LIVING WITH IKIGAI

In a world where we often find ourselves caught up in the chaos of daily life, the Japanese concept of ikigai offers a reminder to live with intention, purpose, and love.

What exactly is Ikigai?

Being translated, this Japanese idea means "the happiness of always being busy”. It never misses a chance to surprise us that this haven of nearly eternal life was located precisely in Okinawa, where two hundred thousand innocent lives were lost at the end of World War II. But instead of holding grudges against foreigners, Okinawans follow the local principle "ichariba chode," which translates to "treat everyone like a brother, even if you've never met them before." They have a long history of yuimaaru, or teamwork, and are always supportive to one another.

 

Nurturing friendships, eating light, getting enough rest, and doing regular, moderate exercise are all part of the equation of good health, but according to Joie De Vivre what inspires these centenarians to keep celebrating birthdays and cherishing each new day is their ikigai. Because those who discover their ikigai have everything they need for a long and joyful journey through life.

In this blog post, we'll explore how embracing ikigai can enrich our relationships, deepen our connections, and infuse our lives with love and meaning.

 

According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai. Some people have found their ikigai, while others are still looking. Our ikigai is hidden deep inside each of us, and finding it requires a patient search. According to those born on Okinawa, the island with the most centenarians in the world, our ikigai is the reason we get up in the morning.

Some tips that will help live you longer are:

Whatever you do, don't retire!

Having a clearly defined ikigai brings satisfaction, happiness, and meaning to our lives. The purpose of this book is to help you find yours, and to share insights from Japanese philosophy on the lasting health of body, mind, and spirit.

One surprising thing you notice, living in Japan, is how active people remain after they retire. In fact, many Japanese people never really retire-they keep doing what they love for as long as their health allows.

For many, helping others might be an ikigai strong enough to keep them alive. They don't do exercises, but they do move every day, taking walks and working in their vegetable gardens.

The 80 percent secret

One of the most common sayings in Japan is "Hara hachi bu," which is repeated before or after eating and means something like "Fill your belly to 80 percent." Ancient wisdom advises against eating until we are full. This is why Okinawans stop eating when they feel their stomachs reach 80 percent of their capacity, rather than overeating and upsetting their bodies with long digestive processes.

Recent studies by nutritionists reveal that Okinawans consume a daily average of 1,800 to 1,900 calories. The Okinawan diet is rich in tofu, sweet potatoes, fish (three times per week), and vegetables (roughly 11 ounces per day).

Moai: Connected for life

It is customary in Okinawa to form close bonds within local communities. A moai is an informal group of people with common interests who look out for one another. For many, serving the community becomes part of their ikigai.

Members of a moai make a set monthly contribution to the group. This payment allows them to participate in meetings, dinners, games of go and shogi (Japanese chess), or whatever hobby they have in common.

Active mind, Youthful body

There is much wisdom in the classic saying "mens sana in corpore sano" ("a sound mind in a sound body"): It reminds us that both mind and body are important, and that the health of one is connected to that of the other. It has been shown that maintaining an active, adaptable mind is one of the key factors in staying young. Having a youthful mind also drives you toward a healthy lifestyle that will slow the aging process.

A little stress is good for you

While sustained, intense stress is a known enemy of longevity and both mental and physical health, low levels of stress have been shown to be beneficial.

After observing a group of test subjects for more than twenty years, Dr. Howard S. Friedman, a psychology professor says that a small dose of stress is a positive thing, as those who live with low levels of stress tend to develop healthier habits, smoke less, and drink less alcohol.

A lot of sitting will age you

Spending too much time seated at work or at home not only reduces muscular and respiratory fitness but also increases appetite and curbs the desire to participate in activities. Being sedentary can lead to hypertension, imbalanced eating, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and even certain kinds of cancer.

In a world that often seems chaotic and uncertain, the ikigai offers us a guiding light-a reminder to live with love, purpose, and intention. By infusing our relationships with a sense of meaning, cultivating meaningful connections, finding purpose in service, and nurturing self-love and self-compassion, we can create a life that is rich, fulfilling, and deeply meaningful. And by loving with ikigai, we can create a world that is filled with compassion, connection, and boundless joy.