Laura Halls of the BBC suggests borrowing seven global wellness traditions for the new year, including practices like drinking herbal tonics in Indonesia and doing towel rubdowns in Japan.
Halls notes that loneliness and burnout are among the most common chronic problems in the U.S., and that physicians are increasingly recommending ancient practices, such as travel and cultural traditions. Examples include Spain’s post-meal conversations and Italy’s evening strolls, which highlight the importance of routine and community in promoting health.
In the article, Halls highlights seven global wellness traditions, which are concisely summarized below using AI writing tools:
- Fighting off colds with kanpu masatsu in Japan: Kanpu masatsu (meaning “dry towel friction”) is a traditional Japanese practice that involves massaging the skin with a dry towel in slow, steady circles for five to 10 minutes. The technique, often used during cold weather, is meant to generate warmth and stimulate circulation. It is also believed to promote good health and help ward off illness by supporting the immune system.
- Strengthening social bonds with sobremesa in Spain and Latin America: Sobremesa, which means “upon the table” in Spanish, is a tradition of relaxing at the table after a meal to chat, share ideas, and enjoy coffee or drinks without watching the clock. This practice is believed to extend time together, deepen conversation and reflection, and strengthen social bonds and emotional well-being. Learn more about this practice here.
- Stay in balance with dinacharya in India: Dinacharya, which means “daily routine” in Sanskrit, is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that promotes a healthy daily rhythm to maintain balance and harmony. It encourages a calm mind and emotional stability through consistent habits such as rising early, drinking a glass of warm water with lemon, elimination, hygiene, massage, exercise, bathing, meditation and prayer, meals, study, work, relaxation and sleeping. Learn more about this practice here.
- Stay healthy with kimchi in Korea: During winter, North Koreans follow a UNESCO-recognized cultural tradition known as gimjang, in which communities gather to prepare and preserve kimchi. Kimchi is a side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables such as cabbage and radish, adding a juicy, sour, and spicy crispness to meals. Beyond its cultural significance, kimchi is also considered a health booster, as fermented foods are linked to improved gut health. Read more about it here.
- Embracing the outdoors with friluftsliv in Nordic countries: Friluftsliv, is a Nordic philosophy and Scandinavian lifestyle that translates to “fresh air life.” It emphasizes spending time outdoors in all seasons and connecting with nature, even during the long, low-light winter months. This approach encourages outdoor activities in all seasons—such as skiing, hiking, and cold-water swimming—to improve mood, reduce stress, and help people thrive during the darker months. Read more about this tradition here.
- Boosting daily health with jamu in Indonesia: Jamu, an Indonesian tradition that promotes a herbal medicine made from natural materials such as honey, royal jelly, milk, roots, bark, flowers, seeds, leaves and fruits. This herbal has been consumed since the 8th Century for its immune-boosting properties. Made from ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and tamarind, it is a piece of Indonesian cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. Read more about it here.
- Slowing down with the passeggiata from Italy: Passeggiata is an Italian tradition of taking an evening stroll around town, often after dinner. This gentle, low-impact walk offers numerous benefits, including physical activity, community bonding, and stress relief. It’s a simple practice that can be easily adopted anywhere.
Indonesians have been drinking a Zingy herbal tonic called jamu since the 8th Century. Originally thought to be from Java, the drink has hundreds of variations and occupies a space between food, tradition and folk remedy. Ingredients include turmeric, ginger and tamarind, which are pulverised into a thick paste and mixed with water.
– From BBC
Around the world, simple daily rituals, from Japan’s kanpu masatsu dry-towel massage and Spain’s post-meal sobremesa, to Italy’s passeggiata evening stroll and Nordic friluftsliv outdoor lifestyle, promote wellness, community, and balance. These practices show how small, mindful habits can boost both physical health and emotional well-being.
Acknowledgement: This summary was generated using AI writing tools as part of my experimental learning process. For more information, please refer to the original articles listed below.