My Key Takeaways

IKIGAI - The Japanese secrete to a Long and Happy Life

10 Rules of Ikigai to Help You Live a Long and Happy Life

1. Take is Slow: Being in a hurry is inversely proportional to quality of life. Just take it easy on yourself. As the old saying goes: “Walk slowly and you’ll go far.” When we leave urgency behind, life and time take on new meaning. Don’t try to figure everything out, sleep on the questions you still have no answers to. 

2. Surround yourself with good friends. Friends are the best medicine. Recognize your “level one” friends and give them the attention you deserve. They are there for confiding worries over a good chat, sharing stories that brighten your day, getting advice, having fun, dreaming… and in other words, living. Also, ensure to hug your loved ones regularly.

3. Stay active; don’t retire. Those who give up on the things they love doing and do well lose their purpose in life. That’s why it is important to keep doing things of value, making progress, bringing beauty or utility to others, helping out, and shaping the world around you, even after your “official” professional activity has ended.

4. Get in shape for your next birthday. Water moves; it is at its best when it flows fresh and doesn’t stagnate. The body you move through life in needs a bit of daily maintenance to keep it running for a long time. Plus, exercises releases hormones that make us feel better. 

5. Smile: A cheerful attitude is not only relaxing – it also helps make friends. It’s good to recognize the things that aren’t so great, but we should never forget what a privilege it is to be in the here and now in a world so full of possibilities. 

6. Reconnect with nature. Though most people live in cities these days, human beings are made to be part of the natural world. We should return to it often to recharge our batteries. 

7. Give thanks. To your ancestors, to nature which provides you with the air you breathe and the food you eat, to your friends and family, to everything that brightens your days and makes you feel lucky to be alive. Spend a moment everyday giving thanks, and you will watch your stockpile of happiness grow. 

8. Live in the moment. Stop regretting the past and fearing the future. Today is all you have. Make the most of it. Make it worth remembering. 

9. Don’t fill your stomach. Less is more when it comes to eating for long life. According to the 80 percent rules, in order to stay healthier longer, we should eat a little less than our hunger demands instead of stuffing ourselves. 

10. Follow you ikigai. There is a passion inside you, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and drives you to share the best of yourself until the very end. If you don’t know what your ikigai is yet, as Victor Frankl says, your mission is to discover it.