Try these Japanese techniques to overcome stress
While some stress is normal and even necessary to get through our lives, too much stress can interfere with daily tasks and negatively impact our relationships and health. Thankfully, many ancient healing systems, including the ones from Japan, have put forward some quick and effective techniques that can help you overcome anxiety and overthinking, which are two major causes of stress and vice versa.
Jin Shin Jutsu
Jin Shin Jyutsu is a healing art that promotes the body's natural energy flow. The last word is pronounced "jitsu." It operates under the tenet that an obstruction in the flow of energy is the root cause of all mental, physical, and emotional illnesses. It is easy, effective, and doesn't require any painstaking effort. Check out the steps below.
How to practice this technique
Hold your thumb for worry and your index finger for fear. When you're angry, hold the middle finger; when you're sad, hold the ring finger. Holding your little finger down will boost energy. Press a specific finger for five minutes at a time while practicing.
Shoganai
Shoganai means "it can't be helped" in English. It's about accepting what is out of our control with awareness rather than giving up. The mental grip relaxes when we realize that obsessing over the past or worrying about the future won't change anything. Rather than getting lost in the "what ifs," we should concentrate on the here and now, our choices, and our attitudes.
Shirin-yoku
Reconnecting with the grounding energy of nature and disengaging from digital noise is possible through shirin-yoku, or forest bathing. Research indicates that being around trees lowers stress hormones, improves mood, and fosters more peace. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture defines it as "entering and absorbing the atmosphere of the forest." Enjoy the fresh air and tranquility whispered by the rustling leaves.
Gaman
The word Gaman means "endurance" or "perseverance." It's about overcoming obstacles with tenacity and resiliency. Stress can be seen as a challenge to be met with composure and determination rather than as an enemy to be vanquished. By enabling us to recognize our thought patterns without giving in to them, Gaman helps us build the inner fortitude necessary to weather life's inevitable storms.
