Autumn Wellbeing Concept - Nunchi

Pronounced ‘noon-chi’, this is a traditional Korean concept of emotional intelligence and situational awareness that roughly translates as “eye-measure”. A quality held by people sensitive to the dynamics within a group, Nunchi is a sizing up not just of others, but the overall atmosphere and context of a situation – and this could be any social situation. It’s gauging how people are thinking and feeling in order to create connection, trust and harmony.

     

A useful concept at all times, Nunchi particularly resonates with Autumn because this is often a season of new beginnings. It could look like joining new classes, a fresh start somewhere new or a new project. In the season of change, Nunchi helps us to navigate them in a smoother way by tuning in to the emotions of others around us.

  

The concept of Nunchi has been an integral part of Korean life, first being introduced around 2,500 years ago with the teachings of Confucius which have been practiced and adapted ever since. Nunchi is defined as the high social sensitivity of Koreans, who are able to ascertain emotions as a way to maintain harmony. In Korea, personal relations take precedence over business – they see this as ultimately helping a person to make friends or get a new job. Success is viewed as establishing good relationships based on trust and benefit. This is not just in personal relationships but also in the world of business, where Nunchi will be used to ensure that the right approach is being used. This can be through a mutual acquaintance or friend at the appropriate level. The first meeting is essential to establish rapport and build trust, and time is spent developing and fostering contacts. Ultimately, it’s important in Korean community to maintain kibun – feeling or being in a comfortable state of mind. Nunchi can therefore be used to sense someone’s kibun.

    

Over 70 years ago, the Korean War left the country in a dire state of poverty – and yet, now it’s one of the richest nations. Koreans hold Nunchi responsible for their incredible success. Being the embodiment of effective communication skills, it shows that this is something that we can learn from, not just for our own wellbeing but also the wellbeing of others.  It can be used in many situations, for example, interviews, meetings, relationships and parties.

Nunchi can be broken down into two concepts:

. The room is a whole, single organism, not just the people in it.

. Speed is of utmost importance.

     

Can you recall an awkward social situation or an atmosphere which you could cut through with a knife? Koreans describe the room as having its own “temperature” or “barometric pressure”, volume or mood – and this is constantly changing. They speak of a room having its own wellness level, or boonwigi, and everyone in the room is contributing to it. Nunchi, or lack thereof, can enhance or ruin it. Using your senses and that primal gut instinct can work in grounding and harmonising an atmosphere. The best way to go about this is to empty your mind of prejudice (we’re all guilty of this!) and remember not to presume you know it all. Step back, breathe deeply and observe. Be aware of your own influence and how it’s changing the environment. Don’t launch into joking straight away, for example. Assess the situation first.

     

When observing, take account of the emotions of others. Feel the vibe – is it upbeat or tense? If others are engaged in an activity, don’t barge in, or if they’re sombre, don’t try to “fix” the situation. Note details in your mind, such as food not being on the table - commenting on this may add to the “unwellness” of the room. There may be a reason for this that you’re not yet aware of.

      

Note who is speaking/listening/apologising/interrupting/pulling faces? Then an assessment can be made about hierarchies within a group and relationship dynamics. As a result, you’re more confident in knowing how to behave accordingly. Paying attention to verbal and nonverbal communications (such as body language and micro-expressions, such a raised eyebrows) will get you more out of your interactions.

    

Reading the room and noticing surprisingly, share similar wellbeing benefits to mindfulness, which may not be the first thought in a social setting! It is due to the fact that in using identical principles, such as slowing down, suspending judgement and paying focused attention, you get out of your own thought spiral, which calms the emotions and promotes a focused, problem-solving mindset. Self-regulation is known to improve decision-making skills and relationships (which is what Nunchi is all about!).

     

Awareness of context is key. Pay attention to what’s not being said, especially at the initial greeting. For instance, hugging is not for everyone. Watch them to see how they expect to be greeted, and bear cultural context in mind.

   

The key to this is to learn as much as possible by listening and well and genuinely absorbing what you hear. By doing this and letting the other person finish before you speak, most of your questions will be answered. Gathering information and thinking before speaking means that people are happier to be around you and gives you the ability to negotiate better.

