Japanese Lifestyle

Japan is one of the world’s most developed countries, with a remarkable economy. Japanese workers work 80 hours of overtime per month, and after long hours of work, they participate in after-work activities such as eating, drinking, and playing games, among others.

Japanese people never really retire; they keep doing what they love. The reason for their long life is attributed to their diet, exercise, and finding their purpose in life. They reduce their stress levels by consuming less meat and waking up at 5 am. They do not engage in strenuous exercise, but they do move every day by taking walks or gardening in lush green gardens. Walking instead of driving is common because sitting habits can lead to obesity or hypertension. Spending too much time seated at work may also reduce muscular or respiratory fitness. They fill their stomachs to 80% capacity, stopping when they feel they are getting full. The presentation of dishes is also unique, as they are served on many small plates. In restaurants, they serve dishes in five plates, four small and one big dish. The reason behind this is that five dishes make you happy, and you think you’re going to eat a lot. No leftover is their basic etiquette.

Mental health is just as important as physical health. For mental health, the brain needs exercise to overcome stress. Japanese people observe the cause of stress and then try to distance themselves from it. For mental peace, they connect with nature, do yoga, and take a hot bath at night. Japanese people are also working to bring nature and technology together. In their animated films, we see nature, humans, and technology in a conflict or relationship.

Incorporating some of these habits into our daily routines can help us achieve a balanced life. Seven to eight hours of sleep is enough. Replace junk food with fruits. Playing with children and participating in sports stimulate our minds. Work in a peaceful, silent environment to improve concentration at work. Use less time on screens, especially before sleep. Avoid spending time on things we don’t enjoy.

Here are some Japanese concepts for a balanced life:

Omoiyar

Omoiyari means caring, feeling empathy, and showing sincere consideration for others.

Ikigai

Ikigai means to have a purpose of living a long and happy life

Mottainai

Mottainai translates to “what a waste!”. It means respecting the resources we have, not wasting them, and using them with a sense of gratitude.

Shu ha ri

It is a way of thinking about how to learn and master a technique. There are 3 stages:

Shu: First learn the basics.
Ha: Start experimenting.
Ri: This stage focuses on innovation and adapting the learning to different situations.

Kaizen

Kaizen is a Japanese business philosophy meaning good change and continuous improvement.

Mono no aware

This concept describes having empathy towards things and their inevitable passing. It reminds us that nothing in life is permanent.