Balance Jan Issue 2018 - 36

N AV I G AT I O N S L U G

IKIGAI

FIND
YOUR
BALANCE

STAND, WALK
Long, daily stretches of
walking and standing are
more likely to result in a
healthy life than an hour
in the gym, three times a
week. Some researchers
suggest this may be
because walking for long
periods improves insulin
sensitivity while others
point out that it's also less
likely to result in wear and
tear on the joints.

EAT TO 80%
A common saying in Japan
is 'hara hachi bu', which
means 'fill your belly to
80%' and there's some
interesting science to back
up the fact that a second
helping isn't always a good
idea. In 2008, St Louis
University researchers
found that limiting your
calories lowers the
production of the T3
hormone, which among
other things, speeds up
the ageing process.  

DEVELOP YOUR
FRIENDSHIPS
Loneliness has a number
of negative effects on
long-term health (it's
even been linked to an
increased risk of
cardiovascular disease).
But did you know that
those of us who have a
tight group of friends
have been shown to live
longer, healthier lives
compared to those who
have just their close knit
family to fall back on?
Maybe it's time to un-mute
those WhatsApp groups.

36

Patricia Boyle, a neuropsychologist at
For a second I
Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago,
think maybe I've
followed, for a period of seven years, a group
had it all along. Then, though, I remember
of 900 people who were deemed 'at risk' of
the Sunday morning rule. Give me a free
Sunday morning and I certainly wouldn't
developing dementia. At the end of that
spend it at my laptop. Is there anything that'll
time, she found those who had a high sense
cure you of a passion quicker than doing it
of purpose were 50% less likely to have
every single day, in order to draw a wage?
developed the disease than those who'd
Miralles points out that perhaps what's
expressed no particular passion or purpose.
lacking within my writing is the sense of
Another study into the health benefits of
helping others. 'Try different things - then
ikigai followed almost 3,000 participants
see what has a bigger impact on the people
across 13 years. 'A strong sense of purpose
around you,' he suggests.
was associated with a 72% lower rate of death
In the next week, I decide to volunteer
from stroke [and] a 44% lower rate of death
with older residents at a community day
from cardiovascular disease,' says Dr Adam
centre, take a photography class
Kaplin, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
LONG LIVED
(something I loved at school)
and Behavioural Sciences at Johns
and try a Japanese cookery
Hopkins Medicine, Maryland. While
Life expectancy
in Japan is higher
workshop (just because).  
the exact reasons are unexplained,
than any country
In their self-help tome The
Kaplin theorises that having a
in the world - four Element: How Finding Your
lifelong passion, which gives you
years more than
Passion Changes Everything
a sense of purpose, can regulate
the UK. Is ikigai
(£9.99,
Penguin), Ken Robinson
everything from the workings of your
the reason?
and Lou Aronica point out your
cardiovascular system to your immune
passion needs to be something you
system's inflammatory responses.
both find easy and are good at. As suspected,
From an evolutionary perspective it
this immediately rules out the cooking,
makes sense: for as long as you feel you're
at which I show myself to be particularly
needed to aid the community's survival,
inept. The photography is nice, but my mind
your body fights to keep you fit, sharp and
wanders off-topic. Chatting at the day centre
useful. As Nietzsche put it: 'He who has a
though, two hours pass by, I make new
why to live for can bear almost any how.'
friends, I feel at ease, engaged and useful.
Still, I quickly realise that as much as I
This, I think, is possibly as close as I'll come
love it, if my ikigai is getting drunk three
to my ikigai in a week.
nights a week, I may as well kiss those
Like all western adaptations of foreign
purported health benefits goodbye.
philosophies, it's tricky to get right. It is a
concept so deeply rooted in Japanese culture
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS
that for me to understand it would take a
Miralles points out that your purpose isn't
lifetime (or at the very least six months and
necessarily linked to happiness though.
some intensive soul searching).
'People who have a defined passion - and
Still, I enjoy the volunteering so much I
therefore a strong purpose to continue that
go back a week later. On the second visit, I
passion - have been shown to be happier,' he
meet 'Elsie'. She's lived in Hackney all her
says. 'Their passion doesn't necessarily have
life. 'Listen,' she tells me when I explain
to make them feel constantly happy, just
why I'm there. 'You're not meant to have all
engaged and curious.'
the answers; do your best, work hard, find
He suggests listing activities that fit into
something that makes you smile and do that
the ikigai Venn diagram on page 35. For me,
as often as you can.' She pats me reassuringly
these include (rather lamely) 'talking to new
on the arm. 'Trust me, I'm 93.' B
people', 'being creative' and 'writing'.

BA LA N CE January 2018

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK

WAYS TO
INCREASE
YOUR CHANCE
OF A LONG,
HAPPY LIFE

Combine something you
love with something
you're good at to achieve
the benefits of ikigai



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Balance Jan Issue 2018

Balance Jan Issue 2018 - 1
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