonging supports individual well-being and is one of the behaviors connected to longevity in the original blue zones regions. But it’s getting harder to be connected in many places, leaving people vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and other anti-social behaviors. Blue Zones Project® provides opportunities and creates environments that increase positive connections among community members. By fostering a positive pack, encouraging behaviors that put loved ones first, and supporting a person’s reason to belong, we can help everyone feel they are a part of something bigger.

Three friends playing musical instruments

Positive Pack

The social networks of long-living people have shaped their health behaviors for the better. Research shows that obesity, happiness, tobacco use, and even loneliness are contagious. Consider taking cues from the world’s longest-living women in Okinawa, Japan, and their powerful social network, called “Moais®.” These circles of life-long friends support each other into older age, providing safety nets that lend financial or emotional support in times of need, and give all members the stress-shedding security of knowing that there will always be someone there for them. Assessing who you spend time with, then proactively connecting to those who support healthy behaviors, will do more to add years to your life than just about anything.

Family holding hands running through the field

Loved Ones First

Centenarians in the original blue zones areas of the world emphasize putting loved ones first, keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in the home. This action can lower the disease and mortality rates of everyone in the family, children included. They commit to a life partner, which can add up to three years of life expectancy, and invest time and love in their children. People who live in healthy families with strong ties suffer lower rates of depression, suicide, and stress. And if you can’t be near relatives, your “chosen” family can positively impact your health and well-being, too.

Adults closing their eyes

Belong

Research shows that faith and fellowship can serve as a power source for longevity, adding up to 14 years to your life. All but 5 of the 263 centenarians interviewed in the original blue zones studies belonged to some kind of faith-based community; denomination did not seem to matter. For instance, Seventh-day Adventists in the blue zones area of Loma Linda, California, take a weekly break from the rigors of daily life. They claim this practice relieves stress and strengthens social networks, something that can benefit everyone.

2 Take a moment to learn about connection
Connection

Positive health and happiness

Building and nourishing connections to others can bring so many positive health and happiness benefits. And there are many ways to do it. This video will show you how to enrich your life by connecting.

3 Make meaningful connections

Join an upcoming event

Cultivating meaningful connections is an essential piece of the longevity puzzle. And Blue Zones Project-hosted events are a fantastic way to meet people who share your interests. Come join us!

Upcoming events
purpose icon

National Take Down Tobacco Day Clean-Up – Monterey | Limpieza

March 22, 2023, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Monterey Municipal Beach
Let’s make a difference in our community today | Ayudemos a nuestra comunidad hoy
purpose icon

National Take Down Tobacco Day Clean-Up – Soledad | Limpieza

March 22, 2023, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Vosti Park
Let’s make a difference in our community today | Ayudemos a nuestra comunidad hoy
purpose icon

National Take Down Tobacco Day Clean-Up – Salinas | Limpieza

March 22, 2023, 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Natividad Creek Park
Let’s make a difference in our community today | Ayudemos a nuestra comunidad hoy
purpose icon

Salinas Soccer Complex Clean Up |Limpieza del Complejo de Fútbol de Salinas

March 28, 2023, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Salinas Regional Soccer Complex
A community service opportunity at the Salinas Soccer Complex. Let’s clean up, have fun and connect! |¡ Oportunidad de servicio comunitario!
purpose icon

Earth Day Clean-Up at Tatum’s Garden| Limpieza

April 15, 2023, 8:30 am – 11:00 am
Tatum's Garden
Community Clean Up at Tatum’s Garden | Limpieza de comunidad en Tatum’s Garden
purpose icon

Community Volunteer Day – April – Oak Woodland Community Garden

April 15, 2023, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Oak Woodland Community Garden
Lead the way to a healthier, longer-living community
purpose icon

Community Volunteer Day – May – Beach Clean-Up

May 30, 2023, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Del Monte Beach
Lead the way to a healthier, longer-living community
purpose icon

Salinas Soccer Complex Clean Up |Limpieza del Complejo de Fútbol de Salinas

May 30, 2023, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Salinas Regional Soccer Complex
A community service opportunity at the Salinas Soccer Complex. Let’s clean up, have fun and connect! |¡ Oportunidad de servicio comunitario!
purpose icon

Community Volunteer Day – June – Lincoln Cunningham Park

June 24, 2023, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lincoln Cunningham Park
Lead the way to a healthier, longer-living community
purpose icon

Community Volunteer Day – July – Beach Clean-Up

July 5, 2023, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Del Monte Beach
Lead the way to a healthier, longer-living community
purpose icon

Community Volunteer Day – July – Oak Woodland Community Garden

July 15, 2023, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Oak Woodland Community Garden
Lead the way to a healthier, longer-living community
purpose icon

Salinas Soccer Complex Clean Up |Limpieza del Complejo de Fútbol de Salinas

July 25, 2023, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Salinas Regional Soccer Complex
A community service opportunity at the Salinas Soccer Complex. Let’s clean up, have fun and connect! |¡ Oportunidad de servicio comunitario!
purpose icon

Community Volunteer Day – August – Capra Park

August 5, 2023, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lincoln Cunningham Park
Lead the way to a healthier, longer-living community
purpose icon

Community Volunteer Day – September – Beach Clean-Up

September 5, 2023, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Del Monte Beach
Lead the way to a healthier, longer-living community
purpose icon

Salinas Soccer Complex Clean Up |Limpieza del Complejo de Fútbol de Salinas

September 26, 2023, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Salinas Regional Soccer Complex
A community service opportunity at the Salinas Soccer Complex. Let’s clean up, have fun and connect! |¡ Oportunidad de servicio comunitario!
purpose icon

Community Clean-Up at Tatum’s Garden| Limpieza

September 30, 2023, 8:30 am – 11:00 am
Tatum's Garden
Community Clean Up at Tatum’s Garden | Limpieza de comunidad en Tatum’s Garden
purpose icon

Community Volunteer Day – October – Oak Woodland Community Garden

October 14, 2023, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Oak Woodland Community Garden
Lead the way to a healthier, longer-living community
purpose icon

Community Volunteer Day – November – Laguna Grande Park Clean-Up

November 18, 2023, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Laguna Grande Park Monterey
Lead the way to a healthier, longer-living community
View All
4 Get rewarded for participating
Join the Live Longer, Better Rewards Program

Live Longer, Better® Rewards is a comprehensive program that uses the Sharecare app to incorporate Blue Zones Power 9® principles to support your well-being journey, wherever you go.

Set goals, track your progress, and get rewarded! Join your community in Blue Zones Project activities created to help you Eat Wisely, Connect, Move Naturally, and have the Right Outlook.

Two older adults walking along the beach Watch videos
Child sitting atop father's shoulders Join challenges
Father and son fishing on the dock Attend an event
Let’s Get Started
newsletter-signup-logo
Subscribe to our newsletter

About Us

  • Blog
  • Our Community
  • Rewards Program
  • RealAge Test
  • Our Partners
  • News & Media
  • Careers
  • About Blue Zones Project
  • About Sharecare

Policies

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
BROUGHT TO MONTEREY COUNTY BY:
Salinas Valley Health Taylor Farms logo Montage Health logo
Blue Zones Project logo

©2023 Sharecare Inc. All rights reserved. This website contains copyrighted material of Blue Zones, LLC and Sharecare, Inc.