Tips for Life Longevity from the Japanese

For a long time now, Japan has occupied the top of global life expectancy charts. To this day they can be found in second place behind Hong Kong, topping their life expectancy at 84.79 years. This fact makes you think, do they have the fountain of youth? After some research, it was clear that their secret to long life is not mystical or magical, but more about their lifestyle. Here are a few tips that could help our bodies to keep on kicking for years to come.

1. Healthy food choices: The Japanese diet is famous for being heavy on seafood and low on red meat. This alone promotes cardiovascular health. Additionally, the Japanese diet generally follows a very low sodium and sugar intake, in turn preventing many more diseases like diabetes. Soybeans and seaweed are also staples in the cuisine, both promoting health benefits as they contain anti-cancer properties and vitamins. 

2. Staying active: In the Japanese archipelago of Okinawa, there is no translation for the word retirement. Even on the mainland, officials encourage older members to delay retirement or even pick up a job post career! Furthermore, the lifestyle of the Japanese is very active, walking and taking public transportation are far more common than driving by car, and this practice starts young! According to one study, 98% of Japanese children either walk or bike to school. Moreover, the Japanese seem to have a great appreciation for nature. Hiking and outings in nature settings are both very popular past times.

3. Finding purpose: The Japanese have contributed to the world in many ways. Notably, of course, through their tasty cuisine and unique forms of entertainment, but one of their offerings that seem to go overlooked is a concept they call Ikigai. Ikigai, which roughly translates to “reason for being”, is the idea that by finding one’s passion, what one is good at, what one can be paid for, and what the world needs, one may find a reason to get out of bed and continue to LIVE. Though it may seem a bit cliché, finding a purpose to live or at least striving towards one may lead to a happier life. And though happiness by itself will not cause a longer life, lower levels of depression and anxiety are known to improve one’s mental health and wellbeing.

Following these tips alone cannot guarantee a longer life. There are simply way too many factors that take place daily that can influence our life span such as genetics, environmental factors, employment. Nevertheless, these tips can be a start towards a healthier lifestyle, and the fact of the matter is that the healthier you are, the higher your chances are of living a longer time. In summary, make healthy choices, keep that body moving, and keep that spirit alive by finding a reason to live! Arigato.

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By: Ryan Watanabe 

Placement Specialist at WellPath Partners