In ancient China, the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, was obsessed with living forever.
His ambition was to live a long life and rule his nation for as long as he could.
As the emperor's fear of death increased, he sent his troops to remote islands and
mountainous areas to look for elixirs that would keep him alive forever. But unfortunately,
they all returned empty-handed since the elixir of immortality did not exist.
But little did the emperor know about Okinawa,
a nearby isolated island whose people held a secret, not to immortality, but longevity.
The question is, how do Okinawans manage to live so long?
Well, researchers have identified several key factors that contribute to their longevity. So,
if you want to find out what they are, you clicked on the right video.
We all aspire to live long, healthy lives,
but achieving this goal often depends on the lifestyle we choose to follow.
If you're looking to age gracefully and maintain good health, consider learning from the residents
of Okinawa. This Japanese island is famous for its exceptional longevity, with many inhabitants
maintaining nutritious diets and active lifestyles well into their golden years.
While the people of Okinawa don't live forever, they do often celebrate their 100th birthdays in
good health, while watching their children and grandchildren carry on their core principles.
A recent report revealed that the global average life expectancy is 72.6 years, while Japan boasts
an impressive 84.6 years. Furthermore, more than 29% of Japan's population is 65 years or older.
These statistics may prompt the question: Have the Japanese discovered the secret to immortality?
Well, not quite, but they have certainly uncovered the keys to good health and longevity.
So, if you want to know what these secrets are, here you go!
Secret #6, Maintain a healthy diet.
"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."
This ancient advice from the Greek physician Hippocrates,
given in the 5th century, is exemplified in the Japanese diet and serves as one of
the main reasons for their exceptional longevity.
The Japanese consume a wholesome, well-balanced diet that includes lean proteins and healthy fats
from omega-3-rich fish, rice, whole grains, tofu, soy, miso, seaweed,
and vegetables. These nutrient-dense foods are low in saturated fats and sugars and high in
vitamins and minerals, which reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic illnesses.
This nourishing diet has contributed to an astonishingly low obesity rate in Japan,
while other nations grapple with this issue. A mere 4.3% of the Japanese population is obese,
compared to 36.2% in the United States.
As obesity is a leading cause of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart
disease, it is no wonder that the Japanese enjoy longer lives due to their healthy eating habits.
A recent study published by the BMJ revealed that individuals who
adhered to the Japanese government's dietary guidelines experienced a 15%
decrease in their mortality rate compared to those who did not.
So, if your goal is good health as you age,
consider adopting the Japanese way of eating. Treat yourself to some
delicious sushi or a steaming bowl of noodle soup. Your body will surely appreciate it.
Secret #5, Practice "Hara hachi bun me," also known as conscious eating.
Let's do a quick survey, hit the like button if you often eat your meals on the couch
while watching television or browsing your phone. If that sounds like you,
chances are you're not paying attention to what you eat and how you eat.
In Japan, the phrase 'hara hachi bun me' is commonly used to advise
people to stop eating when they are 80% full. This
Confucian teaching roughly translates to "eat until you are eight parts full."
So, what does this mean, and how does it relate to longevity? Research indicates
that microorganisms in the gut play a role in the aging process. Moreover,
overeating leads to poor gut health, which can cause inflammatory stress in the body,
often linked to strokes, dementia, and heart disease. To prevent overeating, the Japanese use
the saying 'hara hachi bun me' as a reminder to stop eating before they feel too full.
You see, eating food slowly and in smaller portions is another factor contributing
to the extended lifespan of Japanese people. They typically serve meals on
numerous small plates and sit on the floor to eat together. Additionally,
they use chopsticks, which naturally slow down their eating pace, promoting better digestion.
In other words, the secret to a long and healthy
life isn't solely about your diet. How you eat is equally important.
Secret #4, Join a "social group," also known as moai.
According to scientific evidence,
maintaining an active social life is one of the most common secrets to longevity.
However, the Japanese have been doing this long before researchers presented their findings.
Though Okinawa is a sparsely populated island,
the people there live in clusters surrounded by their close family members.
The elders on this island live a long and healthy life because they are so
active in their communities. They form a circle of close friends who often meet to
share their problems and help each other out. They usually spend the day chatting,
eating together, trading stories, and sharing gifts.
