Friday marked the 116th birthday of Jiroemon Kimura of Okinawa Japan, the oldest man in the world. Some of the longest living and healthiest people are from the islands of Okinawa. This chain of islands located southwest of Japan has the largest population of people over one hundred years old. Okinawa centurions follow a lifestyle that consists of nutritious meals, exercise and low stress levels. The secret to living a long and healthy life is revealed in the nutrition habits of Okinawa. You too can be on the path to a long and healthy life by following these steps:
Eat Fewer Calories/80 Percent Full::
Cutting down the calories helps centenarians in Okinawa manage to keep a lean physique. Taking in fewer calories than burned throughout the day helps to maintain a stable weight. Fluctuations in weight such as in yo-yo dieting can increase the risk of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Okinawans have a mantra, "hara hachi bu", which translates into "eat until you're 80 percent full".
Daily Exercise:
Okinawan elders stay physically active through gardening, tai chi and walking. These activities give them a sense of community while giving them more energy. Daily exercise usually takes place during the evening to relieve the day's tension and get the body ready for rest.
No Meat:
Antioxidant-rich proteins like soy make up a majority of the Okinawan diet. Protein and omega-3 fatty acids are obtained from seafood which helps to prevent heart disease, depression and Alzheimer's disease. The risk of chronic disease is minimized with the consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Go to Sleep Early:
Studies show that lack of sleep can lead to reduced brain function, depression and overeating. Okinawans go to bed earlier and a 2002 study led researchers to suggest that staying up late and getting up early is a danger to one's mental and physical well being.
Don't Worry, Be Happy:
Some stress is good for the brain and setbacks and challenges are inevitable. Okinawans are resilient to adversity and known to be adaptable. Challenges and setbacks can keep you cognitively aware and mentally strong. They exercise your mind. But when you encounter a setback, resilience is your most important friend. If you do suffer a defeat, focus less on what caused you to stumble and ask yourself what you can learn from the experience. Then use that knowledge to try again," Director of the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Georgia in Athens, Leonard W. Poon said.
