We know you're stressed. If it's any comfort, our friends around the world
are juggling a lot now, too. "What constitutes stress is not having the time or
help to meet demands in your life, whether you're in Texas or Taiwan," says
Alice Domar, PhD, executive director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health in
Boston. You knew that, but you might not be aware of stress relief
tactics—centuries-old practices, in some cases—that women in foreign locales
rely on. And not one involves lavender
candles. France "When I come home from a stressful day, I relax with a petit aperitif—the
French ceremony of having a small glass of wine with a side of cashew nuts or
pita chips with hummus and olives. Then I'm ready to cook dinner!" —Ingrid
Jackel, CEO of Physicians Formula;
Toulouse What you can do: "Wine is a relaxant, that's true, but more important is
having a ritual to separate the chaos of work from the comfort of home," Domar
says. Any ritual you look forward to will do the trick, whether you wash up and
change into sweats or zone out with a game of Words with
Friends. Russia "Russians go to the banya, a hot sauna, and since moving here I do that, too.
The daily stress level is high and work is constant. Just sitting in the extreme
heat to sweat is a miracle invention to salve the soul." —Amanda Lynn Hinson,
35, writer;
Khabarovsk What you can do: Hit the shower—and make it a warm one. Just a few minutes
can wash away tension, and it's not just the feel of pulsating water on your
skin: Research from Yale University indicates that the enveloping warmth you get
from a hot shower can trigger brain and body responses that mirror emotional
warmth, boosting your mood. Just get out after 10 minutes to avoid drying
skin. Sweden "In Sweden we enjoy fika, taking a coffee break with friends. It's been a
part of our culture since the 1700s. In many companies, people take fika breaks
around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; they head to a café for lattes, tea, or smoothies
with a cinnamon roll, muffin, or macaron. Fika has something very friendly and
peaceful about it." —Sarah Melin, 42, manager at a TV production company;
Stockholm What you can do: Program a break reminder into your smartphone, heed the
beeps, and grab a friend for coffee in the office kitchen. Don't feel guilty for
slacking off; in a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study, people who got
up to socialize during the work day ended up being 10 to 15 percent more
productive than those who
didn't. Thailand "Massage is a science here. It's often vigorous, with knees and elbows
applying pressure, and much stress reduction." —Pam Sangsingkeo, 39, university
lecturer; Bangkok What you can do: Knead the nape of your neck and the surrounding area.
"Stimulating pressure receptors releases serotonin, a natural antidepressant,"
says Tiffany Field, PhD, director of the Touch Research Institute at the
University of Miami. Better yet: Get your partner to do
it. Argentina "People drink maté, a hot herbal drink, passing it around a circle of friends
like a peace pipe. It makes me feel connected and strong, able to face down any
stress." —Desirée Jaimovich, 35, journalist; Buenos
Aires What you can do: Forget social media; try social eating. Sharing food
releases a surge of calming oxytocin, Belgian research shows. Notes
anthropologist Michael Gurven, PhD, of the University of California–Santa
Barbara: "Bonding over communal eats says, 'You're a valued part of my
network.'" Skip the communal tea during flu season; think a pot of melted
chocolate for
S'mores. Ireland "In the cold-weather months, it's not just a matter of bundling up our kids
to get outside for fresh air—you always find adults taking winter walks. It
revives my brain and energizes me." —Phoebe Holmes, 40, blogger;
Dublin What you can do: Head outside for a brisk stroll. In a 2012 University of
Maryland School of Public Health study, people who rode a stationary bike for 30
minutes and then saw disturbing photographs (including images of violence) were
less anxious than people who sat quietly before viewing the
photos. Exercise not only reduces anxiety, but helps you maintain that feeling when
confronted with distressing events. During the colder months, with less
mood-boosting natural light around, it's especially helpful to get
outside. China "Women do a foot soak called zu yu before bed. I put hot water in a big pot
and sit on my sofa as I read a book or surf my Weibo, Chinese Twitter. Sometimes
I lean back and fall asleep, it's so relaxing." —Frances Wu, 37, office clerk;
Shanghai What you can do: Soothe your feet with this remedy of Red Door Spa: Dunk feet
up to the ankles in hot water in a plastic bin or the tub, adding a handful of
Epsom salts and 2 spoonfuls of baking soda. "After 15 minutes, swelling goes
down and circulation improves. It's amazingly relaxing. India "Every morning, I do a laughter exercise—I smile, wave my hands, and jump.
The more I do it, the more vital I feel." —Rashmi Vyas Aparajit, 45, health
program director; Mumbai What you can do: Yuk it up! The contracting stomach muscles trigger a surge
of feel-good endorphins, according to a study from Oxford University. Even a
couple of minutes of belly laughter can be calming—a good reminder to tape your
favorite late-night show and actually watch
it. Denmark "It gets dark at 3:30 p.m. in the winter here, so Danes have gotten good at
creating hygge, or 'cozy.' We come and go casually to each others' houses on
evenings and weekends. It's about being happy at home with no one rushing to go
anywhere." —Mette Borring, 48, finance executive;
Copenhagen What you can do: It's very simple, but key: Invite friends over and don't
fuss too much. "If we worry about inviting people to the perfect party, the task
seems overwhelming. So I lower the bar to a manageable level. I had a holiday
party that was dessert and drinks—so much easier than serving dinner, and very
festive!" |
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