Self-care trends from around the world, from Nelson Mandela’s one-people philosophy to cow cuddling and taking a hay bath
- It’s been a tough and stressful year for many of us, and we are all in need of some care and attention
- People around the world have different ways to lift themselves and boost well-being and here are six self-care trends
Given the year we’ve all had, we’re all in need of some tender loving self care. Travel is still off limits for many of us, but here are some less common ways to lift your spirit and your health from around the world to consider adding to your bucket list – or trying yourself at home, if you can.
1. Cow cuddling – or “koeknuffelen”
The practice involves touring a farm before cuddling up against a cow or two, hugging them, letting them lick you, even giving a cow a back massage or a good brushing. Depending on the farm, it may extend to other animals, including llamas, goats and sheep.
Leeron Zion, a holistic health and wellness coach in Hong Kong, explains that cuddling an animal “increases happiness and reduces stress by elevating serotonin and dopamine levels”. Koeknuffelen is also thought to increase humans’ oxytocin levels – the social bonding hormone – and the cow’s slow heart rate and higher body temperature can prove calming.