Explore timeless wellness rituals from around the world—like forest bathing in Japan, cold therapy in Scandinavia, gua sha in China, and Jamu in Indonesia. Discover how these ancient practices inspire modern self-care.

What Global Rituals Teach Us About Wellness

Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all—and that’s what makes it so powerful. Across cultures, people have nurtured body and spirit through rituals rooted in nature, tradition, and intentionality.

While tech trends come and go (looking at you, infrared face masks and mushroom gummies), the ancient ways are still here. Sometimes, they even resurface, just like cold therapy got a Gen Z remix via the ice bucket challenge 2.0.

At Good Jamu, we’re obsessed with these traditions. They’re not just soothing, they’re full of meaning. From icy plunges in Nordic waters to forest walks in Japan, these are the rituals that teach us how to slow down and reconnect.

Scandinavian Cold Therapy: Icy Plunges, Warm Benefits

In Nordic countries, cold exposure is more than a wellness hack, it’s a cultural mainstay. Ice baths, cold plunges, and sauna-cold rotations have been used for centuries to:

• Improve circulation

• Reduce inflammation

• Stimulate endorphin release

• Boost mental clarity and resilience

While Western wellness just discovered the thrill of the cold plunge, Scandinavia’s been chilling for generations. Bonus: the viral “cold therapy challenge” trend is making a whole new audience fall in love with this ancient biohack

Forest Bathing and Matcha: Japan’s Mindful Rituals

In Japan, wellness means syncing with nature. Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” invites you to immerse yourself in the forest’s quiet wisdom. No actual bathing just walking, listening, breathing, and being.

Proven benefits of forest bathing include:

• Lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels

• Enhanced immunity

• Boosted creativity and mental clarity

And if you’d rather stay inside? The ritual of preparing matcha sifting, whisking, and sipping offers a meditative moment. Rich in antioxidants and tradition, matcha is both grounding and energizing.

Gua Sha: Beauty Meets Wellness in Chinese Ritual

In China, gua sha is more than just a TikTok beauty trend, it’s a centuries-old practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Using smooth stones like jade or rose quartz, gentle strokes along the skin help:

• Stimulate circulation

• Relieve tension

• Promote lymphatic drainage

• Sculpt and soothe the face naturally

Gua sha is a perfect example of an ancient ritual that’s gone viral for a reason: it works, and it invites a moment of mindfulness in your skincare routine.

Jamu: Indonesia’s Golden Elixir

Let’s head to Indonesia, where one of the world’s most vibrant wellness traditions is brewed: Jamu.

Made from healing herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, tamarind, and lemongrass, Jamu is a golden-hued drink that supports immunity, digestion, and vitality.

More than a health tonic, Jamu is a ritual of resilience, beauty, and balance often prepared by women and passed down through generations.

At Good Jamu, we’re proud to honor this tradition with modern blends designed for today’s busy lives, bottled wellness inspired by centuries of wisdom.

What ties all these rituals together isn’t just their long history but their intention. Whether it’s a forest walk, a cup of herbal tea, a facial massage, or a freezing plunge, these practices ask us to slow down and be with ourselves. And in that pause, we allow ourselves to heal. 

So maybe wellness isn’t about the next best thing. Maybe it’s about remembering the best things we already have. And that’s exactly what Good Jamu is here to bottle a little piece of ancient wisdom, for your modern ritual.

Ready to embrace your own wellness ritual? We’re here to cheer you on every herbal step of the way. Cheers to good health and good Jamu!

Start your wellness journey with Good Jamu—crafted with care, rooted in tradition, and made for your everyday flow.
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- written by Devika Gupta