If we think about a disciplined, organized culture with a strong sense of well-being, Japan certainly comes to mind. Certainly, this nation is well-known for promoting habits for a better life.
The millennial customs of the Japanese translate into a higher quality of life: according to the World Bank, Japan ranks high among countries with the longest life expectancy. Furthermore, it is one of the nations with the lowest crime rates and a high level of education. Therefore, if you want to achieve greater well-being, we recommend 7 Japanese habits that you can apply to your daily life.
1. Be a grateful person
Gratitude is a deeply rooted value in Japanese culture. Expressions of respect and acknowledgment towards others for any help or consideration received are common, using phrases like “arigatou” or a bow of the head. Gift-giving is also a common way to express gratitude. If you want to thank someone and don’t know how, you can consider giving them an item that holds meaning for that person and surprise them.
2. Get rid of what you don’t need
Look around you and ask yourself: do you really need everything you see? Often, we tend to keep objects that remind us of moments and situations in our lives, or we believe we will use them later. However, the Japanese believe that it is best to clear environments and leave only the essentials to attract mental peace.
This advice can be applied to countless places: the desk where we work, the wardrobe in our room, the refrigerator, or the car. If you’re interested in this topic, you can watch television programs by Marie Kondo, a Japanese woman who revolutionized the world of organization and decoration with her theories on minimalism.
3. Remove your shoes before entering the house
One of the habits most associated with the Japanese is taking off their shoes before entering the house. This custom is not exclusive; it is also adopted by countries like Canada or Nordic nations (if you’re interested in the topic, you can see this curious map showing which countries follow this tradition).
By removing our shoes, we prevent a lot of dirt and bacteria from the street from entering our home. In fact, a 2008 study found an average of 421,000 bacteria on the outside of the analyzed shoes.
4. Follow a Japanese diet
When it comes to eating habits, the Japanese win international awards: their diet is recognized as one of the most nutritious and balanced in the world. Traditional Japanese food is based on a wide variety of fresh foods that provide abundant essential nutrients and the right amount of carbohydrates.
Science supports this perception we have in the West: a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition associates Japanese diets with lower rates of heart disease and obesity.
5. Take a hot bath before bed
Japanese people are known for taking a bath before going to bed to release the stress of the day, relax muscles, and have a more pleasant sleep. While many people do this at home, public baths, known as sentō and onsen, are also very common, featuring hot springs with beneficial properties for the skin.
Locating such establishments in the Western world can be challenging. Nevertheless, you can always indulge in a soothing bath with salts and foam before bedtime.
6. Have a forest bath
Is there a forest near the city where you live? Then, you too can do shinrin-yoku, an age-old habit that can be translated as “forest bath.” Although the term may be misleading, it does not mean bathing in the forest but immersing oneself in a forest environment and taking a walk, trying to sharpen the five senses.
In Japan, shinrin-yoku is very popular: every year, about 5 million people attend forest therapy sessions at one of the 65 official centers. Health benefits include stress reduction and strengthening the immune system.
7. Do the right thing
The Japanese are known for strictly following traffic rules and public road signs. They also value punctuality, have a strong work ethic, and a strong sense of responsibility to the community they live in. In other words, it is a very disciplined society.
Try to apply this habit in your life, especially with rules that have been designed for the common good: not littering in the street, obeying traffic signals, respecting the line order, and being respectful to others.
Learn from Japanese habits
Due to their ancient habits, the Japanese are admired by many other cultures around the world. The discipline, respect, harmony, and humility of this civilization translate into greater well-being and a better quality of life. Undoubtedly, applying some of these tips can bring us some mental peace amid our routines. We encourage you to give it a try too!
