I have been living and teaching English in South Korea for the last 15 months and though being here has it’s highlights I have definitely had my share of stress! Like everyone, I have dealt with stress and stressful situations before but this is the first time I have encountered this particular kind of stress. I think to understand it you need to be living in another country where you do not understand the language and are unfamiliar with the culture.

When I say “different kind of stress” what I mean is that my job is pretty mellow compared to what I was doing at home, I am essentially on a big adventure while here in Korea and should be enjoying every cultural difference and nuance…that is what I signed up for right? Not to mention, we as expats are getting a pretty good deal in terms of compensation, so why the need to de-stress?

Well, I’m glad you asked! Please say hello to de-stressing tip #1!
One of the great things about Korea is that there is so much to do! You can go to museums and temples, hike up a mountain, eat out at a fancy restaurant, go to one of the biggest fish markets I’ve ever seen, lay out on the beach, play Wii or screen golf in your own private party room and even have tiny fish eat the dead skin off your feet! Not to mention that Korea is lined with fluorescent lights and blinking signs trying to get you to join whatever activity, cause or new sale going on. I don’t know about you but I got tired and worn out just thinking about all of that! It is easy to be on sensory over load here. There’s really no avoiding it and if you don’t take a break to quiet your senses once in a while it will catch up with you causing you to be tired, spacey, and irritable. Take a break at least once a day to sit quietly, even close your eyes if you want and just… be. It’s amazing how re-energizing this can be.

Ok, on that note I’d like to introduce you to tip #2!
Unplug. Just like your senses are on overload while trying to enjoy as much of Korea as possible they can also be on overdrive while you think you are relaxing and giving yourself a break. I spend a good part of my day at work in front of the computer, I leave and arrive at work with an iPod in my ears and when I come at night I love to relax by watching some TV. At some point I wondered why I was so tired because I had been trying to stay in and take it easy. Well, this is why! I thought I was giving myself a break but actually I was just exhausting my senses even further.

So, if you are trying to relax after a long day unplug and instead try out tip # 3!
Get a message or go to a spa! I mentioned earlier that there is a lot to do here and spas and messages just happen to be things that Koreans love so they are everywhere and quite inexpensive!! Water therapy is a quickly growing field and no wonder! Taking a long hot shower or bath re-energizes you and makes you feel refreshed! The human body also needs to be touched and if you are far from family and friends you may be feeling the need for more hugs than usual. Even just a foot message can greatly increase your body’s happiness.

Speaking of friends and family, here is tip #4.
Like E.T. said, “Phone home!” Relationships are a huge part of your overall health and well-being. I have met a lot of great friends here in Korea but sometimes you just need to connect with old friends and family to feel connected again. Take advantage of Skype and Korea’s fast and accessible internet!

If you do call home I am sure your mom will tell you to take care of yourself and eat well. Which is tip #5.
Treat your body right and it will amaze you in the things it can accomplish! Now, by eating well I mean that of course you should indulge in the food in the new country you are in but if you are eating something that you know is not good for you be mindful of each bit and really enjoy it. Then move on. Make sure to take full advantage of the local produce and farmer’s markets here. Buy plenty of fruits and veggies to fuel your day. Try the Asian pears, Korean melons, soybean tea, and add fresh ginger, garlic, chili paste and seaweed to some of your favorite dishes. There are a lot of new and different ingredients here to try out that your body will thank you for instead of causing it to rebel against you.

If you enjoyed this article and want to know more, I am studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a Certified Health Counselor. I work with expats who struggle with stress management, weight loss and living a balanced life abroad. If you would like to talk more about your own personal health goals and what I could do for you I am doing FREE health consults. You can email me at [email protected] for more information or check out my website www.thegoodfoodmood.com