Ikigai increases longevity, hobbies even more so.
Ikigai, having a purpose in life, an age-old Japanese ideology, rose to global prominence with the international bestseller “Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, published in 2016, English translation published in 2017. Ikigai Google searches (topic and search terms) have continued to rise since 2016 (source: trends.google.com).
The academic support (1) for Ikigai leading to a longer life, found that the mortality rate per 100 person-years was significantly reduced for those identifying as having a purpose in life (table below).
| Study deaths | Person-years | Mortality rate | |
| Neither | 83 | 782.0 | 10.61 |
| Ikigai only | 56 | 1025.9 | 5.46 |
| Hobbies only | 18 | 469.8 | 3.83 |
| Both | 91 | 4184.7 | 2.17 |
The mortality rate was reduced even more for those with both Ikigai and hobbies. Interestingly, the mortality rate was lower for those with hobbies only versus ikigai only. The authors discussed possible explanations, with hobbies perhaps strengthening neural networks, and/or being the cause of physical activity, a higher quality of life etc.
One potential positive byproduct of the Covid-19 related lockdowns is people taking up new hobbies.
If so, the more the better.
A follow-up study to the one above, (2) found a “10% lower risk of death for 2 hobbies and 31% lower risk for 5 hobbies compared to zero hobbies”. Especially effective were hobbies that involved physical activity and/or social interaction.
Japan began a hiking boom in 2010, (3) which now is broadening into increased camping activity. (4)
Even stuck indoors looking at the walls presents something to draw – though it is better to ramble into the woods, draw, and chat to passersby.
References:
- Relationship of having hobbies and a purpose in life with mortality, activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living among community-dwelling elderly adults, by Kimiko Tomioka, Norio Kurumatani, and Hiroshi Hosoi, March 5, 2016
- https://www.jages.net/library/pressrelease/?action=cabinet_action_main_download&block_id=4030&room_id=549&cabinet_id=253&file_id=9296&upload_id=11909
- Trends in Japan 2010: Yama boom, Japan Times, 20 December 2010
- https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/bizstream/20210410/2074099/
