What Is The Key To The Japanese Staying Young?

The Japanese people are notorious for living long, and most importantly, very healthy lives. There is an island called Okinawa in Japan, known for its large population of healthy centenarians. The American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine considers these ‘Blue Zones’ an example of lifestyle determining lifespan and healthspan. 

What is the key to the Japanese long and healthy lives? Read on as we discover the secret to Japanese longevity and how to bring these longevity lifestyle habits into your daily rituals.

A comprehensive Japanese anti-aging lifestyle practice often includes:

• Balanced diet rich in antioxidants (green tea, fish, fibre) 
• Meal portion control. Hara hachi bu is the theory that we stop eating when 80% full. 
• Multi-step, gentle skincare routine. They use double cleansing and facial massage to stimulate collagen and circulation.
• Prioritising quality sleep every night.
• Hot baths for the skin and nervous system

How Do the Japanese View Ageing?

Essential to this approach is a focus on prevention and nurturing self-care, including using a gentle approach to everything. The Japanese are careful with skincare products that work gently without friction. They also embrace practices like heat for relaxation and soul rejuvenation.

Some of the key takeaways for the Japanese view on ageing are:

Simplicity

Their approach to life is to live simply, yet with meaning. Their morning routines are not crowded with a million have-tos, but set to improve both mental and physical health. They have great hygiene and a skincare routine that leans toward natural products. Meals are nourishing yet simple and easy to prepare. 

Mindfulness

Every meal, social interaction and exercise regimen is conducted with mindfulness. This helps to increase body awareness and bring stress levels down. The concept of Ikigai refers to the things that make life feel worthwhile and give a sense of purpose.

Minimalism

This way of life is rooted in Zen Buddhism and traditional culture that emphasises the mindful appreciation of imperfection and transience. It differs from Western minimalism by not just focusing on decluttering, but also embracing:

• Nature is a great balancer
• Space between things (ma)
• Potential of emptiness (ku), creating a calm, harmonious, and intentional lifestyle. 

The Best Longevity Habits 

Diet and Hydration

Consume antioxidants from sources like green tea, fish, and vegetables. Embrace the principle of hara hachi bu, eating until 80% satisfied, to aid digestion and prevent overeating, which can contribute to age-related disorders. 

Mindfulness and Rest

Integrate mindfulness practices such as forest bathing and meditation to cultivate mental tranquillity. Prioritise quality sleep to allow the body and skin to rejuvenate optimally. 

Bathing Rituals

Incorporate relaxing baths or visits to hot springs (onsen) to promote detoxification and nourishment for the skin and soul. Would you like to know more about deliberate heat exposure and the health benefits? Head to our Sauna blog here. 

Social Connections

Foster strong social ties and a sense of community, which are linked to longevity and mental health. 

What Are The Most Powerful Anti-Ageing Ingredients?

Ingredient	Found In	Best For	Supplement With
Green Tea	Tea or powder	Skin & gut health, immunity, calming energy, metabolism support.	Organic loose-leaf tea, or matcha powder.
Resveratrol	Grape skin, blueberries, cranberries and pistachio.	Anti-ageing, cell protection, blood pressure & brain function.	LIV powder
Omega-3s	Oily fish, flaxseeds, walnuts and chia seeds.	Heart, brain, skin, eye and hormonal health.	Fish oil
Vitamin C	Citrus fruit, broccoli, berries, kiwifruit, tomatoes & melon.	Immunity, skin health, connective tissue, stress support.	CGN+ powder
Collagen	Bone broth, gelatin, chicken skin and meat, fish skin and meat, and egg whites.	Satiety, skin & joint support, ligament health & reducing inflammation.	CGN+ powder

What Do Japanese Anti-ageing Habits Have To Teach Us?

We can learn from the Japanese approach to anti-aging that it is a holistic combination of diet, lifestyle, and mindful skincare, rather than a single magic bullet. Embracing a positive mindset toward aging and prioritising rest and movement are also vital for overall well-being and graceful ageing. 

This aligns perfectly with The Age Hack ethos, from which the Premier Anti-ageing Products were born.