Unwind: Exploring Different Stress-Relief Practices Around the Globe - Essay Sample

Introduction

People across the globe have various methods and strategies of destressing through the employment of relaxed social wellness practices. The contemporary world entails several stressful activities, from work to social-related pressure, that require one to devise better ways of stress management that boost their morale through enhancement of their mental and physical wellbeing (Meany-Walen, et al., p. 176). Stress has become a global semantic, with most people having little time to relax. The purpose of this paper involves the examination of various wellness plans that incorporates health and wellness practices from other cultures.

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Wellness Plan and Practices Across the World

All cultures around the globe pursue happiness and wellness practices that can enhance their mental and physical welfare. Some of these practices existed since the ancient days, such as the Egyptian ritual of cupping therapy to the current programs like Sweden's coffee breaks. India has developed a laughter yoga. The practice patented from an article published by Dr. Madan Kataria on the health significance of laughing titled 'Laughter-the Best Medicine' (Bressington, et al., pp.42-51). The method involves breathing workouts incorporated with involuntary laughter. The laughter yoga enhances the immune system, add extra oxygen to the body and brain, and develops an enriched sense of pleasure. The health and wellness plan involves integrating extra laughter in our day-to-day life. One can add extra laughter through attending comedy events, hanging out with friends, or creating time for intentional laughter.

Another health and wellness practice entails the Japanese Shinrin Yoku, which refers to 'forest bathing.' The method consists of a preventative health care program founded on the notion that there exist health benefits from being in the forest environment (Hansen, Reo, and Kirsten, p.851). Such health benefits include purer insight, improved flow of vitality, enhancement of acquaintances, and general intensification in delight. The practice involves frequent outdoor activities and a visit to natural places, picnics in forested habitats, or hanging out in a garden at least once a week. Such outdoor events improve the wellbeing of people.

Egyptians developed cupping therapy, which entails a medical practice of removing toxins from the body. Ancient times, the Egyptians used animal horns, then bamboo cups, and in the contemporary world, medics use glass cups. The health program involves placing a cap on the patient's body part that requires healing and then heat applied (Meany-Walen, et al., p. 176). The container acts as a vacuum and draws blood from the skin. The health scheme treats blood conditions, skin issues, migraines, and anxiety. The wellness program relates closely to acupuncture and mostly administered by acupuncturists. It is essential to understand various meridians of the body and how they link with the aching or distress one experiences.

The Chinese developed an elaborate acupuncture system that consists of implanting needles into the body to balance liveliness. Only specialists should administer the practice to patients. The point of injection of the needle determines the health problem the acupuncture treats, such as back pain, fevers, neck pain, blood pressure, and allergies (Meany-Walen, et al., p. 176). A person suffering from any of the above health disorders should seek medical attention from an acupuncturist and explain their conditions to receive professional advice on the commended regular programs that will assist reduce the pain.

Besides, Russians have the Banya, a steam immersion, or a sauna. The Banya entails a wooden house heated with logs in which a person warms up before jumping into a cold water bath. Once the individual has cooled off, they return. The Banya, therefore, exists as a place where people can relax and build friendships. Moreover, it enhances frankness and communication among associates (Meany-Walen, et al., p. 176). The health and wellness program improves bodily cleanliness and fights diseases. The program involves organizing a sauna day with close networks, creating an environment of sincerity, and talking about difficult issues. The sauna improves people's cleanliness and clears their minds.

Another practice that a person can find intriguing and exciting involves the Norwegian Friluftsliv, which refers to outdoor life. The word relates to humans' connections with nature. Health and wellness practice involves sightseeing and appreciating the environment to gain better happiness. The plan consists of organizing a camping excursion with friends to explore life. Enjoy the feel of the outdoor campsite with associates and contemplate regular camping trips. Besides, the planners must ensure environmental conservation.

