Have you ever wondered why the Japanese people from Okinawa, a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, live so long – and happily, flexibly and smilingly? While we are already looking for discounts on collagen supplements and massage chairs in our fifties, they are still gardening, dancing, cooking, socializing and living in their nineties. And the secret is not in a miracle potion or a genetic lottery, but in a simple philosophy called Ikigai.
Ikigai is your “reason to get up in the morning”, the thing that gives your life meaning. It is a Japanese recipe for a long, healthy and satisfied life. It contains ten basic rules – no complications, no expensive equipment and no sauerkraut detoxification. Just common sense, courage and joy of life. Are you ready to discover the secrets of centenarians?
Ikigai: 10 simple rules for a happy, long and fit life the Japanese way
1. Stay active – never stop.
Retirement? Not in Okinawa! People there don't "stop working" because they never "really worked" - they did things that made them happy. Activity is key - whether it's gardening, cooking, making paper flowers or learning a new skill. Movement doesn't have to be fitness, but living every day with purpose.
2. Don't overeat - eat up to 80 %.
Hara hachi bu – the rule that says: stop eating when you're 80 % full. Simple? Not exactly, but the Japanese practice it every day. This way you don't strain your digestion, you maintain energy, and you stay slim even without a strict diet. Less is more, literally.
3. Enjoy slowly.
Rushing kills. The Japanese know that life is not a race. It is the tea ceremony. It is lunch without a phone. It is a slow walk home and a conversation with a neighbor. When you do things with awareness, you do them better – and with more inner peace.
4. Surround yourself with good friends.
The power of community is at the heart of ikigai. Do you have your own mini-village of friends? If not, start building one. Friendships, socializing, teatime conversations – all of these connections prevent loneliness, depression, and even heart disease. In Okinawa, they even have a special system called “moai” – a group of people who stand by each other throughout their lives.
5. Connect with nature.
Nature is a priceless therapist. The Japanese worship nature – they walk in the forest, touch the trees, listen to the river. And yes, science confirms it: forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) reduces stress, blood pressure and improves mood. When was the last time you hugged a tree?
6. Laugh!
Laughter is not childish, it is healthy. The Japanese are masters of smiling eyes and respectful ease. Laughter releases happy hormones, reduces stress and even extends life. It also makes wrinkles more attractive than any filler.
7. Be grateful.
Take a moment every day to be grateful. Even if your day was terrible, you can be grateful for a hot shower, breakfast, the cat's meow. Gratitude shifts your brain from "what am I missing" to "I have enough of everything." And that's magic.
8. Stay in shape – for your next birthday.
Not for bikini season, not for the opinions of others. But for yourself – so that next year you can still dance, walk, laugh. Okinawans do bodyweight exercises, do stretching exercises, and walk a lot. No fitness cards. Just dedication to yourself.
9. Follow your ikigai.
Find what inspires you. It doesn't have to be your job - it can be a hobby, a passion, a childhood dream. Ikigai is the feeling that your life has meaning. When you find that, your mornings start with a smile, not with counting the hours until the weekend.
10. Live in the moment.
You are not yesterday. You are not tomorrow. You are now. The Japanese way of life emphasizes awareness. Eat as if you are tasting rice for the first time. Drink tea as if it were medicine. Be with a person as if they were the only one. The moment now is the only real moment – and the only one that counts.
Ikigai is not a fad. It is an ancient philosophy that works. The proof is in the vital centenarians who, at 98, are still cooking for their grandchildren, tending to their gardens, and laughing like children. And even though we don't live in Okinawa, we can take a small step every day towards more meaning, more health, and more inner fulfillment. Maybe it's time for you to find your ikigai too?
Last updated 2025-05-15 / Affiliate links / Photo source: Amazon Product Advertising API