These small groups are called "moai." And it helps them build a solid social network that
will be there for them in their senior years. These groups can provide financial and emotional
support when their members are in need. This makes it possible for older people to depend less on
their families. And it frees them from the feeling that they are a burden on those around them.
Generally, connecting with friends, family, and people outside of your immediate social
circle can help you feel better physically and give you a more positive attitude.
The bottom line is you need to keep in touch with
your loved ones and maintain an active social life if you want to live longer.
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Secret #3, Find your ikigai.
Similar to the Danish concept of 'hygge' or the French idea of 'joie de vivre',
the Japanese live with 'ikigai.'
What is ikigai? You probably have never asked yourself this question,
but let me explain it to you.
The Japanese phrase ikigai refers to "your reason for being." In Japanese,
the word "iki" means "life," and the word "gai" means "value" or "worth." Ikigai is all about
finding your life's purpose, what makes you happy, and what inspires you to get out of bed every day.
The ikigai ideology is mostly popular in Okinawa, a Japanese island with the
highest rate of centenarians and the longest life expectancy in the world.
Okinawans believe that it is vital to have a purpose in life and that
you can find fulfilment in many aspects of your life, such as assisting others,
eating healthy food, and spending time with your loved ones.
Interestingly, science has shown that they might be on to something. According to research,
having a purpose in life has been linked to better sleep and fewer illnesses,
which in turn increases your life expectancy.
So, if you want to live a few years longer, you should learn
from the Okinawans. Find your "ikigai," and you'll be happy and have a reason to live.
The second secret is maintaining an active lifestyle.
We all know that being inactive is bad for your health and can cut your life short.
In fact, studies show that adults who live a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to
get four or more health problems over 20 years. The Japanese don't
have this problem because their daily activities involve a lot of movement.
Around 98% of Japanese children walk or cycle to school, while rajio taiso,
a type of warm-up exercise, is aired on the radio every morning across the country. Also,
most adults usually walk or ride their bicycles to the train station,
stand throughout the entire train ride, and then walk the remaining distance to their workplace.
Even when the Japanese sit, they do it healthily. The Japanese people habitually sit on the floor
during meal times or kneel while socializing. This keeps their bodies strong and flexible.
The Japanese culture places great importance on daily physical activity,
and this practice continues well into old age.
That is why in Japan, you will find many elderly people comfortably walking or cycling around.
The lesson we can all take from this is that incorporating more
movement into our daily lives can lead to significant improvements in our well-being.
By staying active and maintaining a regular exercise routine,
we can promote better overall health and potentially extend our lifespan.
Lastly, secret 1 is the idea of Kaizen.
If you want successfully apply the secrets mentioned in this
video to your daily life, you need to understand and embrace the idea of Kaizen.
What do I mean by this?
Kaizen is the Japanese concept of continuous self-improvement through the use of small, gradual
steps. This leads to the formation of long-term habits and routines that can help you succeed in
the long run. This way of thinking is beneficial in both our personal and professional lives.
Instead of making significant life changes overnight, you should start by making small
changes every day. Focus on getting 1% better each and every day. At first,
the changes will seem insignificant. But you will slowly start to see the improvements,
and over time, there will be profound positive changes.
n any pursuit, it's essential not to expect instant results. For example,
if your goal is longevity, resist the temptation to try all the practices mentioned in this video
at once. Instead, take it slow. Start by incorporating one new routine into your day;
if that goes well, add another. Attempting to tackle everything simultaneously can lead to
stress and demotivation, undermining your progress towards your goals.
In conclusion, the people of Okinawa are living proof that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can add
years to one's life expectancy. Fortunately, the Okinawan way of life is not difficult to emulate.
The Okinawan people have been doing it for centuries,
and now the world knows its secrets to live a long life. Now that you know some of them,
please use this information well. And while at it, keep in mind that some of
these methods may work for you while others may not. Still, there's no harm in giving them a try.
That brings us to the end of the video. Thank you so much for watching and staying with me
till the end. If you have any comments or thoughts you would like to share,
please do so in the comment section below. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Lastly, remember to like and share this video with your family and friends. And
remember to subscribe to this channel if you haven't. Until next time, have a lovely day.