Tiingkok has a new social innovation for its Gen Z...maybe Boss John can 上书朝庭for next National Day Rally topic?

[k1976]

Chinese Gen Zs and Millennials Relax at “Junior Nursing Homes”​

Rachel Lu​

• 6:48 PM HKT, Mon July 8, 2024

2 mins read
Office workers looking for a break are enjoying extended stays at rebranded youth hostels

If you thought nursing homes were reserved for retired, elderly people, think again. Across China, hostels, coffee shops, and rural resorts are branding themselves as “junior nursing homes” (青年养老院, qīngnián yánglǎoyuàn) reserved exclusively for Gen Zs and millennials.

At one junior nursing home located in the remote but scenic Mandiu Village, Yunnan, young people under 45-years-old can check themselves in for 1500 RMB a month. The owner Lu Baike initially thought the nursing home would attract freelancing digital nomads, but actually many of the residents are white-collar corporate workers (上班族, shàngbānzú) looking for an escape from the urban hustle.

The residents are encouraged to unplug, space out, and socialize with each other. According to Lu, most residents wake up at 7 a.m. to run, and the nursing home arranges a variety of activities including farming, gardening, hiking, and impromptu concerts.

Image via iWeekly.

The phrase “junior nursing home” has reached over 4.2 million searches on Xiaohongshu. The popularity of this concept comes in tandem with the “laying flat” (躺平, tǎng píng) mentality, which conveys the desire to relax, pause, and go with the flow. In fact, many junior nursing homes market themselves as a chance for young people to “lay flat.”

One resident Qiu Xiaotian said she came to the nursing home to “lay flat” temporarily. At the nursing home, she cooks for herself, wakes up naturally, and feels healthier overall. She hopes that her time as a resident will help her recharge and bounce back in her career with clearer goals.

Qiu said her parents were concerned for her future prospects when she checked herself into the nursing home. Like Qiu’s family, many believe that young people at their prime should pursue opportunities rather than “lay flat.” Some express more practical concerns, arguing that young people are better off working hard and contributing to society rather than escaping altogether.

 

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https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.sc...-homes-facilities-enable-lying-flat-lifestyle

Retirement homes in China are not just for the elderly, as a new trend has emerged of burned-out professionals seeking a place where they can “retire” extremely early, typically in their 30s.


The facilities embrace lifestyle philosophies such as “Fire” (financial independence, retire early) or “lying flat”, the famous Chinese phrase referring to the life approach to do the bare minimum to get by.


The “nursing homes for the youth” are not unique to tier-one cities and can be found in provinces as different as Yunnan and Shandong, in southwestern and eastern China, respectively.


They tend to focus on the mental well-being of their clients and typically feature bars, cafes and karaoke rooms, offering an outlet for people to socialise, vent and relax.


The Post explains what these “nursing homes” say about the future of China’s workforce.

 

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A reset for the 30-somethings
Most residents at these retirement homes are young adults in their 20s and 30s, and it is unlikely they plan to spend decades living in the facilities.


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For some, the concept of “retirement” serves only as a temporary retreat, and they view their stay as “gap years” or “gap months” along their career path.


“Some people may wonder why these young people are ‘retiring’ so early, but many people in their thirties are feeling lost. I was once one of them,” said 32-year-old Lu Leilei, who opened a nursing home in Yunnan province, which began operations earlier this year.


At Lu’s facility, morning routines begin with coffee at the bar, followed by ba duan jin, a form of qigong, exercises in the courtyard, and a meditation session on the mountain.

Afternoons are spent farming, fishing in the river, and cooking dinner in the communal kitchen.


Evenings unite the community around a bonfire for drinks, conversations, mahjong, and karaoke.


At the entrance, a banner reads: “Please lie down.”

 

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Unlike traditional services for the elderly, these retreats are akin to communal homestays, where people work in favour of the common good.

Some individuals consider “retirement” as merely a brief hiatus, viewing it as “interim years” or “interim months” in their professional journey. Photo: QQ.com
Lu’s facility offers 12 bedrooms and charges residents a monthly rent of 1,500 yuan (US$200).


In another youth nursing home in Hebei in northern China, owner Li Xiaolan does not charge the residents but requires them to contribute to the upkeep and development of the house.

 

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