Menstruation has long been stigmatized, surrounded by malignment, misinformation, and misogyny. My own personal journey unfolds across three distinct phases of “menstrual awareness”: the rude shock of my first period, two “pause-button” surprise pregnancies, and now, the ultimate boss level of womanhood: the dreaded menopause. Buckle up, because this phase isn’t whispered about at sleepovers…
Have you ever experienced the indulgence of a Korean massage chair? If not, you don’t know what you’re missing. These chairs offer a massage experience that can only be described as heavenly. Most Korean massage chairs I’ve encountered, often found in the homes of my elderly relatives who struggle with joint and muscle pain, have…
What food is full of nutritional minerals, grows fast without fresh water, doesn’t harm the environment, and is absolutely delicious? If you said seaweed, you are part of a fortunate population of people who know the secrets of this superfood. Koreans have eaten seaweed for over a millennia with the first records being from the…
I’ve been back to Korea dozens of times over the years and have pretty much checked off everything on my bucket list. However this fall, on my list for the first time was the Korean comprehensive health check-up. I was a bit nervous about it, but it ended up being one of the best things I’ve…
Korean Spas Guide: Pampering the Korean Way It’s not just you. Summer days do feel far away. If the cold season seems especially tough this year, do yourself a favor and take a Korean spa day. How are Korean spas different from American spas? Well, a meal at a conventional restaurant or at a Vegas…
Longevity and healthy aging are hot topics these days. The Wall Street Journal recently reported a spike in interest in ice baths while Harvard genetics professor David Sinclair offers a compelling argument for becoming healthier through actions such as calorie restriction, cold therapy, and of course exercise in his bestseller “Lifespan: Why We Age and…
Air Purifiers are the norm in most homes in Korea due to the wildly fluctuating air quality. Many Americans are following suit. As New York City and the entire Northeast US experienced the worst air pollution in recent memory this week due to Canadian wildfires, air purifiers have become as essential as they are in…
One of the interesting things about acupuncture is that it truly is ancient. It was developed from the start by rejecting superstition and pursuing rational thinking. The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon (黄帝内经, Huangdi Neijing, 황제내경), which was first compiled around 475-222 BC, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage, contains 800,000 Chinese characters and covers numerous details…
Noona’s Noonchi is a column for Best of Korea by Jeanie Chang, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Dear Noona’s Noonchi, I just saw the movie, “Umma,” and it got me thinking about the relationship with my own mom. There’s a scene near the end of the movie that made me realize that perhaps my mom…
“Ki is the vital energy of life fundamental for circulation, metabolism, and changes in the body. This flow of this energy is crucial for sustaining life.” Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) or Hanbang, is a fundamental component of Korean culture. Medicinal herbs and acupuncture have been used in Korea to treat and prevent sickness and injury…