Life is fickle, ephemeral. It can disappear at any time; we know that. We also know that there are certain lifestyles that can help a person live longer. For instance, the Japanese people have the highest life expectancy in the world. They have the highest number of old people, with 28 percent of their population over 65 years old. The whole world is studying Japan, and trying to adopt their lifestyle. Here are a few takeaways from the people of Japan.
1. Healthcare
Japan delivers the best healthcare services in the world. This is one of the reasons why people born in Japan have the longest life expectancy of any country in the world. Japan has excellent hospitals and clinics, and because it is the world’s leading country in technology, offers highly technical, state-of-the-art equipment. Health care in Japan is, generally speaking, provided free for Japanese citizens, expatriates, and foreigners. Medical treatment in Japan is provided through universal health care. This system is available to all citizens, as well as non-Japanese citizens staying in Japan for more than a year. In an environment where top-notch healthcare services are provided free of charge, the likelihood of suffering depression due to the cost of medical bills is non-existent.
Therefore, to improve the quality of life for citizens, the Nigerian government has to provide healthcare services. This should not be an option but a right. In Nigeria we see too many avoidable deaths, as a result of healthcare nonchalance and the absence of hospital basics like oxygen, beds, and so on. We have a shortage of healthcare workers, due to the mass exodus to western countries. This is why we cant live as long as the Japanese. This is why we have so much maternal deaths. Where women can access health services, maternal deaths decrease, lengthening women’s life expectancy.
2. Balanced Diet
The traditional Japanese diet focuses on whole, minimally processed, nutrient-rich, seasonal foods. It’s particularly rich in seafood, vegetables, and fruit, and limits meat, dairy, and snacks. It may improve digestion, aid weight management, help you live longer, and protect against various diseases. Alongside their diet, the Japanese are big fans of green tea. Matcha, a stone-ground powdered green tea, is most valued for its high antioxidant compounds known as catechins, which have been linked to fighting cancer, viruses and heart disease.
A well-balanced diet provides important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to keep the body and mind strong and healthy. Eating well can also help ward off numerous diseases and health complications, as well as help maintain a healthy body weight, provide energy, allow better sleep, and improve brain function. It is a prerequisite to long life.
3. Physical Activity
In Japan, physical exercise is enjoyed at all ages. From childhood, children join sports and art clubs. These activities are continued throughout their school years. Likewise, Japanese people have the habit of staying active after retirement, be it through work or through other activities. For example, it is not unusual to see elderly people riding bicycles, practicing jogging or power walking. In a sedentary society where seniors represent almost a third of the population, physical exercise is more than indicated to stay healthy. The Japanese practice the same routine in order to start the day on the right foot through Rajio taiso (or radio taiso), a workout session that has been broadcast on the airwaves for almost a century. This soft gymnastics is accessible to everyone. The exercises are easy to perform and can be done anywhere using simply the body weight. Even people with reduced mobility can perform the movements while sitting.
4. Stay Socially Connected
Staying socially connected is built into Japanese culture, and it’s a reason why Japanese people enjoy better physical and emotional well being into old age. Wide-ranging research suggests that strong social ties are linked to a longer life. In contrast, loneliness and social isolation are linked to poorer health, depression, and increased risk of early death. Therefore, being socially connected is important for a person to live long. Stick to your family, friends, community, religious group, and people who will be with you and stand by you.
5. Maintain a Healthy Weight
The higher life expectancy of Japanese people is mainly due to fewer deaths from ischemic heart disease and cancers, particularly breast and prostate cancer. One of the determinants of this is the low rate of obesity. The people maintain a good weight due to their diet, exercise and way of life. When your weight is in a healthy range, your body more efficiently circulates blood. Your fluid levels are more easily managed. You are less likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and other health problems.
Again, life is fickle and unpredictable. But all of the aforementioned are important to stay healthy and stand the chance of living for as long as possible.
