“A healing moment,” “a healing space,” “a healing personality”: in Japan, the word “iyashi,” usually translated as “healing,” is now used as a matter of course.
But in fact, it was not so long ago that “iyashi” came to be widely used, as it is today, to mean “calming the mind” or “relaxing.”
In this article, we look at the history of the word “iyashi” and why people today seek healing.
“Iyashi” Is a Surprisingly New Idea
The verb “iyasu” (to heal) itself has existed since ancient times, meaning that an illness or wound heals, or that suffering or sadness is eased.
On the other hand, it is said that “iyashi” came to be widely used as a word for “peace of mind” or “relaxation,” as it is today, from the late 1980s through the 1990s.
After that, the word “iyashi” spread across many areas such as music, travel, aromatherapy and interior design, and by around 2000 it had become so much a part of Japanese life that people spoke of an “iyashi boom.”
The word “iyashi” that we use every day actually expresses a relatively new value.
A Great Many People Today Feel They “Want to Rest”
The search for “iyashi” may also be connected to the fatigue and sleep concerns of people today.
For example, in a sleep survey of 4,565 people across Japan conducted by Nature Lab Co., Ltd., 93.9% answered that they “sometimes feel dissatisfied with their sleep.”
Common complaints included
• Waking up during the night
• Still feeling tired after sleeping
• Not waking up feeling refreshed
• Trouble falling asleep
and more.
In addition, in a public opinion survey by Japan’s Cabinet Office, the most common answer for how people spend their free time was “sleep and rest.”
These survey results also suggest that many people feel they “want to rest properly” and “want to truly relax.”
With the spread of smartphones and social media, we now live constantly surrounded by large amounts of information.
While life has become more convenient, we may have less time than before to simply empty our minds.
What We Value at La HEAD
At La HEAD, we want to offer time when you can truly unwind, not only through our treatments but through the whole space, including the lighting, scents and quiet.
A dry head spa is not only about loosening up the head.
We believe it is also a time to step away from your busy days and reset your head and heart.
As a reward for all your hard work each day, why not set aside a little time to simply be, without thinking about anything?
We look forward to welcoming you.