   

When it comes to speaking, respect is earned. Avoid being distracted and making it all about you – instead, ask open-ended questions. Choose your conversations and be sensitive to someone’s situation; for example, bragging about a spending spree isn't the smartest move if someone is struggling to make ends meet. Be prepared to read between the lines – not everyone feels comfortable being blunt. Recognise if somebody might be struggling with an unspoken concern that may benefit from your support.

       

A good conversation ultimately helps to close deals and ensures positive outcomes, while reading signals can help to turn around a situation that isn’t going well before damage is done.

    

Approaching social situations through the lens of Nunchi can be grounding to people who are anxious in those settings, as curious observance can take the edge off stress and anxiety that would otherwise be felt. The benefits of active listening are numerous – not just boosting emotional intelligence, it improves communication skills, conflict resolution, builds trust and empathy, while encouraging a supportive environment.

     

Those skilled in Nunchi discern intuitively, even as situations change; a social situation is always in a state of flux. They’re described as “quick” as opposed to “good”, as they’re rapidly processing the changing information. Taking time to assess a situation ups the chances for success in any social environment, meaning we’re more likely to fit in, make connections, less prone to faux passes or appearing clueless. An example of this would be at a social gathering, to pick up the hint that you’re outstaying your welcome. The cues usually subtle!

    

It comes down to gathering data, processing and adapting quickly – adaptability is key to social wellbeing. The mystery is taken out of trying to read the situation by simply paying attention, even if it means uncomfortable silence. The information gained to get a better handle and outcome of the situation is worth it. Not just for the benefit of others, Nunchi is a great way to boost personal development.

      

It would be wonderful if there were essential oils that help us read a room! However, a great driver for being able to read and pick up on an atmosphere would be essential oils that assist us in focusing and alertness. Feeling clearer-headed, we are better placed to make a quicker assessment, and in turn, quicker Nunchi…

     

Basil – contains linalool which gives the ability to clear mental fog. Enhances clarity and concentration.

Bergamot – in balancing the emotions, it helps to restore the mood and in turn, mental function and the ability to concentrate. A top note in our Spring Vitality and Serenity Spa blends.

Cedarwood – creates a sense of grounding, creating an environment to help enhance the learning process and information retention. Underpins our Winter Rest blend.

Frankincense – contains compounds such as alpha-pinene to help deepen mental awareness and clarity, helping to lower mental chatter and sharpen focus. The heart note in our Autumn Harmony blend.

Jasmine – well known for calming, but also associated with uplifting properties that help increase confidence, promoting alertness and calm in social situations. A grounding note in both our Summer Radiance and Serenity Spa blends.

Lemongrass – stimulating properties help improve cognitive performance in terms of longer attention span and better quality of memory. Tops our Spring Vitality blend.

Palo Santo – like Cedarwood, its calming, woody aroma enhances a sense of both peace and focus, while helping boost creativity. The heart of our Autumn Harmony blend.

Patchouli – particularly beneficial if emotions are affecting mental clarity, and has been known to help with memory and recall. A grounding note in our Serenity Spa blend.

Rosemary – rich in compounds such as eucalyptol, which is thought to increase the production of neurotransmitters for memory and thought processing.

Spearmint – stimulates and awakens the senses, including properties that have been shown to improve memory skills and concentration.

Thyme – contains the compound thymol, that both soothes and re-energises, boosting the spirits and increasing mental energy. The hero and top note in our Autumn Harmony blend.

Vetiver – somewhat surprisingly, this grounding oil also is known to improve alertness and brain function, as it reduces restlessness and impatience. A base note in our Autumn Harmony and Winter Rest blends.

Ylang-Ylang – like Jasmine, it encourages a relaxed mindset, helping to clear the mind from distractions, therefore promoting better concentration. Underpins our Spring Vitality and Summer Radiance blends.

       

With an emphasis on unity, collective harmony and relationship building, Nunchi is relevant in such divisive times. There is such power and mutual benefit in understanding others! It is ultimately “…using data to your advantage to create comfort for yourself and everyone else” as Korean/American author Euny Hong succinctly puts it. With Autumn being the season of harmony, this concept is well worth giving a go.