Meditate
Even if you only have a few minutes, allowing yourself to step away mentally from the task at hand that is causing you stress can help you recenter your mind. Sitting meditation, or zazen, is a type of meditation in Japan meant to bring peace of mind. According to Ito-san, our Global Wellness Mentor at Tatcha, “zazen is about awareness—it is about the harmony between the outerworld and your body.” To practice zazen, find a comfortable seated position with your back straight, and close your eyes. Ito-san suggests thinking through the practice like this: “Shift your attention from yourself to your surroundings. Once you are there, gradually shift your attention to your body. Then, once you are in that state, review yourself as if you are looking at yourself from a distance. The key is not to push yourself too hard.”
Exercise
Did you know that exercise can suppress hormones that cause stress and anxiety? Taking just a few minutes to move your body can help release endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine—neurotransmitters known to trigger happy thinking in your brain. Anything from a walk around the block to a few jumping jacks to a full yoga flow can have a positive effect on your mood. The Japanese have the term sanpo, which is specifically used for taking a meaningful walk, such as for leisure or to clear your mind.
Engage your sense of smell
In Japan, kodo, which directly translates to “way of fragrance” and can be understood as an appreciation of incense, is a classical art perfected by geisha. This practice involves smoldering incense or fragrant wood with coals on a plate, and “listening” to the smoldering material—or allowing your nasal passages, heart and mind to open up to its presence—to determine its origin. Because of the strong tie between your olfactory senses and your memory, it is believed the scent given off by these materials can transport you elsewhere on the spiritual plane. The specific practice of kodo is believed to create a feeling of harmony even under stress, promote alertness, heal feelings of loneliness and purify the mind and body.
If you don’t have incense or fragrant wood on hand, you could even do something as simple as brew a cup of tea. Known as ocha in Japan, when you slow down and focus specifically on each step in the act of making a cup of tea—take in its scent, listen to the sound of water boiling, watch the tea change the color of the water—you can reset your mood.
Cleanse your body
Purification of all kinds is highly regarded in Japanese culture. Even with something as simple as taking a shower, you can feel the positive effect any kind of cleansing has on your mood. Bathing culture is very popular in Japan, from the communal hot spring onsens to private and public ohuro bath rituals. If you have the time and supplies, a yuzuyu, or a bath full of winter citrus fruit, is known for its cleansing and healing properties. It is believed that partaking in a yuzu bath on the evening of the winter solstice can keep one from catching a cold and can ward off any bad spirits.
Clean your space
A cluttered space provides an easy distraction for your mind. When you physically remove the clutter from your area, it can also help clear the clutter in your mind. Not only does cleaning your space give you a sense of accomplishment, but it removes one thing standing in your way of doing something you really enjoy. Before each new year in Japan everyone partakes in a big cleaning known as o-souji. This act of deep cleaning, tidying, and organizing celebrates the fresh start presented by the coming year. While o-souji occurs in December, you can experience the mood-lifting benefits of cleaning anytime you want! The physical act of cleaning provides purification for both your space and your mind.
