Japanese health practices which one should start following immediately

Hello readers ,when it comes to health we are mostly inspired from western (gymming & strength training) and indian (Yoga and meditation) routines. Similarly in diet also we follow eating rituals inspired by west (high content meat,chicken), indian (veggies,lentils,cereals,beans,legumes etc), but we have left behind the most healthy country JAPAN and despite the fact japanese men and women have longest and healthiest life span their health rituals are not followed by many of us.

World Health Organization study claims, Japanese women came in first with life expectancies of 87 years.

Here i am going to discuss some food habits,health rituals and exercise routine followed by japanese from ancient time;

1. Fermented food in daily routine :

Japanese include fermented food in their day to day life like soy, miso  and the bean paste natto, shiokoji for seasonings, amazake, kombucha and or kimchi.Fermented food carries loads of good bacteria which helps in digestion and also to keep gut healthy and healthy gut helps in weight loss, keeping away chronic illness,skin issues and digestion related problems.

2. Japanese tea :

Drinking tea 3 to 5 times in a whole day is very common and adopted by most of the japanese citizens.Japanese only drink green tea which helps in enhancing cognitive function, reduce heart related complexity and decreases the chances of cancer.

Japanese citizens who drank five cups of green tea per day had 26 percent lower mortality rates.

3. Sea food :

According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Japanese seafood consumption was 55.7 kilograms per capita.The consumption of fish lowers the risk of death by heart disease by 36 percent. Diets heavy in fatty fishes are loaded with omega fatty acids and claim to prevent mood swings ,cancer and inflammation.

Eating two servings of fatty fish, like tuna or salmon, each week is highly recommended by scientists.

3. Bathing :

• Hot Spring Bath :

It is claimed by scientists of Japan that bathing with mineral loaded water can treat treat rheumatism, skin disorders ,neuralgia and blood pressure.

Japanese woman took bath in water having temperature 38 to 42 celsius for 20 min which helps in lowering blood glucose and ultimately in decreasing body weight.

• Forest Bathing : 

This is the bathing without water,basically just being in the presence of trees and no any activity needed like hiking or walking just relaxing between the trees.Forest bathing helps in lowering heart rate and blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, boost the immune system, and improve overall feelings of wellbeing.

4. Walking & Cycling :

Japanese use very less vehicles and prefer walking to stay fit which also improves their cardiovascular health,they also ride cycles to go to market or offices than vehicles which helps them to keep check on their weight and also give sigh of relaxation.

5. Exercises :

• Radio calisthenics :

Radio calisthenics ( literally, "radio exercises") are warm-up calisthenics i.e motor movement excercise performed to music and guidance from radio broadcasts. They are popular in Japan.

In Japan, radio calisthenics are broadcast to music on public NHK radio early in the morning.

• Dr. Toshiki Fukutsudzi towel exercise :

Take out five minutes of your time every day to do this exercise. Here's what you need to do-

First, you need a towel and roll it.

a) Sit on the floor, with your legs stretched out in front of you such that there is a distance of 8-10 inches between both feet. Now, place the rolled towel behind your back.

b) Lay down on the floor in a straight position with the towel placed under your waist.

c) Post this, try and bring your toes close to each other while maintaining the distance between the heels. Basically, your feet should be positioned like a triangle pointing upwards. Keep your upper body in the same position.

d) Next, lift your arms and take them over your head, almost touching the floor. Now, try and join your pinky fingers. The stretch you want to achieve is now complete. 

e) Your body will almost be arched like a inverted boat.

f) Stay in this position for about five minutes.

You should feel a burning sensation and slight pain in the beginning which eases with practice.

It helps in weight loss and backache.

References :

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/japan-long-healthy-life_n_5876866

https://savvytokyo.com/3-common-japanese-health-practices-arent-hard-to-follow/

https://savvytokyo.com/3-health-tips-learned-japan-helped-lose-40-pounds/

https://qz.com/804022/health-benefits-japanese-forest-bathing/

https://food.ndtv.com/health/this-simple-japanese-weight-loss-technique-just-needs-a-towel-roll-1750737

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_calisthenics