Life nowadays is a race to the finish line, deadlines, chores, relationships, and interminable messages on our phones. It is not astonishing that many of us have become accustomed to stress, as it is part of our daily life. But guess what? The Japanese have also perfected a few gorgeous simple methods of dealing with stress and leading more relaxed lives, despite existing in the midst of a busy world.
Japan is one of the quickest countries, but the people appreciate tranquility, attention and the ability to relax. Japanese culture has evolved over the years and has formulated a number of techniques to enable individuals get back to their inner peace. Now, we will discuss some of these age old techniques and how they can help you out in your daily routine and make your life a little bit lighter and at-most happier.
1. Shinrin-Yoku: Forest Bathing as the Healing Power
Have you ever been walking through a park and felt lighter right after that? That is how they refer to Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing. It does not mean taking a literal bath in the woods. It is about being in touch with the nature using all of your senses.
In Japan, people tend to go to the woods in order to refresh their minds. They slow their pace, hear the nature sounds, the birds singing and take deep breaths. Studies show that the time spent with trees can reduce the level of stress hormones, improve the mood and also the body resistance.
You do not have to live inside a forest to try this. By Taking simple walks in your local park or even sitting under a tree, listening to the wind, can help you to relieve your thoughts. You just leave away your phone and let nature do its work.
2. Ikigai: Finding the Reason You Wake Up Every Morning
The most energizing Japanese philosophies is called "Ikigai", which means the "reason of being in a very loose way." The main thing is to live in and be happy with your everyday life- something that makes you feel that you have a purpose.
One of your ikigai does not have to be anything grand. It may be your morning cup of tea, a hobby you like, a friend you talk to or your interest in giving a helping hand to others. You will automatically make stress step aside when doing something that gives you meaning and happiness.
To illustrate, I have once encountered an online community member who claimed that her ikigai was going to water her plants every morning, and then going to work. That little ritual made her feel peaceful and accomplished and that was what set the mood of her whole day.
Then, when you are lost or you are overwhelmed, just take a couple of minutes to meditate, what little things make you feel happy? That is your ikigai who are waiting to shine.
3. Wabi-Sabi: The Beauty of the imperfect
In the pursuit of perfection crazy world, the Japanese philosophy of "Wabi-Sabi" is almost a breath of fresh air. It instructs us to see things as they are incomplete, imperfect and temporary.
The best example is think of a cracked cup that still holds your tea perfectly well. Wabi-Sabi is the process of discovering beauty in all these tiny imperfections and gracefully accepting them in life.
The issue is that many individuals are stressed since they always compare their life with that of other people online or offline. Wabi-Sabi can make you tolerant of yourself and your environment. You get to know that you do not have everything figured out.
Give it a day, though: rather than judging yourself or what has happened to you, find something plain and unidealistically beautiful in your life, such as a disorderly kitchen that signifies that your family shared a meal together.
4. Kaizen: Small Steps Toward a Better You
"Kaizen" is Japanese approach, which translates to "continuous improvement". The main concept is to make small steps on a daily basis to become better or to make the world around you a better place.
When we experience stress, we are likely to desire quick solutions a spontaneous vacation, a radical change in life, a dramatic choice. Kaizen provides an understanding that gradual yet steady improvement is more effective.
In a case, when you are stressful due to the fact that your home is messy, you should not attempt to clean everything within a day. It is just to begin with one corner or one drawer. The little steps will eventually have big outcomes and you will be able to think less because you will have taken the pressure off your mind.
This technique is excellent at the individual level as well: reading a couple of pages a day, five minutes of meditation, or listing one positive thing at night. Everything is Kaizen in play, it is mild growth that will ease the strain at all levels.
5. Oosouji: The Pleasure of Cleaning and De-cluttering
Cleaning in Japan is not only about ensuring that things are clean it is almost a spiritual issue. "Oosouji" translates to "big cleaning" and it is performed during the end of the year in particular. The point is to begin afresh by cleaning your house, your workplace, and even your head.
By cleaning consciously, you are not merely getting rid of dust, and you are also clearing the emotional rubbish. A clean place often brings clarity and calmness.
You have already experienced Oosouji, in case you have ever felt calm after cleaning the desk or washing your clothes. Attempt to sort one aspect of your life or your residence and empty it out and you'll feel a fantastic weightless feeling thereafter.
6. Kintsugi: Healing by the Broken
"Kintsugi" The art of mending broken gold or silver lacquer pottery. The Japanese do not conceal cracks but make them shine, transforming the fragments of the pieces into something special.
This approach has a very deep life lesson. Everybody has some moments heartbreak, failure, loss. Kintsugi is a reminder that these cracks are our history and which made us stronger and more beautiful.
When you experience another failure in the future, think of Kintsugi. Slow it down, heal slowly and learn that your scars, emotional and physical, are part of your character and not your weakness, but one of character.
7. Zazen: Sitting in Stillness
Sitted meditation: "Zazen" is a type of meditation in Zen Buddhism, which only involves "sitting in one place and watching". It is also among the most practical methods to alleviate stress and achieve the state of inner harmony.
Nor must you turn into a nun to do this. You just need to sit up, close your eyes and focus on breathing. Allow thoughts to pass and remain.
Five minutes of this can be a great difference. Practice will make you see how your head will become clearer and more balanced even in situations of stress.
8. Omoiyari: The Understanding and Concern of others
"Omoiyari" entails being sensitive to the emotions of others, which is vital in the Japanese social life. It is about knowing what lies unspoken, being kind and leaving without a reward.
We can find that when we are emphatic our stress also tends to decrease. Listening to a person, smiling, and kind word can lighten up your day. Empathy creates a feeling of affiliation that combats loneliness, which is one of the primary causes of stress today.
To add more peace to your day, you may want to employ Omoiyari even in the smallest gestures that can spread out and make your environment warm.
9. Hara Hachibu: Eating Till You Are 80% Full
This tiny principle was adhered to in Okinawa, Japan one of the healthiest places in the world - I would say it is called "Hara Hachibu", which translates "to eat until you are 80 percent full".
Unhealthy eating habits may not only lead to physical uncomposure but also mental tiredness and frustration as well. Eating mindfully and not eating until you are full to the brim you will allow your body time to digest in a relaxed manner.
Slow down when eating, chew your food and listen to your body. You will be able to digest better, and your head will be clearer as well.
10. Ma: The Space Between
The idea of making space, between the activities, between the thoughts, between the breaths, is called "Ma". It is the break that enables the life to pass.
We hardly do it in the present-day life. We also skip tasks and do not take a time-out. Ma is about choosing to take little pauses in your life one moment at a time: to take three deep breaths before you can reply to a message or to have a few silent seconds after lunch.
These short breaks allow your brain to rejuvenate and refresh. It is as though you are pushing your mental energy refresh button.
Final Thoughts
Japanese stress management involving stress-related techniques is not based on avoidance. They are kind pieces of advice to turn the pace down, reconnect, and live a more alerted life. It may be as simple as cleaning up your home, treating yourself well these simple rituals can bring calmness to your day.
Try to incorporate at least one or two of these methods in your life. You will see changes in mood and energy. Most importantly, peace is not necessarily about doing more but about doing less and deliberately.
In case if you found this article useful, then you can share it with your friends or on social media. It could be of assistance to a person who is experiencing stress and not showing of it. And by the way does this like this kind of no frills, easy to apply wellness advice sound good to you?
Stress-free living is a beautiful daily ritual of which we should make a living, one conscious step at a time.
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