If you want to live longer, take some advice from the Japanese. They are world leaders in longevity and healthy living. Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara was one of the doctors who built the foundations of Japanese medicine and lived to be 105. Read on to find out what he recommends you should do for a long and healthy life.
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Here are 5 tips for a healthy life provided by this famous doctor:
1. Have fun!
His first rule for a healthy life is to simply have fun. We forgot that when we were kids, we used to have so much fun we totally would forget about sleep or food. The doctor believed fun can distract you from pain. The energy comes from feeling good, not from filling your belly. “It’s best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime”, he declared in an interview with Japan Times some years back.
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2. Never retire!
Well, the doctor who worked until a few months before his death said there’s no need to ever retire and that if we must, we should do it later than 65. The average life expectancy is not the same as a century ago so we should think about retirement later in life. Also, we should always give back, make a contribution to society, it will bring meaning to your life.
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3. Watch your weight!
Doctor Hinohara ate meat only twice a week and skipped lunch every so often. “For breakfast, I drink coffee, a glass of milk and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy. Lunch is milk and a few cookies, or nothing when I am too busy to eat. I never get hungry because I focus on my work. Dinner is veggies, a bit of fish and rice, and, twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat.”
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4. Take the stairs!
The Japanese doctor took two at a time to keep his muscles moving. We should always take the stairs and carry our own stuff.
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5. Forget about material things!
Don’t worry about material things, you can’t take them with you. You have no idea when your number is up, said the physician.
Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara also pointed out how important it is to plan ahead, to share what you know and to find a role model in life while trying to outgrow them, obviously. Share this advice with your friends and family!
