I came across this TED talk by Dan Buettner, and found it too valuable not to share. It’s about how to live longer lives. He studied the lifestyles of particular areas around the world where the lifespan of people go well over 90, and deduced several similarities.
Summarized below, if you don’t have time to watch the video.
Move Naturally
(1) You don’t have to go to a gym every day or have a rigorous exercise plan. In fact, most of the people that he studied don’t exercise. Instead they have a fundamentally active lifestyle. They walk to the local store instead of driving. They bake cakes by hand, no machines. Walk around, do some gardening. People were designed to move. Do exercises/activities that you enjoy.
Have Right Outlook
(2) Slow down. When you’re constantly in a hurry and stressed out, this has a negative impact on your health. Limiting negative stress is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself.
(3) Have a clear purpose. The Japanese call it “ikigai” 生き甲斐 (lit: life + value, be worth while). You must have a passion, a calling, a purpose. There’s got to be a reason to get out of bed every day.
Eat Wisely
(4) Drink a little (wine) everyday.
(5) Eat mainly plant-based foods. Small amounts of meat and fish are OK.
(6) Hara Hachi Bu: Eat until 80% full. Do not eat eat until you’re stuffed. Japanese practice this by eating from small plates.
Be Connected with others
(7) Put family, loved ones first.
(8) Belong to a community. Many in his study belonged to faith-based communities.
(9) Belong to the right tribe. That is, hang out with people with healthy habits, physical and emotional ones. You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.
oh no.. most of the people i spend time around with are colleagues! im going to be a workaholic!
er the 5 most i hand out with all playing MW2. I guess we are modern, we like warfare and our fav number is 2 :P
MW2 is a healthy, hand-eye coordination boosting social past time. Yes.
haha and can get toto number, and hear some spoilt audio recorder :P