At what point will technology start to lengthen life expectancy faster than we live?
Will we learn enough about the human body to become immortal?
I have been studying places that people live a long time and also getting whatever information I can about those people who have lived to a hundred years or more.
Some of what I found really surprised me and made take a hard look at how I live my life.
I once believed that living to be 100 or more sounded like a nightmare of pain and worthlessness.
However, after learning about a few communities where people live exceptionally long lives, I feel the complete opposite about it.
The best book I have found on this topic is called “Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles.
The authors discuss much about what the daily activities look like for people in Okinawa, Japan where the highest concentration of people living over 100 years old are.
Ultimately, there and in other parts of the world where longer life is the norm, they found common consistencies.
I’m going to list the 10 main ones here:
- Stay Active
This seems so simple, but it is very deep into what we crave as humans.
Men die quickly after retirement.
It is statistically proven and the reason is because we lose purpose and reason for living.
People who move around every day and keep doing what they love while still seeking to achieve goals, will live longer and obviously feel better.
2. Take it Slow
This is one I really need to wrap my head around.
I feel that I am constantly in a state of urgency.
Being in a hurry all the time causes our bodies to be in a constant fight or flight response mode which ages and wears down the body.
It also makes it harder to enjoy the moments of life as they come to us.
3. Don’t fill your stomach
Eating fewer calories than we burn is associated with longer life.
The Okinawans say to only eat until you are 80% full.
I don’t know how to really gauge that except to not eat myself sickening full every meal.
Fasting also improves health as the body is required to fix up and remove damaged cells in the body.
4. Surround yourself with good friends
I probably don’t need to explain this one.
This is just a happy and good time and the support of others helps us in hard times.
5. Get in shape
This one should also be obvious.
It is hard to do too much if cannot move around well.
A little bit of exercise goes a very long way.
Also, exercise releases endorphins which alleviate pain and just make us feel better.
6. Smile
Smiling actually makes you feel better.
Try it.
Also, smiling at people will get you more friends.
7. Reconnect with nature
This is one I have always believed in for optimal mental health.
I always feel much better after being in the mountains or forest.
City life takes a toll on the body and mind.
8. Give Thanks
I’m not sure why this one is number 8 because it is possibly the most important one of all.
Gratitude will change the way you see everything in life.
Give thanks for the air, water, food, sun and everything in your life.
Also, realize that everything serves a purpose.
Most people see everything as good or bad.
The truth is that everything is good and bad in perfect balance.
Everything we see as good has a negative side and vice versa.
It is an illusion to see only the one side.
When we see the world as balanced this way, the only thing left is gratitude.
The more grateful you are, the happier you will be.
9. Live in the moment
This advice is what I hear more than anything from people trying to tell us how to live.
Regretting the past and worrying about the future do nothing for us in the present moment.
The only moment I can act or be is right now.
The past only has control over today that I give to it and the future is only changed by what I do right now.
Meditation helps me with this.
I used the Calm app to get started in meditating.
10. Follow your Ikigai
This one requires defining what that word is.
The best way to describe it is purpose.
I feel that it ties back to #1, but also it is a little different.
Perhaps what we do for work is not what we love to do.
I would challenge you to find a way to do what you love and make a living that way.
However, I love to do certain activities that I have not figured out how to monetize.
I really enjoy teaching, writing, fishing, and riding my motorcycle.
Whatever you love, do that every day if you can.
Even if you are the only one that sees the benefit of it.
Continue to do it.
It will ensure not only a happy life, but a long one.
Thank you for reading.
Phillip Adams
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