LOHAS means lifestyles of health and sustainability, and it has been used in Japan in the last two decades. The word was originally created in the United States, but I don’t think it has spread so much over there, instead, it became more popular in Japan around 2003 to 2007.
Although it isn’t used that much these days, I like the meaning because it is holistic covering both health and the environment. From organic farming, renewable energy, and eco houses, to yoga, shiatsu, psychotherapy, and meditation are all categorized as LOHAS.
In yesterday’s presentation to the mayor and superintendent, I used the word LOHAS because that is exactly what we need in our town.
During the COVID 19 pandemic, health has become such a big issue, but not in the sense of modern Western medicine. More and more research suggests that we need to have a holistic understanding of health to boost our immune system. It means including alternative medicine. However, the members of the Japanese general public have very little understanding of holistic health, especially schools, hospitals, and local health centers. And it is more so in the countryside.
Therefore LOHAS can benefit our town tremendously. As far as organic farming is concerned, it has become somewhat familiar here since it is a farming community. And yet, organic life isn’t just to do with farming, it is to do with our medicine, education, business, and the way we communicate with one another. LOHAS covers all these areas. We can create LOHAS businesses, too, which can vitalize our local economy.
We can include outdoor sports in LOHAS such as Nordic walking, and it will make here an exciting town to live in.
The Ikigai Diet: The Secret Japanese Diet to Health and Longevity
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