You may have heard the phrase, “keep it simple-stupid”. A useful thing to consider when trying to solve a problem is go back to basics. So, when it comes to the subject of ageing, or getting older (call it what you like) there are so many pundits with so much to say. There’s a truckload of products which promise to do this and that with the promise of “keeping you young”. The truth is, all of us will be or are young only once and being young is a purely relative notion. The Japanese have proven to be one of the oldest nations on earth with the average age reaching into the 90s. There are a few “simple-stupid” things the Japanese do to live better and age well:
Stay sanitary
You may have heard about how clean and well-organised Japan is. There’s even rumour about Japanese sports fans cleaning the litter up at the stadium after a big game. Whatever the case, Japanese are most certainly concerned with cleanliness and orderliness. One simply needs to visit the country to know this. Littering and the dirtying or vandalism of public areas is considered a serious insult in Japanese culture. People from all walks of life in Japan do their part to keep things clean including public servants who clean public areas like train stations and restrooms. Shop owners will also take it upon themselves to sweep the sidewalks in front of their shops. Cleanliness is almost a national pastime and part of Japanese pride and you’ll see people of all ages doing their bit.
The rationale behind these rituals is simple: cleanliness keeps germs away. People are also respectful of other around them and will wear a facemask in public if they are sick.
Staying active in old age
As mentioned before, keeping active is a way of life for the Japanese which is ingrained from a young age, and doesn’t stop when one gets older. Japanese seniors take keeping active seriously, It’s a way of life and the elderly embrace it! Many elderly Japanese engage in low-impact sports that engage body and mind. They also like to work hard, it’s a Japanese virtue, and many sexagenarians will continue working or even volunteering for as long as they can. One of the important things is their mindset- they have a can-do-will-do attitude and don’t let the Western society’s ideas about getting older hold them back!