Health wisdom behind the global 'Becoming Chinese' trend

"Tomorrow, you're turning Chinese."

The line comes from a viral video on TikTok, where a creator introduces a series of lifestyle practices shaped by long-standing Chinese health traditions. These include drinking hot water in the morning, boiling apples, wearing indoor slippers at home, soaking feet before bedtime and practicing slow, meditative exercises. 

Framed with humor, the trend has resonated with young users around the world, reflecting a broader global effort to seek calm, balance and well-being in fast-paced, high-pressure societies.

Everyday practices rooted in balance

Many of the habits gaining attention are drawn from long-standing Chinese approaches to health, which emphasize balance, moderation and regularity rather than intensity.

Traditional Chinese exercises such as tai chi and baduanjin focus on slow, continuous movement coordinated with breathing and mental concentration. Compared with high-intensity workouts, these practices are generally easier to sustain and are widely associated with stress reduction, improved sleep quality and better regulation of blood pressure.

Foot soaking before sleep is another commonly imitated routine. Warm water is traditionally believed to promote blood circulation and relaxation. Beyond its physical effects, the ritual serves as a structured pause at the end of the day, reinforcing a rhythm between activity and rest.

Drinking habits have also drawn attention. Hot water, apple-infused water or lemon water are increasingly framed not merely as hydration, but as part of a daily self-care routine that prioritizes comfort and consistency.

Low-cost wellness in a high-pressure world

A key reason these practices resonate across cultures is their accessibility. They require little time, minimal financial investment and no specialized equipment. For people navigating demanding work schedules and rising mental health pressures, such routines are easy to integrate into everyday life.

In an interview with CGTN, Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, said that small lifestyle adjustments and slow, mindful movement can significantly improve well-being, noting that practices such as breathwork can be done anywhere without the need for gyms or equipment.

By regulating breathing and movement, these practices help calm the nervous system and foster a sense of harmony, he explained. Tai chi, qigong and similar traditions emphasize non-violence not as an abstract concept, but as balance – within the body and in one's relationship with the surrounding world.

Public health experts increasingly warn that chronic, non-communicable diseases linked to stress and sedentary lifestyles pose one of the greatest long-term challenges to global health. Approaches that encourage sustained, moderate behavior change are therefore gaining renewed attention.

From imitation to understanding

For many young people facing work pressure, economic uncertainty and mental health challenges, this approach feels realistic and sustainable. Rather than pushing the body to extremes, the "Becoming Chinese" trend emphasizes comfort, repetition and long-term maintenance.

These habits are grounded in traditional Chinese health philosophy, which values living in accordance with natural rhythms, maintaining equilibrium between activity and rest, and focusing on small but repeatable actions.

As overseas users engage with these routines, the trend increasingly moves beyond surface-level imitation. It reflects growing interest in the cultural values behind the practices – restraint, regularity and attentiveness to the body's signals.

That deeper engagement can be seen in the experience of Jake Pinnick, an American who has lived in China for more than a decade. Initially drawn by Chinese martial arts training, he chose to stay after encountering Taoist philosophy, particularly the idea of aligning human activity with nature.

Through his social media account "Wudang Jake," he shares aspects of daily life and traditional Chinese practice with a global audience. In his view, Wudang martial arts are not centered on competition but on cultivating internal balance – combining strength with softness and discipline with calm.

Beyond a passing trend

Rooted in traditional Chinese culture, these wellness practices reflect a way of life shaped by regular routines and harmony between humans and nature. The enthusiasm shown by overseas young people is, in essence, an active embrace of Chinese cultural values. Behind the viral trend is a form of cultural resonance that transcends geography, revealing how everyday practices can build meaningful connections across borders.