Dear soul in need of calm,
Bali’s magic is real—but so is the exhaustion of navigating its chaotic streets, the guilt of “FOMO” when everyone’s Instagramming sunset dinners, or the loneliness that creeps in during long rainy afternoons. Whether you’re a tourist drowning in itinerary stress or a local balancing adat (tradition) with modern pressures, anxiety doesn’t discriminate.
But here’s a secret: A simple butterfly hug—created for trauma survivors—can anchor you in 60 seconds flat. Let’s explore why this method is Bali’s best-kept mental health hack.
Why Anxiety Hits Differently in Bali
For Tourists:
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“Vacation Guilt”: Spending thousands to feel “blissful”, then panicking when you don’t.
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Sensory Overload: Motorbike horns in Kuta, haggling at Ubud Market, even the smell of frangipani can overwhelm.
For Locals:
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“Taksu” Dissonance: The spiritual balance (taksu) Balinese cherish clashes with hustling for tourism income.
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Monsoon Blues: Off-season isolation when empty hotels echo like niskala (the unseen realm).
Butterfly Hug: The Science Behind the Wings
Developed in 1998 by psychologists Lucina Artigas and Ignacio Jarero for hurricane survivors, this method:
- Regulates the nervous system through bilateral stimulation (left-right tapping mimics REM sleep).
- Works anywhere—no need for a meditation cushion or healer appointment.
In Bali, it’s especially powerful because:
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The cross-body motion mirrors sembah (prayer hands), feeling familiar to locals.
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Tourists can discreetly use it mid-“Bali belly” panic or when missing home.
Step-by-Step: Butterfly Hug for Bali-Specific Stress
1. Find Your Safe Space
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Tourists: A quiet corner of Pura Tirta Empul’s gardens (avoid temple hours).
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Locals: Your bale banjar (community pavilion) before meetings.
2. The Bali-Adapted Technique
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Sit cross-legged (sukhasana style) or stand barefoot on grass.
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Cross hands over chest, fingertips touching collarbones—like a self-mepamit (hug goodbye).
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Tap alternate sides slowly, whispering:
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“Aku aman” (I am safe) for locals.
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“I am here” for foreigners feeling untethered.
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3. Amplify the Calm (Bali Style)
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Tourists: Pair with 3 breaths of clove-scented air (common in canang sari offerings).
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Locals: Visualize Mount Agung’s stability with each tap.
Beyond the Hug: Bali’s Anxiety Allies
For Tourists:
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Warung Wisdom: Chat with Ketut, the nasi campur vendor in Sanur. His smile is therapy.
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Ocean Reset: Let Melasti Beach’s waves “cleanse” intrusive thoughts.
For Locals:
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Kulkul Sound Bath: The rhythmic wooden bell at your village temple resets panic.
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Balinese Affirmations: Replace “saya cemas” (I’m anxious) with “saya kuat seperti batu” (I’m strong like stone).
A Local’s Testimonial
“After the 2017 Agung eruption, we used butterfly hugs during evacuation drills. Now, my daughter does it before school exams.”
— Ni Luh, Denpasar schoolteacher
When to Seek Extra Help
While the butterfly hug soothes everyday anxiety, Bali has resources for deeper struggles:
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Tourists: Bali Mandara Clinic (Canggu) offers English-speaking therapists.
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Locals: Yayasan Kerti Praja provides free counseling with balian (healer) collaborations.
Bali teaches us that even in paradise, storms pass—both outside and within. The butterfly hug isn’t just a technique; it’s a mini-melukat (purification ritual) you can gift yourself anytime.
Your turn: Try it now, as the Balinese breeze carries your worries to the Java Sea.
By Giostanovlatto
