The Japanese Lifestyle: Keys to Health, Happiness, and Longevity

2023-11-10 23:15:37

The traditions of the Japanese culture They permeate a lifestyle that, for years, has aroused the interest of the West. Culture and habits intermingle in Japanese life creating the basis of a way of living that has made Japan one of the oldest countries on the planet. According to the UN, in 2023, Hong Kong is the oldest city of the planet with an average of 85.83 years. Furthermore, the island of Okinawa is one of the Blue Zones of the planet (places where more centenarians live). From the diet to education, Japan has its own manual. We compile here some of those lifestyle keys of the country of the rising sun that seems to suit the health and happiness.

4 Japanese habits that bring happiness and longevity

IkigaiHansei, Kintsugi, Ichigo Ichie, Wabi SaysKakebo, Osoji, Shinrin Yoku, Kaizen…the Japanese lifestyle is full of good habits but today we are left with these four:

1. They drink tea all day.

He tea in Japan It has a long history and a deep culture around it that incorporates different rituals. He green tea and matcha They are perhaps the most popular. According to Global Japonese Tea Association, “many people drink tea during food or when they want to relax.” That is, in Japan drink tea all day and that has many health benefits. “Beneficial effects are attributed to tea such as: prevent atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries); decrease the cholesterol and sugar levels in blood; reduce the risk of heart attack; help control the hypertension; protect against cancerFront of osteoporosis (loss of calcium in bones) and even delay aging“says the cardiologist Maria Ramos Lopezfrom Spanish Heart Foundation.

2. Japanese people don’t go to the gym.

Instead of grinding themselves on machines, the Japanese have the habit of performing moderate or low intensity physical activities as walk dailyhow can they be yoga or stretching. One of his favorite activities is to ride bicycle. In schools and offices they practice every morning gentle and relaxed exercises who seek greater amplitude in movement. “If we have a sedentary life and we do sports or exercise 3 times a week, we continue to have a sedentary life 98% of our time (165 hours out of 168 hours per week). Playing sports is an improvement, but it is not enough or the only solution. Change how we move throughout the day and creating daily habits will have a deeper and lasting impact on our health,” says the personal trainer Juanje Ojeda.

3. They practice Hara Hachi Bu.

It is a custom of the island of Okinawa. It literally means “eight parts of the belly” and what it means is that it is healthy to eat only up to 80% of the stomach’s capacity. It could be one of the reasons this island hosts the highest proportion of centenarians in the world, with approximately 5 per 50,100 people. A habit that also benefits weight. In fact, according to Ministry of Health and Nutrition of Japanis one of the countries with lower obesity rate with only 3.5% compared to other countries such as Germany, France and Italy which have between 21% and 22%.”Traditional Okinawan culture does not contemplate diet, but rather eat a little less than you are hungry, stop when you are almost satiated. When they perceive that their stomach is already at 80%, instead of following and even surpassing their appetite, they stop eating and save themselves a little hunger for the next meal,” explains the neuroscientist Sara Teller.

4. They have the good habit of giving thanks.

The Japanese like it to thank all. And it is proven that this habit is very beneficial for the mental health. According to Laura Rojas Marcosdoctor in psychology and health, “For me, gratitude is the close friend of joythe vaccine for pessimism and negativity, and the faithful sister of generosity. Both sisters are the ones who keep us afloat during the adverse storms of life and optimistic spirit, by helping us put our focus on the positive things around us. When gratitude and generosity lend us their eyes, they teach us to observe the world in a kinder way; we learn to appreciate and thank from the simplest things that often go unnoticed, even the most complex ones that become the turning point that marks the before and after in our lives. I think that both gratitude and generosity are the teachers that teach us to value the good side that life offers us. In the words of Lao Tse: “Gratitude is the memory of the heart”.

1699658715
#Japanese #habits #copy #live #longer

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.