- 2016 saw Albert Lea become the first community in the nation to receive the Blue Zones certification.
- The biggest employer sharing similar values is the Mayo Clinic located in Albert Lea.
- Blue Zones have seen the addition of nearly 13 miles of user trails and sidewalks and companies.
2016 saw Albert Lea, Minnesota, become the first community in the nation to receive the Blue Zones certification. Dan Buettner is the community’s leader.
The group encourages walking, socializing, and a healthy diet to live to 100. To get people moving and interacting with one another, more events, healthier school lunches, and dog parks have been added.
“Blue Zone” certification
The biggest employer sharing similar values is the Mayo Clinic located in Albert Lea. To improve pedestrian safety and reduce vehicle emissions, the community constructed a walkway alongside the highway.
Blue Zones have seen the addition of nearly 13 miles of user trails and sidewalks, and companies such as Arcadian Bank support them by providing healthy food options, nursing mothers’ break rooms, and exercise areas for employees to take breaks and move during the workday.
The general well-being, sense of belonging, and sense of purpose of the residents are all higher, according to a self-reported poll.
Hypertension, cholesterol, physical inactivity, and tobacco use have all declined in the community. Food is still difficult to come by, though, particularly in the southern part of the city.
Residents of Albert Lea, who have turned into a Blue Zones community, feel that attempting to improve everyone’s quality of life is what makes the town “it”
