Psychologist Hideki Wada has published a book titled "The 80-Year-Old Wall". Immediately after its release, the book's sales exceeded 500,000 copies, making it a bestseller at the time. If this sales trend continues, the book will sell over 1 million copies, becoming Japan's best-selling book of the year.
Dr. Wada, 61, is a physician specializing in mental illnesses in the elderly. He has compiled the secrets to a "fortunate" life for those aged 80 and above in 44 sentences, which are listed below:
1. Keep moving.
2. Breathe deeply when you are angry.
3. Exercise enough to prevent your body from becoming stiff.
4. Drink plenty of water when using air conditioning in the summer.
5. Diapers help increase mobility.
6. The more you chew, the more active your brain and body will be.
7. Forgetfulness is not due to age, but due to not using the brain.
8. There is no need to take too much medication.
9. There is no need to unnecessarily lower blood pressure and sugar levels.
10. Being alone is not loneliness; it is spending time peacefully.
11. Laziness is not a disgrace.
12. There is no need to spend money on a driver's license (a campaign is underway in Japan for senior citizens to surrender their licenses).
13. Do what you want; don't do what you don't like.
14. Natural desires persist even in old age.
15. Under no circumstances should you sit at home all the time.
16. Eat what you like; slight obesity is better.
17. Do everything carefully.
18. Don't socialize with people you don't like.
19. Don't watch TV all the time.
20. Instead of fighting the disease, learn to live with it.
21. "The road will appear when the cart reaches the mountain" - this is a magic mantra that brings joy to the elderly.
22. Eat fresh fruits and salads.
23. Bath time should not exceed 10 minutes.
24. If you can't sleep, don't force yourself.
25. Activities that bring pleasure increase brain function.
26. Say what you think; don't overthink.
27. Find a "family doctor" as soon as possible.
28. Don't be too patient or too forceful; being a "bold senior" is not bad either.
29. It's okay to change your mind sometimes.
30. In the final stage of life, dementia is a gift from God.
31. You become old when you stop learning.
32. Don't crave fame; what you have is enough.
33. Innocence is for the elderly.
34. The harder something is, the more interesting it becomes.
35. Sunbathing brings happiness.
36. Do things that benefit others.
37. Spend today comfortably.
38. Desire is key to a long life.
39. Live happily.
40. Breathe easily.
41. The principles of life are in your hands.
42. Accept everything calmly.
43. Happy people are loved by everyone.
44. A smile brings good luck.
Old age is not a limitation – it's a gift. With the right perspective and daily habits, the years after 60 can be the most fulfilling years of your life. Let us embrace old age not with fear, but with grace, gratitude, and the wisdom that Dr. Wada so generously shared.
*Please don't forget to share this with all the senior citizens.*