6 Japanese Longevity Secrets We Can All Adopt

According to a study, the Japanese are the runners-up in the world in terms of longevity, second only to the citizens of Monaco. The average life expectancy in Japan is approximately 85.3 years. In comparison, Americans live, on average, up to 80 years.

Here in the awesome.club, we really want to learn about the secrets of longevity and share them with you. So go ahead and grab your notebooks, because here are some of the reasons Japanese people live so long.

Traditional Japanese diet is healthy and balanced

The typical Japanese diet is rich in grains and vegetables, and people don’t eat as much red meat as they do in the United States or Western Europe, for example. Red meat has much more cholesterol than fish, which increases your chances of developing heart disease, having heart attacks and strokes.

The Japanese don’t usually consume a lot of dairy products (a source of saturated fat, which can contribute to the development of heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s). In addition, they tend to eat smaller portions of food and drink a lot of green tea instead of coffee (the drink is rich in antioxidants).

Taking care of the elderly and helping around the house is an important Japanese tradition. Multigenerational families are common in the country, which means that two or more generations can live in the same house. This is usually an important form of protection and psychological support for the elderly, giving them a better quality of life.

The term “ikigai” literally means “reason for being”. This is a concept that involves the idea of ​​having a direction or purpose in life. It originated in Japan and is now gaining popularity all over the world. The Japanese psychologist Michiko Kumano associates ikigai with people who dedicate themselves to the habits and activities they like most and find full satisfaction in them.

Researchers at Tohoku University found that people who know and practice ikigai may have a reduced risk of developing heart disease and even have a chance to live longer.

Many people remember viral videos of Japanese students cleaning schools themselves and Japan fans picking up the rubbish they produced in stadiums after World Cup games. Yes, Japan has a reputation for being one of the “cleanest” nations in the world (which is clear when looking at the number of pests in Japan compared to Europe). And there is no need to prove that cleanliness leads to good health.

Some simple hygiene practices, such as washing hands and taking a shower every day, do not seem to be the “rule” in some countries. But it is clear that maintaining cleanliness helps to avoid illness (especially when you are elderly) and can even prevent the emergence of various illnesses.

“Hara hachi bu” means “eat until you are eight parts (out of ten) full”. This is a philosophy of Confucius, who taught to avoid overeating, and the simplest way to do this would be to eat until you are 80% satisfied. The authors of the article The Okinawa Program: How the World’s Longest-Lived People Achieve Everlasting Health And How You Can Too (“Okinawa Program: How the World’s Longest-Living People Achieve Eternal Health and How You Can, Too” Bradley and Craig Wilcox and Makoto Suzuki suggest that this method can extend lifespan elderly people by restricting the number of calories consumed.

Many Japanese people not only eat healthily, but also walk regularly. Many citizens, especially the elderly, walk, cycle and take trains to work (instead of driving). In fact, cars are not that popular in the country and the public transport network (especially trains) is very efficient. The rail system in the Land of the Rising Sun is considered one of the best on the Planet.

Does your family have traditions from other cultures? Have you ever been to Japan or know someone who has? We would be happy to read your comments!