Is there a secret to staying young forever? It would make sense if we take advice from people who are experts in the field. After all, they can prove their theory with concrete results.
So far, the people who live in Okinawa are said to be the healthiest people in the world. How do we come up with such data? Well for starters, it is in Okinawa where we can see the most number of people who have reached the age of 100 and above. Americans are three times less likely to achieve this age their population. Incidence of heart diseases is also relatively lower in Okinawa as compared to the U.S. Cases of breast and prostate cancer, colon and ovarian cancer; hip fractures are very minimal too.
What can be the secret of health and longer lives of the Okinawans? It’s just too simple and easy to follow.
Secret #1 is to learn how to maintain a positive outlook on life. Okinawans worry less since they have the belief that if they just leave things as they are everything in life will just turn out well. They prefer to stay calm and live with little stress. When they are at work, they use a steady space and avoid putting too much pressure on themselves. It is believed that this lifestyle makes them healthy and live longer.
Secret #2 is cultivating a strong relationship with people. A favorite activity of Okinawans is going out with their family and friends, to chat, laugh or just offer support. Studies have shown that people are healthier when they live an active social life. They actually have lower risk of getting sick.
Secret #3 is a healthy diet. The traditional diet of Okinawans is both simple and wholesome. Their diet is usually composed of fish that is rich in protein and omega-3 oils, also plant foods that are high in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. One thing that is also noticeable in their diet is that they eat a diet with fewer calories, around 500-1000 calories less per day than what an average American or people from other countries take in. This low calorie and healthy diet helps in reducing the risk of health problems that makes a person overweight and makes them live longer lives.
Secret # 4 is exercise. Most of the Okinawans exercise. They either do this by walking or working in their gardens at home or by doing tai chi, a traditional martial art.
Secret # 5 is stopping the bad habits. There are only a few older generation Okinawans who have the have the bad habit of smoking and drinking alcohol.
It is however sad to note that there is no healthy and longer future for the next generation of Okinawans. The younger generations have been influenced badly by eating a more commercial diet and even engaging in cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking. It has also been noted that the younger generation have become more obese.
It would have made better sense for the younger generation to follow the example laid out by their elders. To simply put it, if the younger generation had an optimistic outlook on life, good interpersonal relationships, ate a wholesome and light diet, exercise regularly, worked in a relaxed paced and avoided the habits of smoking and drinking, they too would also live a happy, healthy and longer life.
