Mumbai nutritionist shares 4 simple lifestyle lessons from Japan for healthy living

Japan is really living in the future. This is a phrase we all have heard at least once in our lives. From cutting-edge technology to towering skyscrapers and high-speed bullet trains, the country continues to feel like a glimpse into what the rest of the world is slowly catching up to. But if you take a step back and really look at the bigger picture, you would know that Japan’s true strength lies not just in innovation, but in the everyday lifestyle choices of its people.

Mumbai-based nutritionist Sanya Wadhera recently shed light on the topic by sharing her experience of visiting Japan. According to the health expert, she has been to the country twice, and after she returned to India, Sanya couldn’t help but notice four key differences between Japan and India’s way of living in terms of holistic well-being.

Silence as a way of life

As per Sanya Wadhera, Japan maintains silence as if it were a ritual. The streets here are quiet, minus any unnecessary honking or chaos, and the trains even echo a similar pattern. Nobody speaks on the speaker in public and restaurants also have a calm atmosphere where patrons speak in a low, respectful tone. This aspect gives your brain a break from the constant commotion.

Self-care without labels

Although beauty and self-care practises are evolving in India, there’s a certain level of prejudice when it comes to men’s grooming. But in Japan, self-care is gender-neutral, claims Sanya Wadhera. Men invest in skincare, undergo grooming at salons, eat clean, and dress neatly without anyone calling them ‘girly’.

Fitness without trying too hard

The easy accessibility of vending machines ensures that people get what they need anytime, be it water, green tea, coffee, matcha, zero-sugar options, electrolytes, BCAAs, or protein drinks. Commuters also typically use the stairs at train stations, as walking is considered an unspoken daily fitness rule that everybody follows.

The 80% rule

Another key takeaway from Japan is that the residents eat meals until they are 80% full. This threshold, locally known as hara hachi bu, is not a diet trend or a hack but a culinary tradition that has been carried on for centuries. Japanese people believe that food is fuel, and you stop eating when you feel satisfied, not stuffed.