The Japanese secret to longevity - simple and anyone can do it

(Dan Tri) - Japanese people, especially the elderly in Okinawa, where many people live the longest in the world, believe that ikigai (living each day with joy, purpose and contributing to society) is the secret to longevity.

One of the most popular books on longevity is "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life," written by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles.

Ikigai is a concept that comes from Japanese culture. It can be understood as a reason for living or what makes you want to wake up every morning. Ikigai is loosely translated as the happiness of being busy and focused on one's true purpose in life. It is said that finding your ikigai will make life more meaningful.

Finding your own philosophy and passion will help you find life meaningful and live longer (Illustration: Getty Images).

In Okinawa, Japan, a blue zone with some of the world's longest-living people, ikigai is a common theme, according to García and Miralles, who interviewed some of the world's oldest people, according to CNBC Make It .

There's a Japanese proverb that says, "If you stay active, you'll want to live to be a hundred." And García and Miralles encourage you to stay active by immersing yourself in your ikigai. Knowing why you wake up in the morning makes you healthier, happier, and adds seven years to your life.

Here are 10 rules they discovered that make living your purpose-driven life more seamless:

- Stay active, don't retire.

Many of the world's longest-lived people continue to work into their 80s and 90s, or never retire. Take Jayne Burns, a 100-year-old woman who works at a craft store in Ohio; Burns joked that her only wish on her birthday after turning 100 was to "keep working."

- Take it easy, slowly.

According to García and Miralles, rushing and rushing may be normal, but it can actually negatively impact your quality of life. Instead, they recommend taking your time and seeing how it could be more meaningful to your life.

- Don't eat too much.

Typically, the centenarians the authors spoke to recommended eating only 80 percent of what’s on your plate. Side dishes, the snacks we eat when we know deep down we don’t really need them, may bring short-term pleasure, but not having them will make us happier in the long run.

According to Blue Zones , people in blue zones stop eating when their stomachs are 80% full and eat their smallest meals in the early evening.

The 80% approach is also important for people who may tend to feel too full or bloated when eating a large meal. Feeling too full is a cause of discomfort, negative feelings…

- Surround yourself with good friends.

According to an 85-year Harvard study, having great relationships in life is linked to happiness and longevity.

The Okinawan centenarians that García and Miralles interviewed prioritized spending time together at community centers in their villages and often participated in games and light activities that bonded the community.

- Keep fit

Exercise is a key component to longevity. Even if you're not into heavy lifting, there are still five-minute stretches like the ones Okinawa's oldest residents do every day.

The short workout that Japan's longest-lived people do every day is called radio taiso or raijo taiso. It translates as radio exercise, so named because the moves were broadcast on the radio in 1929.

Radio taiso consists of 2 parts, each part consists of 13 movements, mainly simple movements such as aerobics, stretching, moving arms, legs and other body parts.

- Smile

“It's good to recognize things aren't great, but we should never forget what a privilege it is to be here and now in a world filled with such possibilities,” García and Miralles write.

- Immerse yourself in nature

Take time to get some fresh air and go for a walk, even if you live in the city. Spending time in nature may seem like a waste of time, but it can boost your productivity, improve your mood, and improve your memory.

- Be grateful

Gratitude is a great way to remind yourself of all the good things in life. Take time to share your appreciation for loving family, great friends, or even yourself.

- Live in the present

“Don't regret the past and don't fear the future. Today is all you have. Make the most of it. Make it worth remembering,” García and Miralles wrote.

- Follow your ikigai

Discover what your passion is and let it drive you. Having an ikigai will add purpose to your life and can lead to more happiness.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/bi-quyet-song-tho-cua-nguoi-nhat-don-gian-ai-cung-lam-duoc-20250512083758960.htm