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‘Love yourself’ – young China’s new wellness mantra to cope with the rat race

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Jane Cai,Bob ZhaoJanuary 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM
‘Love yourself’ – young China’s new wellness mantra to cope with the rat race
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AI Summary

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In China, young people are increasingly embracing self-care as a way to cope with pressures from school and work. The trend is exemplified by the popular phrase "ai ni lao ji," meaning "love you, dear self," which has gained traction on social media platforms like Douyin and RedNote. Users share posts about small acts of self-compassion and immediate gratification, such as enjoying treats after long hours. This "love yourself" mantra reflects a growing desire among young Chinese individuals to prioritize personal wellness amidst a competitive environment. The trend has emerged in recent months and is particularly prevalent among young adults navigating the challenges of education and employment.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context
Douyin 50% RedNote 50% Kuaishou 50% Tianjin 60% Celine Wang 80% China 90%

Keywords

self-care 90% personal wellness 80% ai ni lao ji 80% rat race 70% young china 70% self-compassion 60% self-reward 60% mental health 50% china 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Positive
Score: 0.40

Source Transparency

Source
South China Morning Post
Political Lean
Center-Right (0.50)
Far LeftCenterFar Right
Classification Confidence
85%
Geographic Perspective
China

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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self-carepersonal wellnessai ni lao jirat raceyoung chinaself-compassionself-rewardmental healthchina
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