"In Japanese culture, there is a concept known as "Ikigai," which means a reason for being. Many researchers investigating the secret behind the long and healthy lives of people in Okinawa believe that having a purpose in life is one of the main causes for the long lives of the people there. In Okinawa, it is common to see elderly men and women who, despite their age, continue to work, exercise, and get around on motorcycles and bicycles."
"Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, in their book Ikigai, found that the Okinawan people recognize the importance of lifestyle, friendships, good food, sleep, and exercise for a long life. However, the people themselves believe that their real secret is their passion for life [1]. This passion for life contrasts sharply with the feeling that life is meaningless. This feeling of meaninglessness can sometimes go so far that a person sees life as continuous suffering and decides to end it."
Transience of all things leads some people to conclude that life is meaningless. Motivation and desire for life correlate with longer healthspan. Dopamine participates in controlling cellular aging processes, supporting a physiological link between hope and longevity. Hopelessness can cause irreparable damage and trigger severe illnesses. A Persian proverb says, "A human lives on hope." Japanese Ikigai denotes a reason for being and correlates with purpose-driven longevity observed in Okinawa. Okinawan elders often remain active, working, exercising, and socializing, emphasizing lifestyle, friendships, good food, sleep, exercise, and passion for life. Nihilistic meaninglessness can escalate to despair and increase suicide risk.
Read at Psychology Today
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