asialife HCMC 1 - AsiaLIFE Magazine

and get away to Hong Kong or a place that
is opposite of here [to wind down].”
Inevitably, stress takes a toll on one’s
body. Ailments can take the shape of
sleeping disorders, digestive issues, mild to
chronic pains, respiratory problems (brought
on by air pollution) to more serious diseases.
In the good news, despite the seemingly
psychosomatic-related ailments present,
people in Vietnam aren’t popping muscle
relaxants, sleeping pills or pills meant for
psychiatric issues. Dr Kot adds that the
drug manufacturing company for one such
popular drug in the west recalled its product
because there was no market here.
In a world where the number of drugs
being created in the mental health industry
is rising, this is certainly cheer-worthy.
As is peoples’ desire to take time out for
themselves, to care for their minds and
bodies—as evidenced, for example, by more
yoga options in the city. Yoga is a no-brainer
example of slow activity that’s good for your
body and mind. Its meditative aspect discourages
mind-wandering and/or idleness,
which are common side effects of busy lives
dominated by technology or addiction to
social media.
INDULGE
To really pause, indulge in a half-day relaxation package at traditional French day
spa L’Apothiquaire. A welcome pot of their organic herbal tea is served upon arrival,
after which a foot pressure treatment, full body massage and personalised facial is
administered. Visit lapothiquaire.com.
And if you’re looking to loosen knots and ease pain, give the talented Hieu at
Golden Hands Health and Beauty Centre in An Phu a try. Specialising in osteopathy
and Thai massage, Hieu is a trained masseuse with 18 years experience. A half-hour
session goes for 250,000 VND. Visit goldenhandsvn.com.
LISTEN
In an era of bite-sized music downloads and MP3 players, listening to music has
become mostly a soundtrack for us while we do other things. When was the last
time you actually sat down and listened to an entire album Just listened Take the
chance to reacquaint yourself with the mind-boggling inventiveness of Sgt. Pepper’s,
the majestic soundscapes of Dark Side of the Moon, or the restless energy of Exile on
Main Street. Dig out your old CDs (if you still have them; or better yet, the vinyl), sit in
the beanbag, plug in the earphones and enjoy.
Yoga Living
Michelle Lloyd has been teaching yoga for
three years and talks about its therapeutic
values and how this ancient, gentle exercise,
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