Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is China’s most important festival.
Traced back to about 3,500 years ago, and as the most important celebration for families, it includes a week of official public holiday.
It centres around removing the bad and the old and welcoming the new and the good. It’s a time to remember ancestors, banish bad vibes, and bring in good fortune.
Global communities, including my family and friends, observe and celebrate the festival by partaking in many activities. This year, Chinese New Year began on February 10th and continues for 15 days.
This is not a Chinese New Year lesson! Instead, I have taken inspiration from some of its traditions to think positively and improve my overall health and well-being. Here, I share my tips and would love to hear about the activities you get involved in.
Lucky Chinese New Year things to do
A week of official public holiday
Take a step back from the daily grind, rest, and restore. If not for a week like in China, try spending time away with friends and loved ones, making memories and sharing a laugh or two! Or, go it alone and indulge in a good book or mini retreat. For me and my family, an afternoon get-together and union with close friends and those we’d not seen in a while was just the ticket we needed. The theme of ‘bring & share’ was perfect and ticked another lucky activity to do during New Year celebrations.
Eat something sweet & lucky foods
“Niangao” in Chinese, is a popular traditional dessert and this was our ‘bring & share’ goodie to the fun gathering we attended. Due to the similar pronunciation in Chinese, having some “Niangao” during Chinese New Year is believed to lead to a better life in the new year. It also implies good luck for one’s career.
Oranges, kumquats, tangerines, and pomelos are common Chinese New Year food gifts because they are believed to bring good luck and happiness.
The Chinese words for orange and tangerine closely resemble words for luck and wealth. The gold colour also symbolises prosperity.
Fish is another essential dish during the Chinese New Year celebration, symbolising surplus and abundance. The Chinese word for fish, ‘Yu,’ sounds similar to the word ‘surplus.’
Clean the house
Remove the bad and the old. Not only will throwing away what’s no longer needed or outdated clean and tidy the space you live in, the cathartic act will make you feel emotionally better.
Make a house a home
As well as cleaning and tidying the house, make it as comfortable and as beautiful as it suits you. Some prefer a minimalistic and neutral look to minimise stimulants, while others might thrive on vibrant florals to match their creative streak. Personally, I love bringing the outdoors indoor by having plants and the colour combination of green, white, and gold.
Buy new clothes
Out with the old and in with the new! Although February may be a little too soon for a new Spring wardrobe. Still, nothing like retail therapy and even a new piece or two for the wardrobe can make you feel instantly happier, more positive, and confident – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Wear a dash of red
Talking of clothes, it is considered lucky to wear red. I embraced this tradition by wearing a red jumper and sequinned skirt to the ‘bring & share’ party. In Chinese culture, red is associated with energy, happiness and good luck.
Give out “Hongbao”
Red envelopes or ‘hongbao’ in Mandarin and ‘lai see’ in Cantonese are small red and gold packets containing money given to children, family members, friends and employees as a symbol of good luck.
Taking inspiration from this tradition, giving what you can – be it time, money, or donations – to those who need support benefits us in multiple ways.
Whenever I donate clothes, volunteer my time as a trustee and mentor, or contribute money to good causes I notice an improvement in my overall health & well-being, personally and professionally.
Light up the night
The old tradition of lighting fireworks is one of the luckiest things to do for Chinese New Year.
Red firecrackers indicate that days in the new year will be booming, and the sparks symbolise a bright future.
As an alternative, red and/or gold coloured candles, scented even better, can be lit to create a warm and cosy energy at home.
The Power of Positive Thinking
As a mental health advocate, I have experienced first hand how positive thinking impacts and changes lives.
Studies show that positive thinking helps us stay happier, focused on achieving our goals, live longer, reduces stress, and more. Personally, positive thinking has changed my mental health and improved my physical and emotional well-being.
Here are my 14 top benefits of thinking positively and how we can all do it.
