Why DO the Japanese have the longest lifespan? Part 2: Live the LifestyleWritten by Peter McGarry
Why do Japanese have longest lifespan? Last month you learned to eat things Japanese people eat, and now you will learn how to live like they live. Fast, long, and lively best describes a usual day in Japan. The country is geared towards an active lifestyle, as ‘couch potato’ concept is completely foreign. This lively lifestyle centers around three key aspects: work, socializing and recreation.The workday begins early due to commute by train that most people endure. This can range from 20 minutes to over two hours with majority of people standing, as there are not enough seats. Walking is focal point in daily exercise regime. On average, people walk one to two kilometers to train station in morning. After arriving at closest station to their office, people typically walk another one to two kilometers to their place of business. At end of their long day, workers go through same routine. All in all, average Japanese individual will walk between three to five kilometers per day. Interestingly enough, these walks generally occur immediately or soon after meals, which helps with digestive process. Socializing is also different than that for western culture. As homes and apartments in Japan are considerably smaller, people opt to entertain outside of their home. This is one of primary reasons clubs; hobbies and leisure activities play such an important role in culture. In fact it is very uncommon to have dinner parties or get-togethers in Japanese homes. A popular alternative is to meet at public establishments for events and parties.
| | Top Ten Habits That Help You Manage Your StressWritten by Linda Dessau
Today we have more stress in our lives than ever before – good stress, bad stress, red stress, blue stress (my little ode to Dr. Seuss). No matter what kind of stress it is, a real crisis or an imagined one, stress is incredibly harmful to our body, mind and soul.Here are my favourite self-care habits for dealing with stress: 1. Get in habit of noticing. Take an inventory of all things that just don't feel right in your life or that you know are causing you stress. For example, when you approach certain people, places or situations do you feel more stress and tension? Once you have your list in place, look at what you can change yourself, and do it. You can also use this list to predict stressful situations before they occur. 2. Get in habit of asking for help. For what you can't change yourself, you need a team. Build a team of experts to handle your list. A coach, at top of list, will help with big picture and will keep you honest about your efforts. Other team members might be a family doctor who listens to you, a financial planner, a massage therapist and an exercise partner. 3. Get in habit of bouncing back. Think of Plan A as your basic self-care plan while stress is under control. Now imagine something happens and you are under stress. Instead of abandoning all self-care because you can't do it all, have a Plan B ready beforehand. 4. Get in habit of relaxing. If you practice relaxation techniques (breathing, meditation, imagery, music) every day, then when stressful situations come up you'll have tools at your fingertips.
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