As the end of the year approaches, we are feeling busier than usual.

To keep running in our busy days, we need to stop and catch our breath, stretch a bit, or take some action to take care of ourselves. It is necessary to take action to take care of yourself. This issue of the Journal is about how to take such a break (i.e., HAA time).

Night. How do you spend this time, which is ideal for resting your body and mind?

Even if you want to rest, I am sure that many of you are busy at night, doing unfinished tasks, preparing for the next day, and so on.

That's why we hope this journal will help you to think about how you spend your evenings.

The essence of Touji for your daily night routine

Many people may think of "Touji" when they hear the word "rest.
Touji is the ultimate form of "self-pampering," a method of curing illness and restoring health by bathing in hot springs.

We believe that if we could incorporate the essence of this "Touji" into our daily lives,
our days would become kinder and healthier.

The four elements of Touji in HAA's opinion are [bathing, eating, resting and sleeping].

Even if it is difficult to visit a hot spring resort, you may be able to successfully circulate these four in your daily life.
What we are going to introduce here are some ideas and hints for doing so.
I hope you will take some time to apply them to your own daily life and think about yourself.

[Bathing] Good day. Bath time to work on yourself
.

HAA created the HAA for bath series to incorporate hot spring cures into everyday life.
Because they use yunohana, the crystals of hot spring water, you can feel its benefits in your own bath at home.

Furthermore, bathing has a positive effect on sleep.
The trick is to soak in 40°C water for 15 minutes about 90 minutes before going to sleep.

The reason for taking a bath 90 minutes before sleep is to create a natural cycle of sleepiness.
The human body has a mechanism to feel sleepy when the temperature deep inside the body drops.
Taking a bath temporarily raises the body temperature, and then as the body temperature slowly lowers, the body becomes sleepy and is able to fall asleep smoothly.

Cold winter nights.

Taking a warm bath to condition your body and mind is an essential nighttime routine for the coming season.

Next, let's look at meals. In terms of taking care of yourself, we recommend that you eat a gentle meal that is not hard on your body.

Avoid fatty foods, extremely hot or cold foods, and foods with strong flavors and spices.
It is also better to avoid caffeinated drinks and foods (Japanese tea, coffee, tea, cola, chocolate), which tend to make it difficult to fall asleep.
Alcohol helps you fall asleep, but tends to make it easier to get up in the middle of the night and harder to stay awake.

So what should we eat?

In Kannawa Onsen, where the culture of hot-spring cures is deeply rooted, there is a steamed dish called "jigoku-mushi. You can make this healthy, wholesome, and delicious steamed dish at home.

All you have to do is put your favorite ingredients in a steamer or steaming basket and steam them. It is very easy to make, so please try it on days when you feel tired.

Long winter nights. It is easy to spend them watching your phone or TV. ...... Too much exposure to the light of LCD screens is said to cause the brain to perceive it as daytime, making it easier to fall asleep.

A digital detox is to distance yourself from digital devices such as smartphones, televisions, and computers.

Don't look at them for 30 minutes before you go to sleep.

Let's not bring our smartphones into the bedroom.

You can start with a method that fits your own way of thinking and lifestyle.

And finally, sleep well and deeply.
Once you have set up your bedroom in a comfortable condition, get under the covers and take a big deep breath.
Breathing deeply activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and the brain naturally enters sleep mode.
A good night's sleep is the best thing you can do for yourself.
Get a good night's sleep and start your day with a good feeling the next morning. It would be good if you could make such a cycle a habit.

Tomorrow's energy is filled at night.

In order to work hard every day, we need plenty of rest.

The night routine we introduced here is just one idea in how to rest.

How do you rest?

What is a comfortable way to rest for you?

While experimenting with different ways, please find the HAA time that deepens your "haha" and breathing.