Four self-care trending lifestyles in China

Chinese youth are becoming ever-more aware of their mental and physical states. They are making lifestyle decisions as a result, such as choosing new past times, redesigning their homes, upskilling and getting interesting pets. Here are four self-care lifestyles that are trending:

1. Bistro

On China's leading lifestyle trends app RED/Xiaohongshu, the hashtag #Bistrohas has captured more than 44 million views and 400,000 posts. Young professionals in major Chinese cities are adopting a fresh approach to self-care and socializing—indulging in fine dining experiences at bistros.

Modern bistros in China offer more than just Western cuisine and wine; they're enthusiastically embracing innovative dishes that span Chinese regional favourites, Japanese, and Thai cuisines. Bistros serve as photogenic spots for social media, with posts highlighting the exquisite and cozy dining ambiance (i.e lighting, decor and dish presentation).

This lifestyle reveals that young people are seeking an emotional value at bistros. Whether engaging in a pleasant chat with friends or savouring stress-relieving solo moments, dining at bistros has become a way to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

A video portraying the dining ambiance in a bistro located in Shanghai. Source: @小瞿今天吃肉了吗 from Douyin

2. Home Redesigning

Young people in China's bustling urban areas are actively engaged in transforming their homes for sweeter me-time moments. They're setting up new sofas, projectors, 'spiritual corners,' or even revamping furniture. Youth’s homes have evolved into a versatile space for displaying aesthetics, creativity, and drawing inspiration.

Using floral decorations and expired old magazines to craft wall art; Creating Christmas wreath light. Images: Xiaohongshu/RED

Transforming an old, worn-out small home into a cozy and artistically enriched one. Images: Xiaohongshu/RED

Nestled in a well-decorated corner of their homes, Chinese youth are relishing their 'me-time' moments after work. They dedicate hours to activities like reading, listening to music, watching movies, and dozing off in this corner to rejuvenate their mental well-being and enthusiasm for life, seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. This corner has earned the moniker 'spiritual corner'(精神角落). On RED/Xiaohongshu, the related topic #MyFavoriteCornerAtHome has amassed over 1.3 billion views and 280,000 posts. Tutorials on designing and decorating home corners, along with room tour videos, are gaining popularity, sparking a boom in demand for both soft and hard decorative items for homes.

Spiritual corner’s looks. Images: Xiaohongshu/RED.

A tutorial video on decorating a corner at home. Shared by the user @墩儿姐的家 on Xiaohongshu/RED

3. Night school

In the 1980s, night school served as a way to gain extra academic qualifications during non-working hours. Today, an increasing number of young adults opt to use their post-work free time for skill-building in night schools. The hashtag #NightSchool on Douyin has amassed nearly 36 million views.

China’s night schools offer diverse, value-packed courses, boasting over 100 options including carving, painting, cooking, singing, dancing, musical instrument instruction, calligraphy, and even wine tasting. By pursuing their passions in these classes, young individuals find an escape from their draining jobs, rediscover the lost happiness of learning, and reignite their enthusiasm for life. This pursuit allows them to reclaim a sense of control amidst uncertain times.

However, it is important to note that this 'night school' industry is still at an early stage of development in China. There aren’t industry standards like other areas of education and teaching staff are often insufficient.

Official night school accounts on Xiaohongshu/RED.

4. Keeping pet chickens

Chickens, once considered solely as animals destined for dinner tables, are gradually becoming pets in the lives of young people in China. Videos related to "pet chickens" on Douyin have reached a staggering 1.33 billion views, and RED is filled with owners sharing their daily experiences of raising chickens. Despite being considered an unconventional choice for a pet, many pet chickens receive treatment that rivals popular pets like cats and dogs.

Numerous bloggers have expressed that they not only sleep with their pet chickens, but also go as far as purchasing customized leashes and diapers for them. Some even go the extra mile by dressing their chickens in Christmas costumes during the festive season, even though the clothes are often discarded within seconds. Many enthusiasts speak of browsing platforms like Amazon to purchase a variety of pet supplies for their beloved chickens.

Chinese chicken owners show off their pets on Chinese social media, and the ecommerce purchases they’re making. Source: 36kr

Popular chicken pet-related posts on RED.