Have you heard of the blue zones of the planet? They are those longevity paradises where the highest life expectancy rates are recorded.
According to BBC News Mundo, based on a United Nations World Population Prospects report, after Monaco, Hong Kong and Macau, Japan is the country more ancient among the world powers. Followed by Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Singapore, Italy, South Korea and Spain.
The article points out that what these countries have in common is that they are small and have a high level of income.
But, in the case of Japan, an ancient philosophy is added that provides wise concepts when making individual decisions. Because it’s not just about living many years, but about live them well.
The Hanasaki system for achieving a long and happy life
The Japanese word Hanasaki means “blooming flower,” explains Japanese cultural specialist Marcos Cartagena, one of the founders of the Discovering Japan website.
Cartagena published the book The Hanasaki system with the aim of spreading the nine Japanese guidelines to the West to achieve a long life with fullness and happiness. In this sense, the Japanese Cloud blog describes them so that we can work with them:
Full life. Meditation, silence and contemplation to regain well-being. Photo: Clarin.1) Kaizen. Awaken curiosity, acquire new knowledge and skills to activate growth, learning and evolution. It can be a sport, a musical instrument or some traditional art.
2) Minimalism. Focus on what’s important. Give more space to the emotional than the material. Value our well-being and friendships more than acquiring items that only take up space. Simplify our needs.
3) Inner peace. Keep your spirit serene and your mind clear; observe reality without being influenced. With balanced emotions you make better decisions. In Japan meditation, silence and contemplation are practiced.
4) Nature. Shinto believes that God lives in trees, mountains, rocks and rivers. Nature connects us with our origin. Shinrin yoku or “forest bathing” involves walking in a state of contemplation to reduce stress and blood pressure, improve the immune system, sleep and mood.
Healthy habits. Eat seasonal products, walk, take care of the sun. Photo: Shutterstock.5) Health. Our body is our most precious possession. A healthy lifestyle extends and improves life. You need to choose seasonal, organic and local products. And they eat up to 80% of our ability to work together with our organs. Walk, play sports, sleep well and protect yourself from the sun.
6) Healthy relationships. Sincere and lasting connections with family, friends and community are essential for emotional health. On the Japanese island of Okinawa, people form small associations (moai) and, depending on their interests, help each other when needed. Loneliness worsens the quality of life.
7) Principles. They are our judges when it comes to weighing right and wrong. They light the path and give authenticity, depth and meaning to our actions. The values are: honesty, respect, solidarity, humility, patience, loyalty, austerity, gratitude and harmony.
A fuller life. Enhance friendships, take care of loved ones, simplify needs. Photo: Clarin.8) Ikigai. The meaning of life. Have a reason to get up every morning, give your best and get satisfaction. People who find purpose live longer and better. It is the path to fullness.
9) Attitude. Finding the best way to deal with what happens to us. We must maintain emotional balance, be constant, have discipline and will, plan, know how to forgive and know how to make the best of it, even from adversity.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.