Have you ever wondered why the Japanese of Okinawa, a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, live so long and are happy, flexible and smiling? While we fifty -year -olds are already looking for discounts on collagen supplements and massage armchairs, they who are ninety years old continue to devote themselves to gardening, to dance, to cook, to socialize and live. And the secret is not in a miraculous potion or in a genetic lottery, but in a simple philosophy called Ikigai.
Ikigai It is the “reason why you get up in the morning”, what gives meaning to your life. It is a Japanese recipe for a long, healthy and satisfying life. It contains ten fundamental rules: no complications, no expensive equipment and no detoxification with sauerkraut. Only common sense, courage and desire to live. Are you ready to discover the secrets of the centenarians?
Ikigai: 10 simple rules for a happy, long and fit life according to the Japanese method
1. Stay active, never stop.
Retirement? Not in Okinawa! There people don’t “stop working” because they never really “worked”: they did things that made them happy. Physical activity is fundamental, whether it is gardening, cuisine, creation of paper flowers or learning new skills. The movement is not necessarily synonymous with physical fitness, but of daily life with a purpose.
2. Do not eat too much: eats up to 80 %.
HARA HACHI BU – The rule that says: you stop eating when you are satisfied at 80%. Easy? Not exactly, but the Japanese practice it every day. In this way you do not weigh down the digestion, keep the energies and stay in shape even without a rigid diet. The less it is better, literally.
3. Enjoy slowly.
The haste kills. Japanese know that life is not a race. It’s a tea ceremony. It is a phone without a phone. You go home slowly and chat with a neighbor. When you do things with awareness, you do them better and with more inner peace.
4. Surrounded by good friends.
The power of the community is the heart of Ikigai. Do you have your mini-village of friends? Otherwise, start building it. Friendships, socialization, conversations in front of a cup of tea: all these contacts prevent solitude, depression and even heart disease. In Okinawa there is even a special system called “Moai”: a group of people who remain side by side for life.
5. Connect with nature.
Nature is a priceless therapist. The Japanese venerate nature: they walk in the forest, touch the trees, listen to the river. And yes, science confirms it: the bathroom in the forest (Shinrin-Yoku) reduces stress, blood pressure and improves mood. When was the last time you hugged a tree?
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6. Laughing!
Laughing is not childish, it is healthy. The Japanese are masters in smiling with eyes and showing respectful ease. Laughter releases happiness hormones, reduces stress and even lengthens life. And it makes wrinkles more attractive than any fillers.
7. Be grateful.
Take a moment every day and be grateful. Even if the day was terrible, you can be grateful for a hot shower, for breakfast, for the cat’s meow. Gratitude moves the brain from “what do I miss?” At the “I have enough of everything”. And this is magic.
8. Manty fit for your next birthday.
Not for the bikini season, not for the opinions of others. But for yourself, so you can still dance, walk and laugh next year. The inhabitants of Okinawa do free body exercises, stretching exercises and walk a lot. No fitness card. Only dedication to yourself.
9. Follow your ikigai.
Find what inspires you. It must not necessarily be your job: it can be a hobby, a passion, a childhood dream. Ikigai is the feeling that your life makes sense. When you discover this, in the morning it starts with a smile and not with the count of the hours that are missing for the weekend.
10. Live the moment.
You left yesterday. There is no tomorrow. Now you are there. Japanese lifestyle emphasizes awareness. Eat it as if you were tasting the rice for the first time. Drink tea as if it were a medicine. Are you with a person as if he were the only one. The present moment is the only real moment, and the only one who matters.
Ikigai is not a passing fashion. It is an ancient philosophy that works. The test is the vitality of the centenarians who, at 98 years old, still cook for their grandchildren, take care of the garden and laugh like children. And even if we no longer live Okinawa, we can take a small step every day towards more meaning, more health and more inner realization. Maybe the time has come for you too to find your Ikigai?
Last updated 2025-05-01 / Affiliation link / photo source: Amazon Product Advertising API
