[ad_1]
In Japan’s Okinawa Island, nicknamed the “island of longevity”, locals seem to refuse to die.
Residents suffer from low levels of heart disease, cancer and dementia and share a community and purpose oriented lifestyle.
The land has been known as the land of immortals, and is one of the world’s five ‘blue zones’ with the highest concentration of centenarians.
Heart disease and strokes are uncommon. Cancer rates are low. Older people are not dropped into homes and forgotten about in this beautiful island just north of Taiwan. In fact, many work well into their 80s and 90s.
The once independent kingdom had its share of hardships and suffering. It was forcibly assimilated into Japan in the late 1800, and it was one of the bloodiest battlefields of World War II. It is to this day the poorest of all of Japan’s provinces.
Yet, sun-drenched Okinawa hosts an impressive longevity record, that has engrossed the scientific community for decades. With the guest for longevity and health gathering speed, Okinawa inhabitants can teach us a lot.
“A more positive way of looking at it is the idea that lifestyle can be medicine. Lifestyle changes can significantly improve our health, cure some diseases and significantly extend our lives.”
Using statistics from a 25-year study backed by Japan’s Health Ministry, the book paints an almost perfect picture of Okinawan health.
It will come as no surprise that the research shows that longevity is determined by genes, environment and lifestyle, with lifestyle having a much greater impact than genes.
With that in mind, here are the 4 secrets scientists have learned from Japan’s oldest people:
1) Purpose is important
Society in Okinawa is structured around purpose. so older residents retain purpose, or ikigai, in their lives.
“Ikigai” is a Japanese word that means finding a sense of purpose or a reason to jump out of bed every morning.
It is a holistic exercise advocated in Japanese culture that allows a person to identify and move towards their passion with a structured approach. Okinawans believe that one should adopt a hobby in order to live a life imbued with a purpose that gives them clear roles of responsibility and a sense of being needed, even at 100 years old!
2) Eat a plant-based, low calorie diet
Most Okinawan elders have been on a plant-based diet since childhood. Their meals include stir-fried vegetables, sweet potatoes, soybeans and tofu (fermented soy only), which are rich in nutrients and low in calories. Fermented soy foods contribute to a healthy intestinal ecology and offer even better nutritional benefits.
They also observe the 80% rule, according to which they must stop eating when their stomachs are 80% full. This calorie restriction has been
Additionally, Okinawan culture treats food as medicine and utilises many practices from traditional Chinese medicine. As such, the diet includes herbs and spices known for having health benefits, such as turmeric.
3) Keep active
Most Okinawans are active walkers and gardeners, lead a highly active life and work until old age.
According to various reports, the centenarians of the region either grow or once grew a garden in their backyard and the activity helps them fulfil their daily quota of physical activity and exercise that the body requires.
Other than helping the centenarians stay active even in their 100s, gardening also acts as a constant source of fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits and natural medicines.
The Okinawan household has very little furniture; residents take meals and relax sitting on tatami mats on the floor. The fact that old people get up and down off the floor several dozen times daily builds lower body strength and balance, which help protect against dangerous falls.
4) Build strong community ties
Studies have shown that human interaction is essential for brain development. Socialising and being with others help to release important chemicals in our bodies that aid physical, emotional, and intellectual health and well-being.
No surprise that Okinawans maintain close bonds between residents. Most join one or more moai, an informal group of friends and peers who meet regularly, bond over shared interests and pool monthly contributions to help members in need or support public works.
Moai is one of their longevity traditions and these groups traditonally start in childhood and extend into the 100s. The term originated hundreds of years ago as a means of a village’s financial support system.
Originally, moais were formed to pool the resources of an entire village for projects or public works. If an individual needed capital to buy land or take care of an emergency, the only way was to pool money locally. Today the idea has expanded to become more of a social support network, a cultural tradition for built-in companionship.
“Safe social networks end up providing financial and emotional support in times of need, giving them the stress-relieving security of knowing they are not alone.”
It is interesting to note that in all five blue zones cultures, social connectedness is ingrained into the culture.
The idea is both empowering and proven to contribute to longevity and health span. By finding the right tribe, you’ll not only add years to your life, but you’ll enjoy your time here just a little more.
[ad_2]
