Refocusing our energies to better our life standards cannot only be done only during New Years. Sometimes it can be done right away. Let’s just say, you can even do it today. That’s why in this article, let’s talk about ikigai and how this influences and changes your life.
The Meaning of Ikigai
Ikigai are japanese concepts that combine ‘iki’, meaning life or alive, and ‘gai’, meaning worth or benefit. It can be summed to just life purpose but there’s more to it than that. Ikigai pretty much evolved from the Japanese Traditional Medicine – which believes that your health or well-being is affected by your mental and/or emotional state, and your sense of purpose in life.
How Modern Lifestyle Affects us
First, let’s talk about life.
Let’s face it. Life can be repetitive. It can be composed of waking up, eating, working or studying, hobbying, and sleeping. What that does is that for some, if not most, it robs us of our time and energy working until our bodies are spent for a reward that might never come. The modern lifestyle is well known to put pressure on people and crack people until they break down. Studies report that finding and following your ikigai reduces risk of death by heart attack, helps mental and behavioral conditions such as anxiety and depression, helps avoid social isolation, and, by its exact definition, can help pull happiness into your life.
Finding Ikigai In Life
Finding your ikigai means doing exactly that which pays you and makes you happy. With knowing and following your ikigai, gone are the days where you have to drag yourself to work because your ikigai by definition will have you do that which makes you happy and pays you. A balance of health and wealth. And if you love and enjoy what you’re doing, then you’re in far better shape than someone in the corporate offices being jammed by their boss for something they are not entirely responsible for. Knowing and following your ikigai makes you live the life you’ve always wanted – as much as possible. And to do this is to follow the job/career that you want or your passions. It could also be a form of spirituality or activities that you want to do most like sports, etc. and try to make a life out of it. And if you already do and are still wondering about it, find balance and purpose to it; nothing more, nothing less.
Ikigai for your Health
The quality of our life dictates our health. Doing exercises or a balanced diet can put us in good condition, however, having an unhealthy mindset puts us overall at risk. Stress, anxiety and depression can be detrimental to our health. When we tend to put so much stress in our lives, our health follows. Finding your purpose or ikigai in life not only brings happiness but more importantly, it removes the dark shadows in our lives, bettering our mental state. It even contributes to healing some of our ailments and amplifies our immune system. When we find our ikigai or purpose, it gives us strength in health and in all aspects of our life. Imagine how this changes you, your lifestyle and the people surrounding you. It sounds magical and challenging but when you find your ikigai, it will be worth it.
Conclusion
Ikigai is one of the most beautiful concepts you can find in Japan to learn and practice to elevate your life. When you are in doubt, you can always start in yourself and find ‘ikigai’ or purpose in what you do everyday even in the smallest details. And as you progress, you do all things with intent for a greater purpose and always, to be a better version of yourself. And most importantly, ikigai teaches us to find balance in our work, life and spirituality. What is your ikigai?
References:
https://positivepsychology.com/ikigai/
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40534545-ikigai
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20170807-ikigai-a-japanese-concept-to-improve-work-and-life
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai
https://positivepsychology.com/ikigai/