This three-week film series is back with a new series of TED Talks to inspire and educate our community about what it takes to live a long, fulfilling life. Enjoy a series of TED Talk films that explore the secrets to healthy longevity. These Ted Talk mini-lectures by experts and novices will explore a variety of subjects relating to aging-well and living a vibrant life. We will re-visit and cover the infamous “Blue Zones”, as well as share brand new and informative TED Talks to keep us moving forward!
Longevity and Community: The Power of Support, Mindset, and Healthy Habits
When we think about living a long and healthy life, we often imagine taking care of our physical body through exercise and healthy eating. However, research suggests that the key to longevity goes beyond the food we eat or the workouts we do—it’s deeply tied to our mindset, daily habits, the support we receive from our community, and even the encouragement we offer to others. Our thoughts, relationships, and the way we engage with the world around us can dramatically affect our longevity.
The Power of Mindset and Healthy Thoughts
Mindset plays an undeniable role in how we experience life, and it can significantly impact our health and longevity. A positive mindset fosters resilience, enabling us to navigate stress and life’s challenges with a sense of hope and optimism. Studies have shown that individuals with a positive outlook on life tend to have lower levels of stress, reduced inflammation, and a greater sense of well-being. Conversely, negative thoughts and chronic stress can accelerate aging, weaken the immune system, and increase susceptibility to illness.
So why do we so often veer toward a negative mindset? It’s not our fault. Humans often default to negative thinking due to evolutionary wiring that served as a survival mechanism. In the early stages of human development, our ancestors needed to remain hyper-aware of potential threats in their environment—whether from predators, environmental hazards, or rival groups—so their brains became adept at detecting dangers and focusing on problems. This “negativity bias” meant that negative experiences or threats were processed more intensely and remembered more vividly than positive ones. While this bias was essential for survival, it can be less useful in today’s world, where the immediate threats are less about physical danger and more about stress, challenges, or worries. As a result, our minds can more easily focus on what’s going wrong rather than what’s going right, creating a tendency toward negative thinking even in the absence of actual danger. This tendency can become ingrained in our everyday lives, often skewing our perception of reality and making it more difficult to cultivate positive thoughts and outlooks.
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body
The connection between the mind and body is inseparable. A healthy mind is crucial to a healthy body. Psychological well-being influences physical health in a myriad of ways, from hormone regulation to immune function. For example, during menopause, women experience significant hormonal changes that can affect both their physical and mental health. The emotional toll of menopause, marked by changes in energy levels, and sleep disturbances, (to name a few), can be challenging. As women navigate all of the stages of menopause, their lifestyle choices become even more critical in maintaining physical and emotional health. But this time in life also offers an opportunity for women to reassess their health and prioritize self-care. This is where the power of community and mindset comes into play. Seeking support from others and fostering a positive mindset can help navigate this transition with grace, reducing the emotional toll that often accompanies it. A sense of community can help reduce stress, which in turn has a positive effect on physical health. The mental health benefits of sharing experiences and receiving support from those around us cannot be overstated when it comes to both quality of life and longevity.
Encouragement and Support: The Foundation of Community
Community and social connections are central to longevity. People who have a strong support network are more likely to live longer, healthier lives. In the famous “Blue Zones” around the world—regions where people live significantly longer than average—community plays an essential role in fostering well-being. The Blue Zones, which include areas in Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; and Nicoya, Costa Rica, have long been studied for their high populations of centenarians. Researchers have found that the power of community in these regions is one of the key factors contributing to longevity.
Daily Habits: The Small Choices that Lead to Big Impact
Longevity isn’t just about genetics; it’s about daily habits. Small lifestyle choices made consistently over time can have an enormous impact on how long—and how well—we live. The “Power 9” Blue Zones lifestyle habits encompass nine key principles that contribute to longer, healthier lives. The Longevity program will cover these “Power 9” longevity benefits and so much more.
Longevity is not merely about living longer; it’s about living well. The combination of a positive mindset, healthy thoughts, supportive relationships, and daily habits rooted in wellness can significantly extend both the quality and duration of life. By embracing the habits of the Blue Zones—incorporating natural movement, nurturing meaningful relationships, eating mindfully, and reducing stress—we can cultivate a life that not only lasts but thrives. And as we journey through the stages of life, whether it’s entering new life chapters, or embracing menopause, we can draw strength from community, knowing that the power to live longer, healthier lives lies in the everyday choices we make and the community connections we cherish. The Community Library Sedona’s Longevity Program is designed to help and support one another.
It all begins on Friday March 7
Friday March 7, 2:00 – 3:00
SCHEDULED TED TALKS:
- Dan Buettner: How to Live to 100+ (Founder of the Blue Zones)
- Judson Brewer: A Simple way of break a bad habit
Friday March 14, 2:00 – 3:00
SCHEDULED TED TALKS:
- Lisa Mosconi: How menopause affects the brain
- Sandra Aamodt: Why dieting doesn’t usually work
Friday March 21, 2:00 – 3:00
SCHEDULED TED TALKS:
- Johann Hari: This could be why you’re depressed or anxious
- Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight
The Library Longevity Series, Hosted by Geno and Patty Kelly
Patty Kelly is a Library Assistant and freelance writer certified in mental health and wellness, hypnotherapy and stress management. Through her writing Patty shares how reflection can strengthen our spirit and enhance the magic of living. She loves reading memoirs because she believes that our personal stories are of great value to one another. You can find Patty’s work at www.patriciamabelkelly.com and in the Community Library Sedona.
Geno Kelly is Founder, Lead Guide and Instructor of Sedona Outdoor School. Geno is a Certified Outdoor and Grand Canyon Guide, Wilderness First Responder Instructor, and retired Firefighter with over thirty years’ experience in outdoor and fitness education. Mr. Kelly has dedicated his life to teaching the benefits of outdoor adventure for longevity and quality of life. Learn more at www.sedonaoutdoorschool.com
Community Library Sedona is also a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts and support, just like the Friends’ contributions, allow us to provide a plethora of services and programs for the community, for free, all year long. Visit communitylibrarysedona.org/donate to make an online gift today.
As published by Red Rock News
Library News Column for February 28, 2025, by Patty Kelly, Interlibrary Loan Librarian