The Japanese secrets to a longer life - Find a purpose

Mar 01, 2023, 05:51:28 PM IST

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Find a purpose

Discovering your ikigai, a concept closely linked to the long life expectancy in Japan, means finding a reason for being or something that makes life fulfilling. Japanese individuals are acutely aware of the importance of identifying their ikigai in order to maintain a sense of purpose and enjoyment in life, whether it be raising their children or pursuing a hobby that brings them satisfaction and fulfillment.

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Enough is enough

The residents of Okinawa Island in Japan, where many people live for more than a century, adhere to the Hara hachi bu approach to eating, which involves stopping eating when they are approximately 80% full. The belief is that consuming only the necessary amount of food, rather than overeating, can potentially delay cellular aging.

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Small change

According to Sarah Harvey, author of the book "Kaizen: The Japanese Method for Transforming Habits, One Small Step at a Time," Kaizen is a reliable technique to help individuals overcome unhealthy addictions. The term Kaizen, which means "good change" in English, emphasizes that making small, gradual changes is essential in creating permanent habit transformations, rather than resorting to drastic measures.

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Go down to the woods

The well-known Japanese custom of shinrin-yoku, also known as "forest bathing," involves completely immersing oneself in a natural setting and engaging as many senses as possible, such as listening to the rustling of leaves and smelling the damp earth. This practice has been demonstrated to lower stress levels and alleviate feelings of depression.

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Maintaining harmony

Neuroscientist Ken Mogi, the author of "The Way of Nagomi," defines nagomi as a Japanese custom that is often referred to as the key to a peaceful existence, involving a sense of balance, comfort, and serenity in one's mind and heart. The notion of nagomi suggests that it is preferable to avoid confrontations that may lead to decisive outcomes at all costs. Mogi explains that attaining a state of nagomi can alleviate stress, tension, and discord.

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The Japanese secrets to a longer life - Find a purpose - The Economic Times (2024)

Find a purpose

Enough is enough

Small change

Go down to the woods

Maintaining harmony