Page 24 - Tropic Magazine Issue 31

TROPIC • HEALTH

However, four in five people aged 65
years or over are living with one or more
chronic conditions. Typically, chronic
diseases in later life reflect the cumulative
effect of genetic factors, environmental
exposures to various toxins as well as
chosen lifestyle behaviours.
As a society we seem to have accepted
Finding ikigai that ‘ageing’ is strongly correlated with
a long period of declining health and an
AGEING increasing burden of medication and
restricted quality of life. Indeed, ageing
Tropic columnist Dr Alex as a biological concept is a chronic and
Bernhardi explains the Japanese unavoidable state, which basically starts
philosophy of ‘ikigai’ and how the moment we enter life. But research
it can combat chronic illness at shows that it is possible to live long and
well, enjoying relatively good health until
any age. an inevitable period of decline only at the
very end of life, not decades beforehand.
Australia, along with many other
countries in the developed world, is What’s needed to live a long
experiencing a marked increase in and healthy life? the world where people frequently
the percentage of its population over The crucial role of supportive nutrition, live beyond 100 and are essentially
fifty years old. With this changing moderate exercise, quality sleep as well as disease free, one of which is Okinawa
demographic comes a greater interest in stress management strategies are all well in Japan.
not only living longer but living better. established and definitely belong to the
According to the latest ABS data, pillars of longevity. What is ikigai?
Australia has the sixth highest male and One rarely discussed aspect is the Here are some of the many different
female combined life expectancy in the Japanese concept of ‘ikigai’. interpretations of ikigai:
world (89.9 years for males and 85 years Ikigai can be translated as ‘having a
for females). sense of purpose’ or as ‘that which makes 1 Ikigai can be what someone is most
one’s life significant’. While it’s believed interested in giving or how they most
the philosophy stretches back many enjoy making a difference (helping out
centuries, it is becoming a more common with grandchildren, continuing with
expression since Dan Buettner wrote research, mentoring and volunteering
about the Blue Zones – the five areas in for example)

BLUE ZONES
LOMA LINA
UNITED STATES
SARDINIA ICARIA OKINOWA
NICOYA ITALY GREECE JAPAN
COSTA RICA

24 • Tropic • Issue 31