Global Work-Life Wisdom: Japan
I just returned from 3 weeks in Japan + South Korea with my husband and son, and I’m still soaking it all in. This was our second trip to Japan, and once again I was struck by the attention to detail and precision woven into everyday life.
From the bustle of Tokyo and Osaka to the quiet of a mountain ryokan near Mt. Fuji to the heaviness of a visit to Hiroshima on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing...it was one of the more memorable trips we've been on. What fascinates me most about Japan is not just the beauty and culture (which are impeccably wonderful), but their approach to longevity and balance. In Okinawa, people tend to live longer, healthier lives thanks to a combination of factors, including walking, community, and food. But there’s more to it than lifestyle. There’s mindset too.
In the 1980s, Japan introduced shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing”) as a health practice for stressed city workers. Research shows just two hours in the forest can lower cortisol and boost immunity. Even short breaks outdoors can reset focus in the middle of a busy workday.
There’s also ikigai, the Japanese idea of a “reason for being,” the sweet spot between what you love, what you’re good at, and how you help others. Even a quick journal check-in can reconnect you with purpose at work.
And then there’s kaizen, essentially small, continuous improvements. Rather than chasing big, unsustainable changes, the Japanese embrace steady progress. A small adjustment, repeated consistently, compounds into lasting transformation.
These practices remind me that avoiding burnout and finding fulfillment doesn’t always have to be about radical change. It’s can also be about presence, purpose, and progress.
3 Ways to Bring Japan’s Practices Into Your Week:
➡️ Take a 15-minute walk outside (no phone!) to reset focus.
➡️ Do a quick ikigai journal check-in: What do I love? What am I good at? Who benefits?
➡️ Choose one small “kaizen shift” at work. Clear your desk, tweak your routine, or streamline a process.
