In Japan, the secret to living a longer, happier and more fulfilled life can be summed up in one word: Ikigai. In Japanese, iki means "to live" and gai means "reason" — in other words, your reason to live. This ideology dates to the Heian period (A.D. 794 to 1185), but only in the past decade has it gained attention from millions around the world. The ikigai way of life is especially prominent Okinawa, in a group of islands south of mainland Japan. (It has also been nicknamed the "Land of Immortals" because it has among the longest lifespans and highest rates of centenarians in the world.)

'The reason for which you wake up in the morning'

In a 2009 TED talk called "How to Live to Be 100+," award-winning journalist Dan Buettner explores the lifestyle traits of five places in the world where people live the longest. Of all the "blue zones," as Buettner defines them, Okinawans have the highest life expectancy. (The video has since been viewed close to four million times.) "In America, we divide our adult life into two categories: Our work life and our retirement life," he says. "In Okinawa, there isn't even a word for retirement. Instead there's simply 'ikigai,' which essentially means 'the reason for which you wake up in the morning.'" Buettner cites the ikigai of several Okinawans: For a 101-year-old fisherman, it was catching fish for his family three times a week; for a 102-year-old woman, it was holding her tiny great-great-great-granddaughter (which she said was "like leaping into heaven"); for a 102-year-old karate master, it was teaching martial arts.

Woven together, these simple life values give clues as to what constitutes the very essence of ikigai: A sense of purpose, meaning and motivation in life.

The health benefits of ikigai

For years, researchers have tried to find the reasons behind a long and healthy life. While the answer is likely a mix of good genes, diet and exercise, studies have suggested that finding meaning in life is also a key component. In a 2008 study from Tohoku University, researchers analyzed data from more than 50,000 participants (ages 40 to 79) and found that those who reported having ikigai in their lives had reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases and lower mortality rates. Put another way, 95% of respondents who had ikigai were still alive seven years after the initial survey compared to the 83% who didn't. It's impossible to tell whether ikigai guarantees longevity in life through this single study, but the findings suggest that having a sense of purpose can encourage one to build a happy and active life.

Finding your inner ikigai