Natural Healing: Asian Relaxation Techniques To Relieve Stress

Asian Relaxation Techniques To Relieve Stress

By  Jenn Samson Contributing Author, a passionate  freelance writer, and editor

Stress has become an inevitable part of most people’s lives as a study done by the American Psychological Association reveals that 75% of Americans experienced at least one symptom of stress in 2017. And while most have come to accept a stressful lifestyle as the norm, it’s important to know that having chronic stress can have a negative impact on one’s health. According to the American Institute of Stress, physical and emotional disorders such as stroke, heart attacks, hypertension, and depression, among others, have all been linked to stress. This is why apart from working out and consuming nutrient-rich foods, it is also important to find natural ways to relieve stress to live a long and healthy life. If you want to try some new Asian relaxation techniques, here are a few proven Asian stress relief methods to rejuvenate you after a long and hectic day.

Asian Relaxation Techniques To Relieve Stress

Soak in a hot bath

It’s easy to forget about caring for yourself when going through a challenging time such as losing a loved one, being out of a job, or a breakup. However, it’s imperative to look after yourself during tough times because you need to find ways to process and heal. Sometimes, all you need to soothe your soul—even for a short time—is a nice long soak in the bath. In Korea, bathing in a public bathhouse called a jjimjilbang is what the young and old do to unwind. It’s also a great way to spend time with each other as they look after their health and wellness.

There are already a few Korean spas in the US, particularly in cities such as LA, New York, and San Francisco, and you can certainly visit one if you live near these areas. However, if bathing with strangers is not your idea of a relaxing time, you can replicate the jjimjilbang experience at home. After showering, soak in a hot bath for at least 20 minutes, then get out of the bath and exfoliate your skin using a loofah. You may want to soak for another 20 minutes right after this. End with a cool shower and relax with a cup of hot tea.

Relieve stress with a simple hand exercise

The Japanese have long since used a simple hand exercise to relieve their stress in mere minutes. The best thing about this exercise is that it can be done alone, and more importantly, you can do this whenever and wherever you need to self-soothe. All you need to do is to apply pressure to your fingers.

It is believed that each finger corresponds to a different emotion or feeling. Putting some pressure on the thumb helps you cope with anxiety and worries while doing the same on the index finger helps you deal with fear. Meanwhile, the middle finger is said to control anger; the ring finger helps you to cope with sadness while applying pressure to the pinky can boost self-esteem. Apply gentle, steady pressure on each finger—try it and see how it improves your mood.

Meditate for wellness

If you go to China, you’ll regularly see young and old people doing some form of meditation in public parks. Whether it’s Tai Chi or just sitting quietly with their eyes closed, it is believed that meditation can reduce stress and promote health. To meditate, simply sit comfortably and close your eyes. Breathe in and out, and focus on your breathing. Try to clear your mind of any worries and just concentrate on the movement of your body as you breathe in and out.

Looking after your well-being is a must, especially when you’re going through a stressful or difficult time. Try these Asian relaxation techniques to improve your health and well-being and to heal your emotions, your body, and soul.

Write as your experiance with these Asian relaxation techniques in the comments bellow

Jenn Samson is a freelance writer and editor. She used to work in PR but has been embracing the freelance life for many years now. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, hiking and traveling to Europe as much as possible.

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