Ikigai is a Japanese phrase for the "art of life." To break it down, "Iki" means to live and "gai" means reason. Living a purposeful life and being aware of your likes and dislikes. Hector Garcia and Francesc Miller wrote this lovely self-help book.
The book begins with the writers visiting Okinawa, Japan's southernmost region, which boasts the highest number of centenarians, or people who have lived for more than a century.
Penguin Books released the book, which contains 208 pages.
Let's get to the narrative now.
Okinawa has the highest number of centenarians in the world. Hector and Miller go there to find out the secret of their long life and interview the older locals. They also make an effort to discover the true meaning of Ikigai.
However, this title not only covers Japanese strategies for longevity, but the authors also go to other regions of the world and examine diverse cultures and yoga practices from India, for example. As I previously stated, it is a self-help book, not fiction in which a boy meets a woman and encounters obstacles until a twist occurs and the reader believes it is easy and interesting to read.
Overall, the books describe how to live a longer and better life by discovering your Ikigai via experience, recommendations, and practices.
What is the key to excellent health, longevity, and happiness?
According to the researchers, your lifestyle, nutrition, and climate, particularly if you reside in a semi-tropical region. And, of course, your Ikigai.
"Everyone has their own Ikigai," yet it is unique to each individual, depending on abilities and values. It always represents a person's inner self and demonstrates what they can achieve effortlessly while also enjoying it.
I don't write extensive paragraphs to divert your attention away from my quick evaluation.
1. Find and follow your Ikigai.
Finding your ikigai is one thing; earning a livelihood from it is quite another! So fulfilling your aspirations while earning your daily bread with your Ikigai is mostly concerned with these four questions.
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What kind of employment do I excel at?
- What is the outside world thinking about me?
- From Which work I can earn?
If you do not identify your Ikigai immediately, you will wander through life, changing your objectives constantly and relying on materialistic life.
2. Take it slow.
Writers discuss Okinawan natives who always live slow-paced life. "hurry flurry" is an alien word for them. They approach everything with enthusiasm and attentiveness. They've learned to appreciate whatever they do. They never miss out on music and group dancing.
Their day begins slowly, and they never miss an opportunity to converse with others. They are constantly open to new ideas and live in the present moment. They hardly utilize technology in their daily lives. The rest of the culture is always in a hurry from dawn to dusk.
They claim that being in hurry has a negative impact on your quality of work.
3. Don't fill your stomach
This heading may appear weird, but it is an important step. Okinawan centenarians mostly follow a diet that is widely regarded as a key element in their longevity.
Now we'll look at the Okinawa diet, which includes eating fruits and vegetables at least five times every day. Specifically, green tea, soy sprouts, seaweed, tofu, and so forth. Cane sugar is used instead of normal sugar. The average daily calorie consumption is 1.9 Kcal, while the daily salt intake is only 7 grams.
There is one more teaching introduced by Confucius called "Hara Hachi bu" which means "eat just 80 percent full". Eating more than that may cause digestion to slow.
How do Okinawans practice Hara Hachi bu?
They eat slowly and on little plates while concentrating on their meal.
4. Surround yourself with friends.
Okinawa is a tiny Japanese island where everyone knows everyone. There is frequently a strong relationship between residents. These people like being a part of the community. They are always there for their partners when they are in need. They meet people for tea or coffee every day and always make time for them.
They also establish the "Moai" community, which serves as a social support group. This organization contributes significantly to public welfare efforts. Typically, five children constitute a Moai from childhood.
Friends influence your mood. We are usually cheerful and positive after spending time with them. But not Facebook or any Twitter friends author say us.
Friendship in Okinawa is built on supporting one other with similar interests rather than on negative habits like smoking or drinking.
5. Smile
Okinawa has frequently encountered a scarcity of imported products and services. They meet every challenge with a grin on their faces. This inspires and empowers them. They constantly have a positive mindset. It calms them down and allows them to meet new people. Smiling lowers heart rate and blood pressure while also refreshing the body.
6. Reconnect with nature.
Every residence in Okinawa has a vegetable garden. Shikuwasa, mango, and tea are common crops. They sell their produce at the local market and make new friends.
When you are surrounded by vegetation, you are less likely to develop breathing problems or cancer. Seeing greenery helps you feel good, soothes your nervous system, and calms your thoughts.
7. Give thanks
Okinawans have a tendency of thanking everyone and everything. This involves thanking their forefathers, nature for food and other necessities, and ultimately, friends and family, and well-wishers.
To commemorate harvest season, a tug of war known as "Naha" is held.
Thanking makes people happier, decreases stress and anxiety, and makes them healthier and more contented. It also boosts immunity.
8. Exercise
When the writers arrived in Okinawa, they noticed old people in their 90s who were still active. They dislike remaining at home and watching television all day and prefer to get up early in the morning at sunrise. Every day, they walk more. Take part in karaoke and dancing.
Going to the gym and performing heavy workouts to bulk up is not their thing. However, little exercise every day at dawn helps to maintain healthy bones, gives vitamins, and improves mood.
The majority of them are martial artists. The authors recommend that you do yoga or tai chi to maintain your body fit and healthy.
9. Live in the moment.
This is entirely about the Japanese, not only Okinawa. Their commitment and engagement in all that they undertake.
They claim that the flow is nothing more than a mental state in which one is completely immersed in one's task. It includes peak performance and focuses. And pleasure. It provides the impression of being alive.
How can you develop flow when doing a boring task?
They recommend beginning with a modest activity that you are familiar with. Then go on to a little more difficult one, and so on. Finally, choose the most difficult one.
Don't start with the most difficult one since it will annoy you and disrupt your flow, causing you to abandon the entire task.
Bill Gates washes his plate every night before going to bed. Which he appreciates and uses to cleanse his thoughts. He begins with a plate, then a fork, and so on.
10. Never retire
In Okinawa, the word "retirement" is not favorably welcomed. Even the elderly get up early in the morning. They live their lives with purpose every day. You miss your Ikigai if you retire. So, instead of worrying about making more money, aim to have a happy and meaningful life.
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