HOW DO HONG KONG PEOPLE DEAL WITH STRESS?

I was last in Hong Kong six years ago and I can tell you that changes are happening quickly, because I hardly recognize the city now. And its inhabitants too? A few years ago there was more British influence here and the city seemed calmer. What is Hong Kong like today? Very interesting modern architecture, luxury shops and a lot of Teslas on the streets, but also... smog, noise, excessive activity of residents and overstimulation. Hong Kong residents suffer from overwork and huge competition in the workplace. They have no prospects for their own apartment (1 m2 in a good location in Hong Kong costs about PLN 100,000), they have no time for friendships and relaxation, they live in constant crowds and noise. The Chinese, and especially those who live in Hong Kong, are very loud, shouting at each other, talking on phones, honking and screaming. I have seen their aggressive behavior more than once. All this makes them one of the most stressed groups in the world, and the suicide rate and mental illness rate there is increasing rapidly. I spoke to Hong Kong residents because I wanted to find out how they cope in such a difficult environment. Here are some of the basic ways Hong Kong residents relieve stress:

ACUPUNCTURE

There are many salons in Hong Kong that offer body needling. Needling equalizes the flow of energy in the body, brings balance to the body, can treat all kinds of neuroses and obsessions. Acupuncture increases blood circulation and tissue oxygenation, reduces heart rate and lowers blood pressure, helps manage stress hormone, releases endorphins and relaxes muscles.

USING ASIAN HERBS

In Chinese medicine, there are hundreds of herbs specifically used to achieve body balance and thus reduce stress. The goal of Chinese medicine is to have the body function in harmony. Stress can be combated with a proper lifestyle, and in extreme cases, you should go to a herbal shop, of which there are many on the streets of Hong Kong. A good herbalist will be able to determine where imbalances occur and will prescribe the appropriate herbal mixture. It is popular to drink valerian or chrysanthemum tea every day and eat the fruit of the common jujube, which has a strengthening effect for people with delicate and sensitive health.

FIRE THERAPY

Fire therapy (huǒ liáo) involves heating larger areas of the body with fire. The procedure involves isolating the skin with a warm, wet towel. An isopropyl alcohol solution diluted with water is spread over the isolated skin, e.g. on the back, a fire is lit for a few seconds, and then extinguished with a warm, wet towel. This procedure draws toxins out of the body and reduces tension in the body.

QIGONG GYMNASTICS

It is a popular exercise that combines meditation with tai chi movements. It is usually done outdoors and slows down the heart rate, relaxes muscles, causes breathing to stop and lowers blood pressure. Regular daily exercise for 5 to 30 minutes can help relieve stress.

MEDITATION

Meditation is a great way to relieve stress. The Chinese have been meditating for thousands of years and it is one of the pillars of their tradition. It helps lower blood pressure and eliminate cardiac arrhythmia, improves sleep quality, relieves headaches and migraines, and reduces chronic pain. If your life is also full of stress, you can try the methods of coping with stress described above. In Poland, you probably won't try fire therapy, but acupuncture is available. I also encourage you to meditate. If you would like to try it, you can learn it, for example, in yoga schools.