I teach about health inspired by simple Japanese philosophies and lifestyle practices, so you can learn to find peace, fulfillment, strength, and health in your own body. Sign up for my newsletter to receive all my writing and exclusive resources!
12 lessons on living healthfully I’ve learned from life in Japan
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Dear Reader, It's summer! And I've been hearing from so many family members, friends, and readers about their recent or upcoming trips to Japan 🇯🇵 It truly makes me happy to see so much interest in the country I grew up in. I love being able to share it with others, especially since it wasn't always as accessible, so it's great to see more people experiencing and learning from it. Whether you've visited Japan or are still dreaming of going, here are a few things I've learned about healthy living from life in Japan 😊 12 things about living healthfully I’ve learned from life in Japan I’ve lived in the US, and I’ve lived in Japan. I’ve lived in modest suburban communities, and I’ve lived in the biggest city in the world. The privilege of living in different parts of the world has shown me that the science between health, nutrition, and fitness doesn’t change no matter where you live. Japan may enjoy radically lower obesity rates and longer longevity than some of their western counterparts, but the people are not somehow genetically special or naturally more disciplined human beings— humans are not so different from each other. The difference really comes down to our understanding of how to live and our values around health. Because sometimes a different perspective can be the difference between an effortless healthy lifestyle, and constantly being on a stressful diet. Life in Japan showed me that. 1. Balance over perfection. A low-fat, low-carb, sugar-free diet of boiled vegetables and steamed chicken breast is no way to live— you can eat whatever you want and be okay. 2. Just enjoy it in moderation. No need to “go big or go home”. 3. Unless it’s a special occasion/holiday/celebration. The value of enjoying time with your loved ones is much greater than the value of calories saved. 4. Movement is a gift and pleasure of life. It is not a punishment for eating. Feel free to treat it as such. 5. You don’t need to equate exhaustion with effectiveness. Yes, that means if walking gives you pleasure, it is valid and valuable exercise. 6. Practice gratitude with food. It helps shift your focus away from food anxiety and toward confidence and calm. 7. A part of that practice may be taking the time to plate food beautifully. We slow down and savor food we appreciate. No need to count your chews. 8. White rice (or any refined carbohydrates in general) will not hurt you. See #2. 9. There are multiple ways to "treat yourself" When you equate calorie-dense foods as “treats”, you prime yourself to see indulgence through the lens of caloric value. But indulgence can be seasonality, quality, or novelty of a flavor. Redefined, indulging in delicious foods is not a health concern. You want to be happy, confident, and empowered. A certain pants size only brings so much joy. 11. Enjoy food. It’s not just fuel, but it’s a reflection of our values, identity, and joys. Treat it holistically as it holistically influences you. 12. Above all, treat yourself with care, grace, and kindness. We heal and grow when we’re nurtured, not punished. Warm regards, Kaki Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, please forward this email to your friends and family (or share the article) 🌱 If this email was forwarded to you, it's nice to meet you 😊
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Hi, I'm Kaki!
I teach about health inspired by simple Japanese philosophies and lifestyle practices, so you can learn to find peace, fulfillment, strength, and health in your own body. Sign up for my newsletter to receive all my writing and exclusive resources!
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