10 principles of longevity from Japanese doctor Shigeaki Hinohara, who lived 105 years old

Shigeaki Hinohara, the famous oldest doctor from Japan, is an example of an active, strong-willed and purposeful man. He performed surgeries and practiced yoga until the last days of his life.

Shigeaki Hinohara’s biography is an illustrative example of the fact that one can learn and change profession at any age. Of course, his ideas, attitudes and life principles were reflected in the books he wrote after 70 years. The editions are still sold out in millions of copies. One of the books “Live Long, Live Well” became a bestseller in Japan.

Biography of Shigeaki Hinohara

Hinohara was born in the small town of Yamaguchi on the island of Honshu in 1911. He received his medical education at Kyoto University. In 1941, he began to conduct appointments at St. Luke’s Hospital in Tokyo, where he worked until his death.

He did not stop his labor activity even for a day. He performed surgeries even during the war years, under aerial bombardment. In 1990, Shigeaki Hinohara received the title of honorary doctor of the hospital. He was also awarded medals from Kyoto Imperial University, Thomas Jefferson University, McMaster University.

His ideas were recognized at the national level. It was Hinohara who influenced the creation and implementation of mandatory annual medical examinations in the Japanese health care system.

The hospital, which the doctor headed from 1990 to 2017, was characterized by its unusual system of treating patients. It involved mandatory 10-hour sleep, evening yoga classes and musical evenings on weekends. By the way, the orchestra was conducted by Shigeaki Hinohara himself. At the age of 90, he realized his long childhood dream and graduated from a specialized high school of music.

Shigeaki Hinohara died at the age of 105. Almost to the last day he led an active lifestyle, received patients, lectured and traveled.

Let’s turn to the secrets of Hinohara’s longevity, which helped him to keep his vigor and reserve of vitality.

Principles of longevity Shigeaki Hinohara

1. Read

Shigeaki was convinced that cognitive development is one of the most effective ways to prevent dementia. It is through reading books, especially from an early age, that the process of senile dementia can be slowed down. Shigeaki Hinohara also believed that training the brain is one of the basic conditions that will help you live to be a hundred years old.

2. Laugh

The Japanese longevity doctor believed that a good mood and positive attitude can work wonders. Laughter, according to him, can extend the years of life, cope with various ailments: migraine, cough and even joint pain. Self-irony and making fun of your own shortcomings are also useful,” Shigeaki Hinohara noted.

3. do not think about the past

Hinohara advised not to dwell on the past, but to live in the present. In his opinion, memories to which a person constantly refers do not give development. He compared turning thoughts to the past to reading the same book in a circle. There should be variety in life. Learn new things and live in the present – advised the Japanese long-lived man.

4. communicate with the young

Young people live in the present. The past is not much in their arsenal. They do not think about the future so often, and enjoy the moments here and now. That’s the beauty of it, Hinohara said. He advised to take an example from young people who have “bright eyes” and still have enough optimism.

5. Watch your weight and health

The Japanese doctor advised all his colleagues, as well as patients, to carefully observe the changes in their body and body. To make it easier to analyze the parameters, he proposed to start a “health notebook”. In it, Hinohara suggested recording the level of cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, etc.

6. Work hard

Work hard always and till your last day. This was the opinion of a Japanese long-lived man. It is this process that will be an excellent prevention of senile mental illness. All long-livers were maximally involved in their business and led an active social life. Shigeaki Hinohara himself worked 18 hours seven days a week.

7. Give up comfort

“Favorable living conditions dissolve people and make them lazy,” the Japanese doctor wrote in his writings. The presence of cars, elevators in the house makes life inactive. Hinohara urged to give up comfort. He himself tried to always walk, and went up in buildings between floors always only on stairs, stepping over two steps. In this way he developed his joints.

8. Plan

Despite the Japanese doctor’s conviction to live for today, he also encouraged thinking about the future. He himself kept a diary in which his schedule was spread out over several years. Hinohara believed that having plans was a great incentive to move forward and live.

9. Don’t hoard material things

Shigeaki Hinohara wrote in his book “Live Long, Live Well” that chasing things is a sure path to stress. You shouldn’t hoard junk and material things for years. That’s what the doctor believed. He was convinced that all this stuff clutters not only the space in which we live, but also our thoughts. Hinohara advised to learn to get rid of unnecessary things and keep personal space clean.

10. Exercise

Shigeaki Hinohara’s main principle was, “It is impossible to maintain mental clarity without physical movement.” He strongly recommended engaging in activity. The Japanese long-lived Japanese was puzzled why morning jogging or an hour’s training in the gym are sometimes equated by people to a feat. He considered these activities as obligatory as brushing your teeth or eating breakfast.

Psychologist’s opinion

Psychologists agree with the position of long-lived Shigeaki Hinohara, but they advise you not to forget about your own principles and life attitudes. You should not blindly trust other people’s advice. Take your personal circumstances into account.

Business and clinical psychologist

“The principles of longevity, which promoted the Japanese doctor, can be useful for many people, but you need to choose the right one for yourself. Each person is different and should work out his or her own way to health and happiness. The main thing is to listen to your body and heart, to find a balance between work and rest, to be positive, open to the world and people. Then, perhaps, such attitudes will become an excellent prevention of dementia and other aging diseases.”

The principle of working hard all the time has a right to life, but it is not universal advice. Work differs in content and type of load, and does not always correspond to a person’s internal rhythms. Some people work under the pressure of circumstances, forced to perform a certain function. Unloved work can cause stress, discouragement, lead to low self-esteem and depression.

To achieve harmony with yourself, it is important to take into account your individual characteristics, such as temperament, character and others. It is worth understanding and recognizing your true motivation, goals and needs. Not all people are equally ambitious, hardworking, responsible or creative.

Some are content with what they have. He needs more time for recreation, entertainment, hobbies or family. That’s why I won’t recommend that everyone indiscriminately work hard and continuously. You should organize your life in such a way that it brings joy, satisfaction and benefits to yourself, family, friends and society.

Be optimistic and live in the present

This principle is very important for a long and happy life. Optimism helps to overcome difficulties, find positive aspects in any situation and not be afraid of the future. A positive outlook on life helps you not to dwell on problems at work or with your health, but to enjoy every day.

Gerontological studies claim that optimists live and stay healthy longer than pessimists. Optimism promotes the production of endorphins – happy hormones that improve mood, immunity and overall body health. Optimists are also better at managing stress, adapting to change and solving problems.

Living in the present is also good for mental health. It helps you avoid mindlessly chewing over past situations and give up the constant thoughts of calculating the future. Living in the here and now, appreciating what we have and being grateful for it is one of the secrets of long-livers.