There are several regions in the world where the average life expectancy of residents is far above the norm. The percentage of centenarians in these places is several times higher than in other regions of the world. One of these places is Japan, specifically Okinawa—the island of centenarians. Scientists have been wondering for many years what could influence such a long life expectancy of its inhabitants. Of course, this doesn't mean that such people can't come from other regions, but this place is a real sensation worldwide. After extensive study of the case, many interesting conclusions were drawn.
Japanese attitude to life
The Japanese are the most fascinating people when it comes to longevity – up to 10 percent of the world's population lives in Japan. The world population of centenarians. The lifestyle and philosophy among the inhabitants of this country is very specific and differs significantly from Europe. This philosophy is called ikigai. The word means pleasure and the essence of life. In Japanese, iki is the verb "to live," while gai literally means "reason." The ikigai philosophy is described as a system of motivation that makes us get up every day. Each of them has a reason. For some, it will work to see the sun, or to have morning coffee or tea. This idea dominates the lives of most Japanese, and they also try to stay in harmony with nature. Ikigai focuses on the joy of being active and constantly developing one's abilities. Understood in this way, work is no longer a duty; it becomes a good and a value in itself. A value that allows us to appreciate the here and now, we focus on the present moment and enjoy each day. This may seem unimaginable and extremely difficult to implement, but it has become the idea of the entire nation. Constantly striving for development and self-improvement is very important, especially for maintaining a clear mind over many years.
What do the Japanese eat?
Japanese cuisine isn't called the healthiest in the world for nothing. It's based on fresh vegetables and fruit. Many dishes include rice, fresh raw fish, and soy sauce. They often add tofu to their dishes. Tofu is a type of cheese made from soy protein. The Japanese eat very little meat. If anything, it's mostly beef. Moreover, they statistically consume 20% fewer calories than the average resident of the Old Continent. Contrary to appearances, traditional sushi isn't eaten that often.
Japanese Nutrition - Philosophy
Just as they follow a philosophy of life, they also follow a philosophy of nutrition. One of the rules of traditional Japanese cuisine is to serve individual elements of the meal in separate dishes, as well as to place portions on the plate yourself. Another habit is to use chopsticks instead of cutlery. It's not without reason that the quality of the ingredients served on Japanese tables is of the highest quality. The diet of the Japanese largely depends on their geographical location. The state is an island nation, and 70 percent of it is covered in mountains. Over the years, fishing and gathering have developed there. This is a situation very similar to the countries bordering the Mediterranean. For this reason, these diets are similar to each other. Japanese cuisine is characterized by minimal human involvement in meal preparation. Dishes are prepared in such a way that the ingredients are not subjected to excessive heat treatment. Of course, we can find exceptions to this, such as Japanese ramen soup, a type of Japanese broth with additives, or various fried dumplings. Finally, most foods are eaten raw or lightly processed. They also place great importance on the aesthetics of the serving dishes. The Japanese diet menu is based on fresh ingredients, the seasonality of which is also important. It's worth noting that the meal portions are relatively small.
The basis of a typical Japanese dish is, of course, rice. It is the main source of carbohydrates in the daily diet. The Japanese place great importance on this, both in the way it is prepared, served, and consumed. Sugar is worth mentioning here. We have very popular white sugar and sweeteners, but in Japan they are practically nonexistent. They consume large quantities of fresh, raw vegetables, as well as fermented ones. Examples include kimchi and miso. Seafood and fish such as squid, shrimp, salmon, and tuna predominate. The dishes are seasoned with turmeric, rice vinegar, soy sauce, turmeric, and the famous green horseradish - wasabi.
The Japanese approach to physical activity
In the land of cherry blossoms, it's not uncommon to see people exercising in the streets, on sidewalks, or in parks. There's a cult of physical activity and the desire to stay active as much as possible. This is closely linked to longevity. Even people of advanced age by our standards try to stay active. They cultivate home gardens, go for long walks, and continue these activities practically until their deaths. This is the key to their success. Meditation and yoga are also very popular here. From an early age, children are taught in schools to clean up after themselves. It's not surprising that children clean their schools. Group exercises are very popular. Rajio Taiso is a Japanese form of gymnastics that has been known for over 100 years. Perfectly suited to busy people, it is slowly becoming popular in other countries as well. The Japanese claim that three to 15 minutes of daily gymnastics to gentle music helps them maintain their health, mental balance, and well-being.
Respect for the body among the Japanese
In Japan, the proportion of obese people is the lowest in the world. Diet and physical activity naturally play a major role. Obesity is not a question of appearance, but of health, and we should only treat this disease in this category. The Japanese follow the principle - a healthy mind in a healthy body. What can we learn from the Japanese? Definitely a holistic approach to one's own body. Reducing personal hygiene to basic care is irresponsible towards one's own body, and the consequences of an inappropriate lifestyle can be tragic. Why is it worth learning from Japan? Because if you are to be inspired, then only look to the best. They have a very high level of social awareness, but knowledge of a healthy lifestyle is also widespread there.
Why do Japanese people get sick so much less often?
It has already been scientifically proven that the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun get sick significantly less often. This is particularly evident in lifestyle diseases. These include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and obesity. The incidence of nervous system diseases is also very low. Despite their advanced age, they do not suffer from Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis. Above-average amounts of free radicals have been detected in their bodies. This is due to the high amount of antioxidants in their diet and their active lifestyle. Free radicals are responsible for the aging of the body and increase the likelihood of various diseases.
Interestingly, forming strong social bonds is very important for our health. Okinawa has a tradition of creating strong bonds in local communities. Moai is an informal group of people who help each other and have a common interest. For many people, serving the community becomes one of their ikigai. Socializing and maintaining long-term friendships are extremely important to people all over Japan. The quintessence of this can be numerous business meetings, but not only. A common sight is the joint celebration of company employees and superiors outside of working hours.
Summary
Japan is a small island nation, and the lifestyle of its inhabitants should serve as a model for communities of both smaller and larger sizes. Their approach to life is truly fascinating. It's worth implementing these recommendations to reach old age... in good health and, above all, in good shape. However, it's important to remember that not only physical activity and a healthy diet are important, but also a way of life. Rome wasn't built in a day. A dramatic change in lifestyle can be difficult and full of sacrifice. That's why it's worth introducing Japanese rules in small steps.
