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Abstract
The Greek economic crisis caused chaos in the lives of citizens and as a result many individuals suffer from anxiety and stress. Neoliberal markets have assisted in facilitating alternative self-care rituals to help citizens of Athens take control of their mental health. These markets provide alternative healing services and products to treat individuals from everyday stress and anxiety. This research project utilizes ethnographic methodology to understand how self-care rituals, such as coffee cup readings, evil eye exorcism, healing stones and evil eye merchandise play a significant role in improving mental health in the lives of adult Greek citizens. The interlocutors report that the use of alternative self-care rituals have positive therapeutic benefits in their lives. These products and services embody a rich cultural history, but over time are questioned and stigmatized due to the rationality in relation to current scientific advancements. This paper explores the sociocultural significance of alternative self-care rituals and understanding of mental health in Athens, Greece. This study is an effort to show despite the stigma towards alternative healing methods, these methods deserve our attention as they report to have a significant impact on consumers lives and identities.
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