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It is a well known fact that Japanese women are the healthiest people in the world. These women have topped the world’s longevity ranks for 23 years. The reason for this is multifaceted and includes a healthy diet, increasing medical technology and a tight-social network. There are probably another dozen or so reasons and theories on why Japanese women continue to top the health charts, and we here at cupspot found the simplest most obvious answers…on my favorite teacup.

My little Japanese teacup elaborates very simply, yet thoroughly, all the things we can do to make a difference in our health right now and in the long run.

Listed in complex looking vertical lines of hiragana and kanji, my teacup gently reminds me every day the 10 simplest ways of staying healthy in both mind and body.

Some need more explanation than others but here we go:

Less meat, more vegetables: Don’t skimp on your veggies! Everyone knows that vegetables are loaded with natural vitamins and minerals. They are an excellent source of dietary fiber which provides us with extra energy. This even helps to control your weight. Meat is a great source of protein but consuming too much is often linked to cancer and heart disease.

Less salt more vinegar: We all know too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure which then may lead to heart disease, kidney disease or a stroke. So decrease the intake and replace it with vinegar. Vinegar helps eliminate fatigue and it reduces blood cholesterol levels and heart-disease risk. While fighting obesity and aiding in weight loss, it also allows the body to absorb one-third more calcium from green vegetables than it would without the aid of vinegar.

Less Sugar, More Fruit: Everyone is talking about antioxidants and what better way to consume them than by eating delicious fruit and drinking 100% pure fruit smoothies. Find antioxidants in raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries as well as pomegranate and the trendy acai berry. Enjoy the sweet taste without all the unnecessary calories from sodas and imposter sugar beverages containing “real fruit”.

Eat less, Chew More: Did you know it takes a while for the brain to realize that you are full? Sometimes you’ll over eat because you just don’t feel satiated. So start chewing more! This will slow down your eating habits and will give time for your stomach to send your messages of “I’m full now” to your brain. Chewing more will also aide in digestion and helps you limit your portion sizes.

Dress Lightly, Bathe Often: This one needs a bit more explaining. In Japanese culture, it is encouraged to tough it out even when it gets really cold. It is taught not to be so eager to put on those mittens or scarves, and to endure any type of weather with light attire. This way, you will not be so over encumbered, your body will be better enabled to adapt to changes, and you will not get sick at the first signs of winter. By bathing often, you warm up your entire body and become revived. The Japanese often shower first and then take long relaxing baths in extremely hot water to trigger increased blood flow and to wash away the day’s baggage.

Drive Less, Walk More: Pretty obvious, no? A brisk 45 minute walk can burn roughly 300 calories. But walking has other benefits as well. It’s relaxing and helps clear the mind. In this fast-paced, high stress day and age of “I want everything yesterday!” a nice long walk in the park alone or with a loved one can help to slow things down and get the feeling of control back in your life. You’ll also help out the environment by not blowing disgusting exhaust emissions into the air.

Less Anger, More Laughter: Everyone’s heard that “It takes 37 muscles to frown and only 22 to smile.” The truth behind this popular aphorism is unknown, but smiling and laughing are in fact, crucial to a healthy life. When we laugh, our body releases an array of hormones and chemicals that have extremely positive effects on our body. Try taking a laughing session at your yoga class for immediate benefits including stress reduction, drop in blood pressure and a boosted immune system.

Worry Less, Sleep More: This is a very important aspect of health that many people often ignore. The modern world is full of anxiety due to the responsibilities they are tied to. Mortgage, jobs, school, children and even maintaining a social life can be burdensome, and it is becoming all too normal to be constantly stressed out. This takes a huge toll on our bodies. In order to be truly healthy, you must leave your worries at the door. Realize that some things are out of your control, take a deep breath and go to bed. Everyone knows the importance of a good night’s rest, and in order to get some real shut-eye, you must be able to let go of the stress.

Speak Less, Act More: Practice what you preach. If you’re going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk. Those are just a few of the sayings we are all too familiar with. Seriously, if you have something THAT profound to say, show it through your actions, not through your empty words.

Take Less, Give More: The statement, “You must give in order to receive” is somewhat twisted. It entails that you are only giving to receive something in return. By applying the “take less, give more” principal, it guides you to concentrate on giving without expecting something back. This is extremely important to your health as it reduces greed and desire while teaching you to be grateful for what you already have.

These top ten health commandments found on my Japanese teacup truly takes into count all the necessary and most obvious ways to be healthy physically, mentally and even spiritually reminding us that it’s the little things we do on a daily basis that really count.

Please share and enjoy!