Introduction
Many people want to live long, be happy, and thrive. However, only a few achieve this goal, and the materials studied this week, Dan Buettner’s TED Talk on longevity and Mitsuhashi’s article on the concept of ikigai, reveal the reasons. Even though ideas and actions standing behind longevity are pretty simple to execute, at the current pace of life, only some people may follow them and become centenarians.
Discussion
People who have become centenarians usually share several common qualities. Notably, studies have found that genetics determines life expectancy by only 10%, and the rest depends on lifestyle (Buettner 00:04 – 00:20). Therefore, the key takeaways from the video are lifestyle features, which contribute to longevity. Individuals who have lived to the age of 100 and more have strong social ties – they put family first and belong to communities. They do not follow a particular diet but eat wisely, including many plants and avoiding overeating. Moreover, centenarians move a lot daily – these are not specific exercises but natural movements. Finally, having the right outlook and focusing on small joys and daily goals is essential.
In terms of outlook, the video is intertwined with readings, where the concept of ikigai has become the main takeaway. It is used in Japanese and does not have an exact English translation (Mitsuhashi). Ikigai means finding happiness and meaning in living and daily activities. The idea is not focused on the global purpose in life but on small joys. Ikigai motivates people to get up in the morning and can be present even when individuals do not feel happy. The idea unites human values, favored activities, and talents in itself. For example, favorite work, family care, volunteering, or hobbies can be ikigai.
Conclusion
Thus, this week’s materials reveal the lifestyle features of those people who are 100 years old and older. They share several characteristics in eating habits, everyday physical activity, and the level of social connections with family and community. An essential feature of every centenarian is also their worldview. They can find happiness in their regular activities, which motivates and supports them, reflected in the Japanese concept of ikigai.
Works Cited
Buettner, Dan. “How to Live to Be 100+.” TED, Web.
Mitsuhashi, Yukari. “Ikigai: A Japanese Concept to Improve Work and Life.” BBC, Web.