In their book Ikigai, authors Hector Garcia and Francesc and Miralles take us on a journey to Japan and share some life-changing tools. In one of the chapters, the authors conduct a total of one hundred interviews, asking the eldest members of the community about their life philosophy and the secrets to longevity. Based on these conversations, they derive a number of simple, yet profound, lessons as described below.
Don’t worry
The secret to a long life is not to worry. And to keep your heart young — don’t let it grow old. Open your heart to people with a nice smile on your face. If you smile and open your heart, everyone will want to see you.
If you want to avoid stress, particularly when it comes to social interactions, the best way is to go out in the street and say hello to people. Whatever the situation, remind yourself to be positive.
Cultivate good habits
Waking up early morning is the key. Almost every centenarian practices this habit. Creating a routine and do some gentle exercises every day also helps. Similarly, it is important to keep yourself occupied throughout the day. Doing little things, working in the garden, taking walks, they all help. The authors noticed that all these centenarians were busy throughout the day. They would help each other with everything from work in the fields to building houses and municipal projects.
Nurture your friendships every day
Getting together with friends is one of the most important things for most centenarians. Some go dancing with friends, some enjoy tea with family and neighbours, some simply talk and share things with their loved ones. They celebrate all the time, even little things. And when they celebrate, they always make sure that they belong to some form of association or gathering, where they feel cared for.
Happiness is rarely achieved in isolation; you are much more likely to be happy when you share a part of your life with the ones who care about you.
Live an unhurried life
Slow down. And relax. That’s the key to live a long life. The centenarians occupy with tasks that allow them to relax.
If you want to pray, pray. But go slow. If you want to exercise, exercise. Just take your time. If you want to focus, focus. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Taking care of your body and mind is important, and it can only happen when you give yourself enough time.
Be optimistic
Every centenarian the authors interviewed had a positive outlook towards life. They enjoyed laughing at smallest of things. They were grateful, always optimistic. They were giving back to the community, helping others and enjoying that process. Sometimes they would sing and dance and do whatever their heart says — but they never give up.
Kalampedia 