How Japanese People Get Up in the Morning

For those who aren't used to waking up early , becoming a morning riser is a daunting task. For them, waking up early with a smile on their face is beyond the realm of possibility. The good news for those who frequently wake up late and want to share their early-rising habit is that the Japanese have a trick to reverse this trend, called Ikigai.

Pronounced ick-eee-guy, Ikigai is a Japanese wellness theory that can make your mornings better and more beautiful. Developed by neuroscientist Ken Mogi and author Hector Garcia in their book on Ikigai, the concept originates from Okinawa, which has the world's largest population of centenarians. While the Ikigai concept is a possible argument for longevity, its rise in popularity can be attributed to a deeper meaning behind it. Essentially, ikigai emphasizes the fact that people must first seek purpose.

The key concept of Ikigai is finding purpose in everything you do, such as your hobbies, your social life, your work, and your vacations. This relates to the idea of ​​social identity. Ikigai is the balance between what you're good at, what you love, what the world needs, and what you're capable of achieving.

There are those who truly desire material wealth, and then there are those who are dissatisfied with the pursuit of what they constantly desire. For them, the search for meaning in their lives is never-ending. Ikigai is a practice based on the premise of achieving something that meets all of these criteria.

How to practice it? Do what you want to do first thing in the morning.

Start your day with something you love to do, like running, dancing, or simply listening to your favorite music. Ikigai requires you to integrate passion, love, and a unique mission into the fabric of your daily life.

Think about the greater good of humanity and align your life's purpose with it. Your mood, state of mind, and perspective can be transformed by cultivating joy in your life, even if it's just a small thing. "It's important to realize that moods can be transformed through 'small' joys," Mogi said. He said that when the context changes, your brain adapts to the new context, and in just a short time, your mood can change substantially.

After that, nurture your curiosity for life, because life is full of wonders that must be discovered immediately.

Most people are often not very curious about life and do not want new things to happen when they are getting more and more bored. By staying "curious", you will eventually change many things in your life forever. Do what makes you always feel curious. If you do not know what, keep asking questions and exploring your feelings by staying "curious" then the answer will come.