Mental Health Takeaways from Eastern Practices
While mental health is a global phenomenon, the stigma surrounding it is undoubtedly more prevalent among Asians. The slightest hints pointing to a mental health irregularity may trigger a sense of shame, especially in households where honour takes utmost precedence. I find it interesting, however, that mental health tips and hacks growing in popularity are actually rooted in our very own culture. Here are some philosophies and practices that I have picked up along my journey both as a mental health advocate and as Asian taking pride in my identity.
Meditation
Key Takeaway: Savor the present moment.
Often misconstrued as a daunting ritual exclusive to enlightened Buddhist monks, meditation is far from just ‘doing nothing.’ I was initially sceptical about the idea of ‘emptying the mind’, but based on experience, meditation actually involves a lot of brainwork. Integral to the experience is attention: to the breath, the body, the environment, and the scenarios we are visualizing. By honing my focus muscle, meditation has helped me become more in tune with myself and the situations I find myself in. This heightened sense of awareness also becomes a precursor to gratitude and kindness. Whenever I find myself in a flurry of dwelling on the past and worrying about the future, grounding myself in the ‘now’ makes me realize just how blessed I am to be alive.
Yoga
Key Takeaway: Find strength and power in grace.
Admittedly, I tried yoga because I wanted a concentration-heavy exercise that didn’t require me to go to a gym. (An environment filled with equipment just overwhelms me and makes me feel insecure.) While yoga was just my regular dose of movement, my relationship with it ultimately shifted as I reaped benefits holistically. As it is approached as a ‘practice,’ teachers instruct us to maintain a beginner’s mindset. Consistency builds flexibility and strength, but that also means finding a new limit to push which can look different daily. I’ve realised that yoga is less about nailing poses. Rather, it is a flow that spotlights how we move through each transition. Taking this to heart, I have grown in my practice to navigate life’s currents with just as much ease.
Tai Chi and Qigong
Key Takeaway: Vitality does not always mean vigour, but energetic harmony.
With a wild season of burnout and anxiety that manifested in a neurological condition, the Asian in me was averse to surgery. So, I turned to my Chinese roots in search of natural remedies and found myself in the world of taichi and qigong. Albeit more low-impact compared to yoga, these exercises similarly emphasize mind-body connection powered by the breath. The Chinese word “qi” (气), which translates to life energy, is the core principle of traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts. Following slow, controlled sequences, taichi and qigong are self-healing practices that promote vitality and longevity. My friends might have laughed at a twenty-something doing “grandma exercises,” but qigong and taichi have solidified my mentality. True strength is being able to act in concert with nature and finding the tools to do so from within.
Tea
Key Takeaway: Slow down and take delight.
Unpopular opinion: I never believed in the power of coffee for productivity. Although I do enjoy a nice cold brew from time to time, my trusted aid has always been tea. Tea is known for its soothing and medicinal benefits, but I discovered a more profound story in the tea experience as a whole. The Way of Tea (cha-do in Japanese), rooted in Zen Buddhism, is anchored on the pillars of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquillity. These four principles are highlighted from preparation to consumption, in hopes of extending the overall attitude of unhurried care and appreciation for simple things to daily life.
Forest Bathing
Key Takeaway: Unplug every once in a while.
Studies have shown that the Japanese art of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) has great benefits for mental health. All you have to do is find a spot in nature (not necessarily a forest, so a park or garden will do), walk around, and take in the scenery. Although it’s not every day I get to hike, I find that going on nature walks with no clear destination is a great way to connect to Mother Earth, who has undoubtedly done so much for us all this time. The mood-restoring atmosphere of greenery is a call to slow down. Being away from the emails, the to-do lists, or social media for a few hours won’t hurt. My problems may still be there, but if I bear nature’s calming embrace with me even after I’ve left, I can at least be in a better headspace.
Wabi-Sabi
Key Takeaway: There is beauty in imperfection and simplicity.
Society has orchestrated a rat race in constant pursuit of ‘bigger,’ ‘better,’ and ‘more.’ In a nutshell, wabi-sabi is the acceptance and appreciation of what is natural – in all its imperfect, impermanent glory. Wabi highlights simplicity, and sabi underscores the passage of time. By marrying these concepts, wabi-sabi as a philosophy encourages us to find beauty and contentment in the natural ebbs and flows of life. This is not to say that we passively accept whatever comes our way. Rather, Wabi-sabi is a reminder that instead of illusory perfection, we chase a type of excellence that makes us feel most like ourselves and enjoy the journey we are on. After all, no narrative would be complete without growing pains and battle scars.
To round up these six tidbits, I leave you with the core impression they left on me: a fruitful life is grounded on calm despite chaos. We all have our own ways of discovering, reaching and maintaining the kind of ‘ease’ that makes the most sense to us. In this adventure, may we discover that the boosters for us to find calm might always be within our reach.