We understood from learning about the Blue Zones (communities around the world with the highest ratio of longest living people), that they thrive because their environments are set up to facilitate good practices. They are socially active at a rate of 6-7 hours a day, physically active, eat a wide variety of wholefoods, very much like the Mediterranean diet and have purpose - or simply put a reason to get up in the morning.

Their lives are filled with a series of micro-nudges that take the decision making (or procrastination) out of the equation.

“…as we grow older, approximately 20% of our health is determined by the hardwiring of our genes, while the remaining 80% is influenced by the ways our lifestyle choices and our physical and social environment contribute to the expression of our genes.” (Bland JS, Functional Medicine Past, Present, and Future).

At Club Majlis, we have set out to create an environment to help our patrons live their healthiest, happiest and most fulfilling life. The Club provides a welcoming venue offering indoor and outdoor spaces designed to promote connection – Communal spaces and cosy nooks, a variety of activities and healthful and delicious food ideal for sharing.

The 8 bits of research we love the most:

1. Human beings are hardwired for social connection. It is essential for our health. A meta-review analyzed 148 studies (covering more than 300,000 participants across all ages over a 100-year time frame) found that having a strong social network boosts survival by 50%.

It affects your immune system and your brain health, too. Read more about the benefits of being social

2. A social life also means a happier life. “For every new friend you add to your social network, you’re 15 percent more likely
   to be happy”. The happiest people spend around 6 to 7 hours a day socializing. Read about more benefits of being social.

3. Moving more and in a variety of ways helps with our brains, our balance, our cardiovascular system and so much more. But we are hardwired to conserve energy which doesn’t work so well if your exercise routine feels like a chore. Let’s have fun - play more, move more, together.

4. We all relate to the challenge of maintaining exercise, activity or movement practices. Support systems make us twice as likely to reach our health goals, reversing cycles of social and physical inactivity, bringing us closer to one another, and closer to the physical and mental health we require to thrive, in short encouraging each other to move more. Read more about support systems for improved health.

5. Humans have a natural instinct to convene in areas that are not their home (first space) or work (second space). Research shows that given easy access to third spaces, quality of life improves. Yes, its that easy! Read more about third spaces for community connection

6. Lifelong learning (especially of a completely new skill) stimulates greater neuron generation and connection in the brain. Neurons are responsible for sending information throughout the body and when this is improved, it positively effects memory, attention, thinking and reasoning skills - offering reduced risk of the onset of dementia as well as a host of other benefits. Read more about the benefits of lifelong learning. And remember, if you don't use it you lose it!

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7. Creative activities such as painting and drawing offer benefits to mental health, sense of purpose and personal growth. Yet in 2015, only 4.2 % of the EU population aged 65-74 years performed an artistic activity (at least once during the 12 months preceding the survey), with numbers decreasing in line with age. Read more about the benefits of being more creative

8. Purpose means different things to different people but directly correlates to having stronger personal relationships, less pain and disability and overall better mental and physical health. When you wake up in the morning, what do you devote yourself to? Staying fit and strong, completing a project of your own or volunteering your time and knowledge to a cause? Click for more on the benefits of finding your purpose.
   

If you want more of this in your life, follow us for more.

We are excited to make this a fun and enjoyable journey. TOGETHER!