The importance of taking care of your health cannot be underestimated. Around the world, people have come up with lots of different ways for doing just that. Let’s explore six healthy practices from around the world and a few tips on how you can incorporate them into your daily life.  

Laughter yoga – India 

You’ve probably heard about yoga, but have you heard about laughter yoga?

This practice combines breathing exercises with forced laughter. Apparently, it can strengthen immune functions, bring more oxygen to the body and brain, and give an improved sense of happiness.

Though it should go without saying that you might get some strange looks if you practice it around campus.

How to practice laughter yoga

Look for classes around Dublin, such as this yoga studio that specialises in laughter yoga in Dublin. You can join the Yoga Society classes for normal yoga.

If yoga is not your strength, you should aim to incorporate more laughter into your daily life. Try laughing at yourself in front of the mirror or talk to friends that make you laugh.  

Inemuri or power naps – Japan

If you have ever found yourself struggling to keep your eyes open during a lecture, you will like this healthy practice.

In Japan, people have embraced the practice of closing their eyes just for a moment to rest. This is not a full state of sleep, but rather an in-between stage like daydreaming.

In Japan, it is seen as respectful because it shows the person has worked as hard as they could.  

How to practice Inemuri

If you feel tired throughout the day, rest your eyes for a while or allow yourself 20 minutes, or as much as you need, for a power nap. Also, try to practice healthy sleeping habits and try to get at least seven hours of sleep every night.

Fika – Sweden 

Fika is often translated as a ‘coffee and cake break‘, but is much more than that. It’s about making time to enjoy a cup of coffee with your friends or colleagues.

It is a very important part of Swedish culture – even the Volvo plant stops for fika! This pause refreshes the brain while strengthening relationships.  

How to practice Fika

The most important aspect of Fika is to connect with people. If you live with other people, try to arrange a time that suits everyone to have coffee and pastries and some chats.

Tibetan singing bowls – Tibet 

Sound therapy with Tibetan singing bowls is an ancient form of regeneration. Tibetan Singing Bowls produce a sound that can be use for meditation and is also said to relieve symptoms of stress and pain.  

How to practice mindfulness with Tibetan singing bowls

You can look up ‘Tibetan Singing Bowls’ on Youtube for a meditation session. Alternatively, embrace the power of sound therapy. Make a playlist with some relaxing tunes and listen to it whenever you need to disconnect for a while.  

Shinrin Yoku – Japan 

Shrinrin Yoku means ‘forest bathing‘. This is not exercise, or hiking, or jogging. It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through your senses.

Nature therapy has been linked to a number of physiological benefits, as well as neuropsychological benefits.  

How to practice Shrinrin Yoku

Make it a goal to go outside every day. And if you can’t get to a forest, you can go to your nearest park and read a book or do some yoga.  

Ubuntu – South Africa

Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu term that means ‘humanity‘ or ‘I am because we are‘ and also ‘humanity toward others‘.

This term is used to describe a way of living in which you put others above yourself. This sense of family and community comes from the knowledge that we depend on each other to survive.

How to practice Ubuntu

Make it a goal to focus on others and acknowledge the importance of relationships in your life. Find some time to connect with friends or call your family to thank them for everything.   

What other healthy practices around the world have you heard of?

Life at Trinity is about more than just education, with over 170 clubs and societies to choose from, there is something for everyone. Clubs and societies are a great way to meet other students, get involved on campus life, and develop healthy practices for life. Find out more about Trinity’s clubs and societies here.