Ikigai

What is ikigai?

Our ikigai is hidden deep inside each of us, and finding it requires a patient search. According to those born on Okinawa, the island with the most centenarians in the world, our ikigai is the reason we get up in the morning.

The 10 Rules of Ikigai

1- Stay active

2- take it slow

3- don’t fill your stomach

4- surround yourself with good friends

5- get in shape for your next birthday

6- smile

reconnect-7

8- give thanks

9- live in the moment

10- follow your ikigai

Flow

“Our ability to turn routine tasks into moments of microflow, into something we enjoy, is key to our being happy, since we all have to do such tasks, Artists, for example, who carry the torch of their ikigai instead of retiring, have this power. Art, in all its forms, is an ikigai that can bring happiness and purpose to our days. Enjoying or creating beauty is free, and something all human beings have access to.”

Slow living

“Being in a hurry is inversely proportional to quality of life. As the old saying goes, ‘Walk slowly and you’ll go far.’ When we leave urgency behind, life and time take on new meaning.”

secrets of the centenarians& supercentenarians

“Over the course of a week we conducted a total of one hundred interviews, asking the eldest members of the community about their life philosophy, their ikigai, and the secrets to longevity:

1. don’t worry

2. cultivate good habits

3. nurture your friendship every day

4. live an unhurried life

5. be optimistic

“Eat and sleep, and you’ll live a long time. You have to learn to relax.” — Misao Okawa (117 years old)

“Everything’s fine.” — Jeanne Calment (122)

“Your mind and your body. You keep both busy, you’ll be here a long time.” — Walter Breuning (114)

“I just haven’t died yet.” — Alexander Imich (111)

longevity diet

“They eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. At least seven types of fruits and vegetables are consumed by Okinawans on a daily basis. The easiest way to check if there is enough variety on your table is to make sure you’re ‘eating the rainbow.’ A table featuring red peppers, carrots, spinach, cauliflower, and eggplant, for example, offers great color and variety. Vegetables, potatoes, legumes, and soy products such as tofu are the staples of an Okinawan’s diet. More than 30 percent of their daily calories comes from vegetables.”