IIt’s no secret that Americans are among the most stressed people in the world, prone to overworking and spending what little free time we have on performance-based hobbies.
“Americans don’t have a good relationship with relaxation,” says Iris Mauss, a psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley. While we’re aware of the need for downtime, she says, we just can’t escape the busy culture that tells us we should make the most of all the downtime we get. “People here define themselves by their work and activity.”
While Americans are burning the candle at both ends, many other cultures have no problem making time for a little rest and relaxation every day. Here are 7 relaxation rituals from around the world — and why they’re worth trying.
Forest bathing in Japan
Taking regular walks in the forest is more than a hobby in Japan. It’s a form of preventive medicine called Shinrin-yokucredited with improving sleep quality, mood and immunity.
Forest bathing researcher Dr. Qing Li, associate professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo and author of Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness, says this practice works by opening our five senses to the natural world, calming our nervous and endocrine systems. What’s more, breathing phytoncidesor organic compounds released from plants, offers antimicrobial benefits and has been shown to stimulate a type of white blood cell that fights disease.
Self-massage in India
For many generations in India, a daily pre-bath oil massage was standard for starting the day feeling alert, calm and focused, says Zubinji Billimoria, a certified practitioner of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, based in Los Angeles. . Although most of us find it difficult to commit to anything before 6:30 am, to look for showed that practicing massage at this time pays dividends in reducing stress when done regularly, even if it is just once a week. You are helping to counteract the stimulating modern lifestyle of cell phones, TV and video games that leaves people anxious, impatient and unable to concentrate or sleep, while supporting the body’s natural circadian rhythm, or biological clock, says Billimoria.
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To begin, massage the oil over your head, neck, shoulders, arms and back, before circulating clockwise across your chest, down the sides of your legs and up the insides, ending on your belly, rubbing again in a clockwise motion. Let the oil act for at least 30 minutes and then take a shower.
Sauna culture in Finland
Saunas may be relegated to spa days in the US, but in Finland – the happiest country in the world seven times in a row, according to the World Happiness Report—are a weekly ritual and are part of the nation’s cultural DNA. The sauna is so ingrained in Finnish society that it is recognized by UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and celebrated in Finnish songs, beliefs and folklore. Around 90% of Finns go to the public sauna at least once a week, according to the Finnish Heritage Agency. The health benefits of sweating in the dry heat of a sauna include improvements in blood pressure, reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease and dementia, and increased endorphins, according to one study. review study in Mayo Clinic Procedures. To reap these benefits, sit in the heat for five to 20 minutes at a time, alternating with a refreshing swim, bath, or break outdoors.
Temazcal ceremonies in Mexico
In temazcal rituals, an ancient practice of indigenous cultures in North and South America, sweating is more than just relaxation or pain relief. It is a sacred practice led by a trained healer – a kind of therapy. Held inside a beehive-shaped mud or stone hut, participants sweat as hot lava rocks are covered with water and herbs and the guide leads them through a meditation with drums, flutes and chants, helping to release pent-up emotions, says Roselia Flandes, spa director at Conrad Punta Mita on Riviera Nayarit, which organizes temazcal ceremonies for guests.
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“It’s like a church, but it’s not religion,” says Marili Samayoa Monzon, a healer who leads ceremonies at her practice in Los Cabos, Mexico, as well as at One&Only Palmilla and White Lodge. Monzon says the heat forces people to turn inward and often brings up memories and emotions that she has been trained to help participants process. Growing in popularity, she says, wellness enthusiasts often return monthly or even weekly to their temazcal to alleviate physical and mental suffering.
Friluftsliv in Norway
Norwegians enjoy spending time in nature in all types of weather, a concept known as friluftsliv. This term means appreciating and connecting with nature, whether snowshoeing through a thick blanket of snow or strolling through a field of spring wildflowers. Spending time in nature has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve mental well-being. One 2019 meta-analysis of 84 previous studies found that immersive nature experiences provided clear benefits to self-esteem, self-efficacy, resilience, and academic and cognitive performance.
“The relationship between connection to nature and happiness appears to be positive and significant,” says study author Colin Capaldi, an epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Il Dolce Far Niente—or “the sweetness of doing nothing”—in Italy
Italians have seemingly perfected the art of balanced living, setting aside time each day to savor life’s simple pleasures. Whether it’s taking a while appetizer at an outdoor cafe, enjoying a quiet meal with family or friends, or simply soaking up the sun, Italians prioritize leisure and daily life to the fullest, says Massimo Braglia, a Bologna native who blogs about culture and the Italian language in Italian way of life.
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One of his most enjoyable days in recent memory was spending an entire day with his brother in Bologna, just sitting outside, people watching.
Siesta in Spain
Just over a decade ago, it looked like the Spanish ritual of an afternoon siesta after lunch would be abolished to bring workdays and productivity in line with the rest of Europe. This did not happened. In fact, as climate change raised temperatures across Europe last year, more people reportedly embraced siesta to escape the midday heat that ravages the city.
There are good reasons to consider a post-lunch nap. One University of London study found that taking a daytime nap delays the brain shrinkage that accompanies aging. Another study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found that taking a one-hour nap helped improve students’ ability to learn and perform better on tests.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
