In Japan, there’s a famous doctor and teacher who’s lived to be 104 years old. His name is Shigeaki Hinohara. Dr. Hinohara was born in 1911, and over the course of his later years (after the age of 75), he’s written 150 books, including the best-selling volume “Living Long, Living Good.” He’s also the founder of what’s called the “New Elderly Movement” in Japan, which instructs older adults how to lead long, meaningful lives. Here are 14 pieces of advice he happily offers so that you, too, may be able to live past 100.
1. Take the stairs instead of an elevator, and carry your own things
Even today, Dr. Hinohara takes stairs two at a time, and he carries any necessary objects that he’s able to hold.
2. Don’t believe everything that your doctor says or recommends
While this may be counterintuitive, it’s worked for Dr. Hinohara; he believes it’s better to read, explore and educate yourself. You know your body better than anyone else.
3. Share the things that you know
In a typical year, Dr. Hinohara gives 150 lectures to schools, businesses and other institutions. His audiences number from 100 to 4,500 people. He shares lessons about many things he’s learned — even about war and peace. Most of these lessons are taught by Dr. Hinohara in a standing position for 60 to 90 minutes.
4. Retirement isn’t necessary
Who says you have to retire if you love the work you perform? Most countries set their retirement age long ago when life expectancy was much shorter. In Japan, there are currently 36,000 people who are 100 years old or older. In 20 more years, that number is expected to rise to 50,000.
5. Plan ahead
It’s important to stay busy and fill your schedule with work, appointments, activities, etc. For instance, Dr. Hinohara is already planning on attending the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
6. Don’t let yourself become overweight
For breakfast, Dr. Hinohara consumes coffee, orange juice and a tablespoon of olive oil. For lunch, he has cookies and milk. And for dinner, he eats rice, vegetables and fish. Two times per week, he consumes 100 grams of lean meat. Dr. Hinohara says amongst people of all nationalities, those who live to extreme old age are never overweight. This is true no matter a person’s family history, race or sex.
7. Energy comes from feeling good
Dr. Hinohara believes that energy does not come from sleeping many hours or from eating particularly well; instead, he believes it’s more important to feel positive and happy. In essence, he says, living like a child is OK — don’t pay so much attention to rules, and try to have lots of fun.
8. Living for a long time is wonderful
Dr. Hinohara volunteers and serves society. He says that after the age of 60, contributing to society is more important than focusing on one’s family. Dr. Hinohara claims to work as many as 18 hours per day, 7 days per week. He also claims to enjoy each and every moment of his life.
9. Find a role model for yourself
Dr. Hinohara still looks up to his father as his own personal role model. Who is yours?
10. Life is unpredictable, so don’t have expectations
When he was 59, Dr. Hinohara was kidnapped by the Communist Chinese army. He was forced to endure 105-degree heat for four days while being handcuffed to a chair. He said that his body was able to adjust to the deprivation of food, to his amazement.
11. Science by itself cannot heal or cure people
Dr. Hinohara believes that the visual and liberal arts play a big part in curing illness. Dr. Hinohara also believes every individual is unique, so medicines and therapies may affect different people differently.
12. Don’t be greedy or materialistic
There’s a universal saying that Dr. Hinohara brings up — “You can’t take it with you.” Dr. Hinohara is a big believer in this idea.
13. Pain is a mystery
In order to forget about pain, you have to have fun. In the experience of Dr. Hinohara, both animals and music were able to help him manage and get rid of his pain. He offers the example of a child that has a toothache. If you play a game with the child, he or she will forget about the toothache. Dr. Hinohara argues that art classes and animal therapy can help people forget about pain.
14. Be inspired
Dr. Hinohara believes you have to find inspiration to be motivated. One of the things that inspires Dr. Hinohara is the poem “Abt Vogler” by the author Robert Browning. The poem teaches that “big art” rather than “small scribbles” are best in life. For instance, Vogler says you should try to draw a circle that’s so large you cannot hope to complete it in your lifetime. Instead of a circle, Vogler says, you will see an arch, but the rest of the circle is still out there, far off in the distance.
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