Japan is a country that is difficult to describe, but easy to feel. At the risk of sounding like the worst kind of millennial cliché; it’s an absolute vibe. It’s a land where trains run like clockwork, where everything you can ever imagine can be purchased from a vending machine, and where bathing naked with total strangers is a regular Saturday night out. Japan is wild.
It’s a place where the cities heave and crawl all day and night, barely stopping to take a breath. While a short distance away, the mountains sit quietly and patiently, echoing centuries of deep silence and rest. It’s a total oxymoron in the best kind of way. It’s as beautiful as it is chaotic and as serene as it is bustling. And in one short week, I totally fell head over heels in love with this crazy country.
It’s as beautiful as it is chaotic and as serene as it is bustling. And in one short week, I totally fell head over heels in love with this crazy country.
What’s most interesting of all, this small nation has one of the highest life expectancy rates of any country in the world and levels of health are among the highest on the planet. Despite being infamous for long hours of work and busy lifestyles, the Japanese seem to live longer, healthier lives than the rest of us. As Westerners, I think we can learn a thing or two from the Japanese about caring for ourselves and others; valuable lessons that I believe are part of the secret to living healthier, longer lives.
Take Time for Yourself
In Japan, taking care of yourself isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s a must. For hundreds of years the Japanese have been big on soaking in therapeutic hot springs. Often referred to as an ‘onsen’ these baths are believed to be the key to both physical and spiritual health. There’s something deeply therapeutic about stripping off, leaving your worries at the door and spending an hour or so doing nothing but soaking.
Traditionally, onsens were geothermal outdoor pools, however nowadays many indoor onsens have popped up in cities, complete with cafes, steam rooms, saunas and in-house massages clinics. It’s this commitment to caring for oneself that sets Japan apart from many of its western counterparts. Long before Gwyneth had a blog about wellness and spin classes were your reg, the Japanese believed in the power of wellness and one of their most cherished cultural practices stems from these beliefs.
Long before Gwyneth had a blog about wellness and spin classes were your reg, the Japanese believed in the power of wellness and one of their most cherished cultural practices stems from these beliefs.
Take Time to Reflect
Stemming from buddhist beliefs, the Japanese are big of the art of quiet contemplation. So big in fact that for thousands of years they have been creating beautiful gardens purpose-built for the practice. It’s hard to go anywhere in Japan without coming across a Japanese garden, complete with water features, tranquil sitting areas and symbolic natural structures. These gardens are often in public spaces and parks, providing a quiet place for locals to go to be alone with their thoughts.
It may sound wishy-washy and kind of strange, but in reality studies have shown that taking time to reflect and be mindful can help to decrease anxiety and increase happiness. This is something the Japanese have known for years and it seems that it’s not until recent years that science has finally caught up with the ancient practice of just sitting down and having some alone time with your thoughts.
Take Care of Others
I remember learning about cross-cultural communication at university, spending hours writing essays about a concept called the ‘collectivist culture’. Typically, Eastern countries operate on a value system called collectivism; a value system that prioritises groups over individuals and teaches citizens to be concerned over the needs of others more than the needs of themselves. Japan is most definitely a collectivist culture. Everywhere you go there are signs reminding you to be respectful, take care to not disturb others and be cautious of how your actions may impact others. For the Japanese, it can be as simple as speaking in quiet voices in public spaces or allowing people ample space to exit trains.
The Japanese truly care about caring for others and respecting their neighbour as themselves, which I love.
Living in a huge Western metropolis like London, these collectivist actions stand out as so foreign and beautiful, a world away from the often selfish culture that I witness daily. The Japanese truly care about caring for others and respecting their neighbour as themselves, which I love. For them, it’s not enough to simply take care of yourself, but part of the package is also doing your best to take care of others. So simple, yet in our fast paced Western world we often forget that basic acts of kindness and generosity can go a long way to helping those around us live happier, healthier lives.