China News Service, Changsha, February 13th: Using the holidays to relieve stress and "spiritual healing" is popular among young people
Author Liu Man Li Ying Mao Yuqing
During the Spring Festival holiday, You Xiezhen, who returned to his hometown from Shenzhen for the New Year, chose to gather with his sisters at a Fangcao essential oil massage parlor. "The environment is comfortable and private, and the aroma of essential oils permeates the whole room. It feels very relaxing while chatting."
At a singing bowl sound therapy center in Kaifu District, Changsha City, singing bowl sound therapist Wei Qinghong clearly felt that the number of customers increased with the arrival of the Spring Festival holiday. When he is working, he will first introduce the nearly 20 large and small bowls surrounding him to his customers and lead them to do body rhythms.
In February, consumers experienced singing bowl therapy at a singing bowl sound therapy center in Kaifu District, Changsha City. Photo by Li Ying
After everyone slowly lay down, covered themselves with quilts, and put on eye masks, Wei Qinghong slowly rubbed and tapped the bowl body with a hammer. With bursts of steady and long "buzzing" sound, the customer gradually falls into sleep. He said that most of the young customers came to experience it.
The "China Sleep Research Report 2023" published by Social Science Literature Press shows that 38.2% of China's insomniac people have insomnia, among which first-tier cities have the worst sleep quality. Nearly 70% of the respondents said that insomnia is mainly due to stress.
Falling asleep to the sound of banging copper bowls, inhaling the aroma to soothe anxiety, and enjoying the tranquility brought by solitude... Singing bowls, aromatherapy, meditation, etc. are gradually becoming popular among young people. Data from a certain platform show that since 2023, the search volume for the "healing" keyword has increased by 256%.
Reporters saw on the streets of Changsha that many spas, beauty salons and other mature businesses have healing as a special feature. They are open during the Spring Festival and are very popular. Some boutiques specializing in singing bowls, aromatherapy and other items have also become the "spiritual guardianship" choice of some young consumers.
Although the aromatherapy teahouse opened by aromatherapist He Yaling in Changsha only resumed business on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, many customers have already consulted and communicated on WeChat about customizing scented essential oils.
"The aroma of plant essential oils can bring people olfactory enjoyment and relax their originally tense nerves." Before the service begins, He Yaling will ask customers in detail about the reasons for their recent stress. The scented essential oil specially blended by her can sell hundreds of bottles a week.
In February, a "meditation concert" was held in Changsha, Hunan. Photo by Li Ying
Optimistic about the development of the aromatherapy industry, He Yaling is cooperating with a psychological studio and plans to use a "psychological counselor + aromatherapist" combination to provide consumers with more comfortable "spiritual healing."
Complete a set of Ba Duan Jin, sit on the floor, close your eyes and meditate along with soft music... Such a meditation concert is held every weekend in the most prosperous business district of Changsha City.
Ali, the organizer of the concert, has been working in the music industry for many years. He found that young people no longer blindly pursue dynamics and sound, but increasingly enjoy the relaxing concert format, so he tried to incorporate new elements such as Baduanjin and meditation. Get involved.
Liu Xiaorong, a college student born after 2000, saw the "Meditation Concert" from social media and attended it. Not only did she experience a novel concert that could "daze" her, but she also made many new friends. The ticket price of about 100 yuan made her feel Excellent value for money.
Deng Yihui, dean of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said that young people usually have a lot of work pressure, have a strong heart, and think too much, which leads to emotional discomfort, insufficient heart and spleen, and poor circulation of qi and blood, leading to various problems such as sleep disorders. For this problem, practicing aromatherapy, meditation, etc. appropriately in your spare time is beneficial to the body and mind, but you must also practice scientifically and don't be overly obsessed. (over)