Japan: PostHoneymoon Phase

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Japan Post-Honeymoon Phase
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Presentation Outline

• I. Weather its Effects on Mental/Emotional
  Health
• II. Culture Shock

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Part 1 Weather and its Effects on
Mental/Emotional Health

• How does the weather affect our body? Why?
• Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter, whats the
  difference?
• Obvious Physical change in environment
• -Temperature/Climate
• -Level of Access to sunlight!

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Japans Chilly Winter Season

• Fall and winter bring noticeably lower
• temperatures and overcast days.
• Possible Result
• A Bout of the Winter Blues
• Possible Cause
• Access to sunlight is said to help our bodies
  produce/release serotonin, a hormone that affects
  our emotions. Less sunlight can mean slightly
  lower levels of serotonin, which can often result
  in a notable lack of that all important
  genki-ness.

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Symptoms/Effects

• Anxiety
• Increased desire
• for sleep
• Exhaustion
• Feelings of
• hopelessness
• Feelings of Depression

• Lack of interest in
• things you once enjoyed
• Craving for sweets
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Avoidance of social situations

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How to Avoid/Deal with the
Winter Blues

• Mental Health Maintenance
• 1) Avoiding the junk food you crave your body is
  just looking for a quick fix! Instead, eat
  complex carbohydrates (fruits, pasta, wheat bread
  and rice) to up your serotonin levels.
• 2) Maintaining healthy sleeping habits your body
  will thank you.
• 3) Keeping in touch with friends, gain support
  from your social network.
• 4) Upping your serotonin levels by exercising.
• 5) Enjoying those random sunny days!
• 6) Taking Advantage of Japans winter sports!

Onsen are a pleasant, relaxing way to experience
Japanese culture.
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How to Avoid/Deal with the
Winter Blues

• Physical Health Maintenance
• 1) Keep Warm by drinking warm/hot drinks!
• 2) Wear Warmer Clothing (lots of light layers
  help
• 3) Insulate your apartment (try putting bubble
  wrap on your sliding glass doors, then hanging
  up thicker curtains to trap in the heat).
• 4) Get a warm kakebuton (comforter), or use lots
  of Blankets to beat the morning chill.
• 5) Get a heated carpet/rug! Theyre nifty and
  comfy.
• 6) Buy a portable heater.

Why not try out skiing or snowboarding?
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Winter Blues Info Resources

• www.gannett.cornell.edu/healthAtoZ/healthAdvice/wi
  nterblues.html
• www.teenhealthcentre.com/articles/publish/article_
  42.shtml

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Part 2 Culture Shock

• What is Culture Shock???...Or Better Yet, What is
  it Not?
• Definition
• Anxiety that results from losing all of our
  familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse
  (Kalvero Oberg)
• The tensions and anxieties we face whenever
  change threatens the stability of our lives
  (Milton J. Bennett)
• Transition Shock

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Culture Iceberg
Written Media, TV, Music, Technology (i.e. video
games, cell phones)
Mannerisms, expectations (omiyage, bowing,
sayings, etc)
Traditions, Beliefs, and Values (ex ways of
observing holidays, cultural concepts/ways of
thinking, reasoning behind second level)
The reason why the other levels exist (i.e.
identity, food, shelter, love)
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Culture Shock Diagram
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Hitting Rock Bottom

• What is Rock Bottom? (See Point B on Chart)
• -Information/Sensory Overload!
• Individual is trying to process the new
  environment around them and grappling with
• -Adjustment to a new culture/language.
• -Stressful, Frustrating and Mentally Taxing.

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What are the symptoms?

• Isolation
• Insomnia
• Anger
• Loneliness
• Frustration
• Criticism of New Country
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Irritability
• Disorientation
• Anger

• Self Doubt
• Nervousness
• Emotional/Intellectual Withdrawal
• Craving for food of Home Country
• Great Concern over minor physical ailments
• Fear of physical contact with people in new
  Country
• Use of alcohol, drugs
• Over-concern about cleanliness of food, dishes,
  begging
• Extreme concern over health, safety

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How to Handle Culture Shock

• Dont hold in it, talk to someone! Venting is
  vital. ?
• Build up a social network
• -Fellow JETs? They know what youre going
  through, and can sympathize!
• -Family, Friends at home ? Outside perspective
  is invaluable as well.
• -Co-Workers ? If you dont understand something
  (be it culture- or work-related), dont be
  afraid to ask your JTE or Supervisor.
• Get to know Japan! De-mystify it and become
  familiar with the country! Enjoy it! ?
• -Travel around Japan, explore Niigata and the
  neighborhood around you.
• -Try brushing up on your Japanese even random
  but helpful words and phrases can go a long
  way.
• Find a hobby or join a club its a great way to
  blow off steam and have fun at the same time.
• Separate work from home set aside private
  time for yourself each and every day!

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Keys to Maximizing your Time on JET

• Find a balance between the positive and
  negatives
• The Importance of Flexibility, Adjusting Dont
  be afraid to try new things!
• Build up a Support Base (both in Japan and
  Abroad)
• Set Goals (Big/Small, Short-Term/Long-Term,
  JET/Non-JET Related)
• Diffuse Stress as much as possible

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Get in Touch!

• If you have any other questions or things that
  you would like to discuss further, feel free to
  get in contact with one of your Prefectural
  Advisors
• Kim Leadbeater Niigata Prefectural Education
  Centre
• 025-263-9028
• 
  kimmy99_at_hotmail.com
• Errol Packard Niigata Prefecture International
  Affairs Division
• 025-285-5511 ext. 2217
• packard.errol_at_pref.niigata.lg.jp

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