By Melissa Hicks
I’ve been thinking a lot about wellness lately—not just personal health, but how our surroundings shape how we live. I listen to a lot of podcasts, read widely, and ask questions. One idea that keeps popping up is the concept of Blue Zones, places where people live longer, healthier lives. But before you roll your eyes (I’ve heard the skepticism too), I’m not here to sell a brand. I’m more interested in what we can learn from the core principles: move naturally, eat mostly plants, connect deeply, and live with purpose.
And honestly? I think Centre County already checks a lot of those boxes.
We’re growing—about 6.5% population growth between 2010 and 2020, with thousands of new housing units expected by 2025. That kind of growth brings change, but also opportunity. We’ve got walkable neighborhoods, access to fresh food (about 68% of residents live within a mile of it), and a community that’s constantly offering ways to connect. From OLLI classes to Rotary, bowling leagues, trivia nights, and makerspaces, it’s hard to go a day without bumping into someone doing something interesting.
At the same time, we’re not immune to the bigger trends. Nationally, loneliness is being called an epidemic. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that lacking social connection can be as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Centre County might actually be one of the easiest places to flip that script. There are so many ways to connect here…sometimes it feels like the real challenge is just finding space on the calendar!
So instead of asking how we become a Blue Zone, maybe we ask: how do we recognize and grow the Blue and White Zone we already live in? What would it look like to name what’s working, celebrate it, and make it even easier for people to plug in?
To start, I’ve put together a short survey to hear from folks across the county. It’s quick, anonymous, and meant to help us understand how people are living and what they’d like to see more of.
👉 Fill out the survey here: Blue White Zone Survey
Whether you’re someone who’s deeply involved or just curious about what’s out there, your input matters. Let’s keep building a community where living well isn’t a goal, it’s just how we do things.
One Response
I agree, I think we have the foundation for a Blue Zone (Blue White Zone). But I’m not giving up my BBQ and my smoker for a pure plant based diet!!!