I totally loved this book and would recommend it. Unlike many self-help books, it doesn’t get boring after a few chapters. Every chapter has some meaningful content to help you live a happier and healthier life.
To summarise in one line, If you need to be happy and healthy, keep yourself busy with what you love. It could be as simple as being a good parent, helping neighbors, growing plants, etc
Few key tips that I learned from the book are as below,
1. Don't retire. Keep pursuing your passion as long as health permits
2. Eat until you are 80% full.
3. Have a good social circle with friends and family.
4. Find a purpose for your life that motivates you to wake up every day in the morning.
5. Find flow in everything you do so that you don't realize how time flies. Find a flow even in your daily chores. The tips to find that flow is
Chose a difficult task (not too difficult). If the task is too easy you get bored while if it's too difficult, you lose the motivation.
Have a clear objective to achieve.
Don't multi-task. Keep it simple and pay attention to details. Multi-tasking only stresses you as you could experience things going out of your control.
6. Lesson from centenarians who have a proven track record of long and healthy life
a. Don't worry. Keep smiling
b. Cultivate good habits
c. Nurture your friendships every day.
d. Live an unhurried life
e. Be optimistic
f. Eat healthily. Vegetables and Fruits
7. Slow and gentle movements help you lead a longer life than the gym. Yoga is better than any aggressive exercise routine
8. Resilience. No matter what hardships or challenges you face, ensure you come back. Emotional resilience is all the more important.
9. Picture what's the worst thing that could happen and be prepared for it.
10. Antifragility. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same. The antifragile gets better.
11. How can we be more antifragile
a. Create more options. Like multiple sources of income and not just relying on your employer. Have many friends etc.
b. Bet conservatively in certain areas and take many small risks in others
c. Get rid of things that make you fragile.
12. 10 rules of ikigai
a. Stay active, don't retire
b. Take it slow
c. Don't fill your stomach
d. Surround yourself with good friends
e. Get in shape for your next birthday
f. Smile
g. Reconnect the nature
h. Give thanks
i. Live in the moment
j. Follow your ikigai