In Japan, Inemuri or Power Naps helps people relax and destress. The health and wellness practice entails closing eyes to take a breather for an instant after an exhaustive day. Inemuri does not involve full-time sleep, but an intermediate state similar to daydreaming. The citizens of Japan view the practice as respectful since it indicates that the individual has toiled as hard as they conceivably could manage (Parcia and Emeliza, p.78). The method involves taking a breather and closing eyes whenever you feel worn-out during the week. Implementing the sense of sleep and sanctioning oneself an instant of peace helps in clearing the mind and enhances vitality. It is necessary to set the alarm to avoid falling asleep at work or in public places.

Iceland is a country with an exceptional combination of glaciers and active volcanic eruptions hence referred to as the nation of fire and ice. The geothermal activities within the land heat some water bodies producing natural hot springs. The hot springs have health and wellness benefits that help in the treatment of health disorders, such as acne, aging, and pain (Sterling et al., pp. 1798-1806). Furthermore, the hot springs improve endorphins and enhance blood circulation. Finding a natural hot spring within your habitat or create a hot bath enriched with natural minerals. The practice increases the functions of the body and improves skincare.

South Americans developed Yerba Mate Tea, an herbal tea prepared from the leaves of the llex paraguariensis plant. Most people use Mate Tea instead of coffee since it has several medicinal benefits. The Yerba Mate has supplement antioxidants, enhances physical performance, increases energy, and guards against contagions (Parcia and Emeliza, p.78). Besides, Mate Tea helps in weight loss and strengthens the immune system. The program involves regular incorporation of Mate Tea during morning breakfast instead of coffee. The Mate Tea has caffeine hence not recommended for people with allergic reactions to caffeine.

Tibetan singing bowls refers to another health and wellness practice. The Tibetan singing bowls entail pots used for sound healing. The containers generate sound energy that can heal depression, stress disorders, pain, and other types of discomfort. The acoustic waves from the sound reverberate with a person's inspirations and harmonize to produce a sense of peace (Sterling et al., pp. 1798-1806). Music also provides the same effect as the Tibetan singing bowls. Generating a playlist that echoes well with an individual builds a pleasurable feeling that boosts spirits. The program involves listening to the playlist whenever a person feels worn-out.

In Sweden, a coffee break called Fika helps people relax and appreciate the right effects in life. The practice allows people to destress and enjoy more peace and contentment. The program involves relaxing and enjoying coffee or tea moments with a perfect delicacy (Sterling et al., pp. 1798-1806). Nigerians and South Africans, on the other hand, practice Ubuntu that entails a system of life that involves respecting and treating others with honor. The program originates from a communal and family sense of life that dictates the interdependence of human nature. The wellness practice involves the ability to share, hospitality, fairness, truthfulness, and caring, among other virtues.

Conclusion

There exist many practices around the world that create a sense of happiness and wellness. It is essential to embrace the togetherness of having people around us that provides support. The need to appreciate people around us by sharing these health and wellness practices from other cultures enhances our mental and physical wellbeing. Besides, wellbeing and health practices that borrow from different cultures across the globe help boost morale and energy levels, which increases the ability to perform well at work. These practices also improve the treatment of various medical disorders.

Works Cited

Bressington, Daniel, et al. "Feasibility of a group-based laughter yoga intervention as an adjunctive treatment for residual symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in people with depression." Journal of affective disorders 248 (2019): 42-51. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032718328805

Hansen, Margaret M., Reo Jones, and Kirsten Tocchini. "Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and nature therapy: A state-of-the-art review." International journal of environmental research and public health 14.8 (2017): 851. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/14/8/851

Meany-Walen, Kristin K., et al. "Play therapists' perceptions of wellness and self-care practices." International Journal of Play Therapy 27.3 (2018): 176. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-28117-006

Parcia, Robert Oton, and Emeliza Torrento Estimo. "Employees' financial literacy, behavior, stress and wellness." Journal of Human Resource Management 5.5 (2017): 78. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/0370/eaf3fe7f03cf0254df6ad222b519ce7e67e2.pdf

Sterling, Eleanor J., et al. "Biocultural approaches to well-being and sustainability indicators across scales." Nature ecology & evolution 1.12 (2017): 1798-1806. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-017-0349-6