How Korean Wellness Can Heal Your Mind, Body And Soul

The Korean Wave has brought us K-pop and K-dramas, and over the past decade, we have also seen the global influence of Korean beauty (10-step Korean skincare routine).  The country that brought sheet masks to the world takes it a step further with K-wellness, with a focus on health from the inside out.  There are four major wellness themes in Korea – Beauty and Spa, Korean Traditional Medicine, Nature and Forest, and Healing and Meditation.

Whether you want to go for a relaxing spa experience, explore ancient wisdom embodied by traditional medicine, immerse yourself in a lush green forest, or recharge with meditation, you can plan your reenergizing trip to Korea.

BEAUTY AND SPA

Korean cosmetics and beauty habits are gaining attention all over the world. The true value of K-beauty lies in the skincare lines that are more refined than in any other country, to unique, high-quality cosmetic products with great cost-effectiveness and special ingredients. ‘Made in Korea’ traditional Korean medicine cosmetics use ingredients that don’t cause irritation, that fundamentally heals the skin and aids it with regenerative energy.  Additionally, the fragrance of traditional Korean medicine decreases stress and stabilizes body and soul with an aromatherapy effect.  It also uses edible raw materials derived from nature instead of chemical components.

Sulwhasoo is a Korean beauty brand inspired by Korean herbal medicine ingredients to create a range of products and experiences to heal the mind and body. The Sulwhasoo Flagship Store in Seoul has two luxurious spas offering anti-ageing traditional Korean medicine spa programs. Special treatments made with traditional Korean ingredients such as jade, amber, white porcelain enrich the spa effect. It also reinterprets traditional Korean medicine to resurrect the balance of body and mind and recharge to combat the hectic pace of everyday life.

Spa Land Centum City in Busan is a huge spa facility that uses hot spring water, with calcium and sodium chlorides, which is pulled up from a thousand meters underground as well as hot spring water that is close to seawater in its 18 different hot springs and 13 theme spas. Because of its huge size, it takes quite some time to fully explore Spa Land. Spa Land consists of a hot spring bath and Korean-style spas, theme saunas, a restaurant and café. Spa Land will refresh your energy and time will disappear during this relaxing experience.

KOREAN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Traditional Korean medicine contains Korea’s unique medical knowledge and wisdom. From places that serve traditional Korean medicine tea that is full of medicinal scents to ones that offer relaxing footbaths and others where visitors get to create cosmetic products with traditional Korean medicine components, find a traditional Korean medicinal wellness program that matches you.

Korean teas are enjoyed for not only their taste but also for their medicinal properties and health benefits.  At Tea Therapy, a tea house near the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, you can try traditional teas tailored to suit customers’ specific requirements.  The simple test at Tea Therapy will identify the tea to suit guests’ unique requirements, with different tea types depending on physical makeup and digestion.  Tea Therapy’s Haengnang Branch in Jongno is located in a part of the restored birth house of Yun Posun (President of Korea from 1960-1962) and is identified as an important cultural asset.  There is a café, tea classes and special footbaths to relieve stress, headaches or improve circulation.

Donguibogam Village (Oriental Medicine Theme Park) in Sancheong provides various anti-ageing experience programs that use traditional Korean medicine essence. Skylake in Daegu is a cosmetic café where visitors can make cosmetic products based on traditional Korean medicine.

NATURE AND FOREST

The healing power of forests and nature is ideal for mindfulness, meditation and exercise. Forests are the perfect relief for stress and a way to escape technology, allowing you to be at one with nature.  Forest bathing involves slowly walking through a forest taking in the atmosphere through all five senses.

Research on the healing powers of nature has shown a variety of benefits for physical, mental, and social health. It provides an easy and effective way to avoid stress, anxiety, burnout and depression. Connecting with nature boosts the body’s immunity, energy levels and ability to heal. It can also improve mood, sleep, memory and focus. Nature is also thought to have a soothing influence on relationships and emotional well-being.

Busan’s Healing Forest is ideal for forest bathing and healing nature walks – activities that enhance the immunization of the human body. Forest play programs include tea-drinking, meditation spaces, forest bath stretches, viewing the sky through the leaves and barefoot walking.

HEALING AND MEDITATION

There are a number of properties throughout Korea that focus on wellness and offer a range of programs designed around nutrition, meditation, exercise and relaxation.  The healing programs are designed to put in place healthy habits to improve overall lifestyle and to combat the effects of stress, busy lifestyles and technology.

Healience Seonmaeul (Zen Village), located on a 250m-high hill on Jongjasan in Hongcheon, was established by a natural medicine scientist. Healience Seonmaeul provides a wide array of programs that enable people across generations to develop four essential habits and learn how to stay healthy. From multi-themed programs such as a detox session for improving your self-healing ability, a therapy session for relieving stress and a meditation session for self-reflection – you can choose whatever suits your specific requirements.

The Hanwha Resort Geoje Belvedere Wellness program follows the ‘3R’ system. Refresh your body, relax your mind and reset your lifestyle. The water workouts at the infinity pool are a must.

For more information on K-wellness go to http://wellnessvr.visitmedicalkorea.com/en/main