by Why Japanese people have a long live?
Hari om all of you. Today’s theme is about the secret of long live. Before we start, do you have any idea that how old is the average length of life in your country? My country, Japan, is about 84 years old. How about your country?
Perhaps some of you may know that Japan is one of the famous countries for long live in the world. So today, I would like to share some small secrets about it based on my culture and experience.
There are 7 points as follows;
1.The Secrets of Green tea —
Green tea is well known and being enjoyed by many people in the world. It has so much benefits to drink…such as a good prevention of cold and flu, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, etc… and good for digestion, anti-aging, acne, increase stamina and boost, relieve depression and anxiety and so on. Japanese people they often drink it both hot and cold…let’s say they drink more than water.And did you know some Japanese people even cook the used green tea leaves? For example, they mix them into steamed Japanese rice, add some salt and seaweed then eat. Or, they dry the used leaves first, and mix with cakes or cookies then bake. The taste change to be mild than as it is but we can still enjoy the aroma and the color. If you are interested in, don’t waste then. Just try one more time to enjoy.
Unlike other teas,and as a result of being air -dried without fermentation,it retains its active elements even after being dried and crumbled .It offeres meaningful health benefits such as:
●Controlling cholesterol
●Lowering blood sugar levels
●Improving circulation
●Protection against the flu
(vitamin C )
●Promoting bone health (fluoride)
●Protection against certain bacterial infections.
●Protection against UV damage
●Cleansing and diuretic effects
2, Seasonal fruits and vegetables —
There are 4 seasons in Japan…Spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each season is so beautiful and we really enjoy and appreciate the wonderfulness of the nature. We also believe that each season has some specific fruits and vegetables and they have so much nutrition. For example,
●Spring; cabbage, asparagus, onion, strawberry, orange etc…
Good for excretion to waste matter from our body during winter time we kept with us. And improve metabolism as well.
●Summer; aubergine, cucumber, tomato, watermelon, melon, peach etc…
Good for hydrating our bodies and get nutrition as well. Help to reduce high body temperature due to hot climate.
●Autumn; carrot, lotus root, burdock, spinach, sweet potato, grape, pear etc…
Good for recovering our internal organs and digestion system that we weaken due to summer season. So much nutrition of vitamin A,C, B-carotene etc… Once we get a lot of good nutrition, we can prepare for cold climate.
●Winter; Chinese cabbage, radish, leek, orange, apple etc…
Make our body warm, so much nutrition of Vitamin C and E. Help to boost our immunity system.
3, Hara hachi bu —
We have a good culture that try not to eat until we completely feel full…let’s say that when we feel full around 80%, try not to eat anymore. The Japanese word “Hara” means stomach, “hachibu” means 80%. When you notice you’re almost full but could have a little more…just stop eating!
One easy way to start applying the concept of Hara hachi bu is to skip dessert.or to reduce portion size.The idea is to still be a little bit hungry when you finish.
Hara hachi bu is an ancient practice. The twelfth-century book on Zen Buddhism Zazen Youjinki recommends eating two-thirds as much as you might want to.Eating less than one might want is common among all Buddhist temples in the east.
4.Sit in Vajrasna(It’s Called Diamond pose ) Enjoy Our food
This modern culture, our life style has also changed and we often sit on a chair and eat. Besides, some people or traditional Japanese food restaurant, we still sit on the floor(with cushion) and enjoy eating as same as ancient period. My grandparents also used sit on the floor with Vajrasana(It’s called Diamond pose in yoga class, sit on your heels) whenever they had their meal. This pose helps our digestion system so I think this would also good Japanese culture to maintain our health .(However, it’s quite hard for me to sit on the floor and eat for a long time…my legs and feet get numb all the time…)
5.Sanpin-cha : The reigning infusion in Okinawa Japan
Okinawans drink more Sanpin-cha : a mix of green tea and jasmine flowers than any other kind of tea.
Sanpin-cha can be found in many different forms in Okinawa,and is even available in vending machines. In addition to all the antioxidants benefits of green tea ,it boasts the benefits of jasmine,which include:
●Reducing the risk of heart attack
●Strengthening the immune systems
●Helping relieve stress
●Lowering cholesterol
6.The powerful Shikuwasa —
Shikuwasa is the fruit par excellence of okinawa and Ogimi is its largest producer in all of Japan.
The fruit is extremely acidic:It is impossible to drink Shikuwasa juice without diluting it first with water.Its taste is somewhere between that of a lime and a mandarin orange,to which it bears a family resemblance.
Shikuwasa also contain high levels of nobiletin, a flavonoid rich in antioxidants.
All citrus fruits : grapefruit,orange,lemons- are high in nobiletin, but Okinawa’s Shikuwasa have forty times as much as oranges. Consuming nobiletin has been proven to protect us from arteriosclerosis,cancer ,type 2diabetes, and obesity in general.
Shikuwasa also contain vitamins C and B , beta carotene,and minerals.They are used in many traditional dishes and to ad flavour to food,and are squeezed to make juice.While conducting research at the birthday parties of the town’s “Grandparents ” we were served Shikuwasa cake.
7. Have some hobbies
My grandparents loved to do gardening and farming. That was their daily routine to take care of them with a lot of love and passion. They said that it was also kind of exercise for them. When they harvested some vegetables and fruits, they always gave to their grandchildren or neighborhood. I think this was also something meaningful to live for them. In my opinion, it’s good to have some hobbies, no matter how big or small. Nothing is too late. My grandparents also got started gardening and farming after their retirement. It will give you some opportunities to grow up your body, mind and soul. Keep finding something new and trying in your life will make yourself shine.
Join our upcoming yoga teacher Training Course & Yoga Retreat Program in Rishikesh,Goa india
https://himalayanyogistic.com/retreat/
This is what I personally felt and thought when I lived with my grandparents. Of course they really had a long life and I appreciate everything of them. I hope this small secrets will help your life healthier and happier. If you have some secrets of long life in your country, kindly share with us at anytime.
Writer ÷Yogini Meera from Japan Himalayan Yogistic
Hari om 🙏❤🧘♂️🧘♀️❤🙏
