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7 Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health at Work

The pandemic and its aftereffects have taken a toll on people’s mental health. Singaporeans from all walks of life have experienced stress throughout the pandemic – from frontline workers to family members who were separated from each other. Those who were infected by virus or those who grieved the loss of their loved one face difficulties in their physical and mental health.

The workplace has restructured. Whichever industry you work for, you have the power to look after your mental health and overall well-being. Start with these tips.

#1: TALK TO SOMEONE YOU TRUST

Whether you find comfort in sharing your situation to a co-worker, a friend, or a family member, talking to someone you trust can help. You may feel better if you are able to openly talk about what you are going through at work. Someone who cares about you can provide you with a fresh perspective or help you arrive at a solution. If you feel more comfortable in meeting your confidant in person, please follow the safety precautions. Nonetheless, you can always stay connected with your trusted confidant through video calls or messaging apps.

#2: MONITOR YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH

Focus and concentration at work can be achieved when you take care of your physical health. Moreover, eating a healthy diet and strengthening your physical health can improve your mental well-being. Experts suggest exercising at least 30 minutes daily. Try dancing, running, cycling, practicing yoga, skating, and so on.

Looking for affordable dumbbells? Search no further than Decathlon Singapore. They store dumbbells for as low as S$8/pair.

#3: MOVE AWAY FROM HARMFUL SUBSTANCES

If you are overwhelmed with the stack of deadlines and the long demands of irate clients, you may opt for taking substances such as alcohol or nicotine. For a short while, these substances may help you feel better. However, depending on these substances to cope with stress can harm you eventually. These substances can put you or those around you at risk of diseases or injuries.

#4: TAKE 2 MINUTES TO FOCUS ON THE PRESENT

Stop a whirlwind of thoughts by reconnecting yourself to the present moment. Follow along the video below and take slow (relaxing) deep breaths. Give yourself these two minutes of peace as you put your feet on the ground and sit comfortably in your chair. May this video help you to tackle the day ahead!

#5: LEARN TO SAY NO

Take care of yourself! It is important to know how much work you can take on so that you do not exhaust yourself. Of course, it is natural to have the desire to impress your boss or co-workers by performing well. Sometimes, you can only be at your best when you do not divide your attention to many tasks.

Only you will know when “possible” turns into “impossible”. A key skill you need to learn in the workplace is learning to say “no”.

#6: CREATE HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

I must admit! It is hard to ignore the popping work notifications. With the advancement of technology, we became reachable 24/7. To protect yourself from exhaustion, you can set boundaries early on. Leave your work on time and maximize your tasks in the workplace. Try to resist checking or responding to work emails and messages after your work hours or before going to sleep.

#7: ASK FOR HELP

For many people, work can have a positive impact on our health and overall well-being. Businesses simply operate better when the employees are physically and mentally healthy. So, it is worth asking your manager how he or she can help you perform well in the team. See if you can work together to adjust your working conditions to make sure everyone feels comfortable at work.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Brunch Guide to 5 Best Places in Singapore

Cafes in Singapore are easy to find. And, as brunch has become a staple in most of our lifestyles, more eateries have presented their brunch offerings.

Brunch is one of the best meals you can have for the day, especially during weekends where sleep is a luxury. Just ask the Singaporean ladies who brunch! If you are an avid fan of brunch, you are in for a treat. Singapore has several restaurants that offer brunch options apart from the classic avocado toast.

Here are some of the brunch places where you can indulge at!

1. THE NEPTUNE SG

Nestled in the trendy streets of Katong, where cold brew and sourdough abound. Decked out in a calming sage green, the Neptune SG is inspired by Japanese cuisine.

Here, you will if brunch options that will tickle your taste buds. You can try their flavorful Shrimp Scampi (S$21.90). This dish comes with ribbons of tagliatelle, which are dressed in garlic butter shrimp sauce with a crispy shallot panko sauce.

Image Credits: facebook.com/theneptunesg

Location: 237 East Coast Road, Singapore 428930

2. WILD HONEY

Wild Honey boasts a hearty list of delicious all-day breakfast dishes inspired by various places around the world. Wild Honey’s beautifully designed restaurants use the highest quality ingredients, which are stunningly presented.

You can start with the extra cheesy Brazilian bread and work your way up to the spicy Shakshouka with chorizo and braised eggs. If you prefer French food, you can order the St Michel, which is a savory French toast.

Image Credits: wildhoney.com.sg

Location: Multiple locations including Mandarin Gallery

3. THE POPULUS COFFEE & FOOD CO.

Constantly graced by queues, Populus is known for being one of the top places for brunch. Its Buckwheat Pancake (S$18.50), the Populus Scramble (S$18), and grain bowls are immensely popular.

You see, Buckwheat Pancakes are fluffy and soft. Surrounded by cornflake crumbs, the pancakes go well with its thyme-infused maple syrup. Be sure to get this Instagrammable moment!

Image Credits: facebook.com/thepopuluscafe

Location: 146 Neil Road, Singapore 088875

4. 6 LETTER BRUNCH

6 Letter Brunch is the latest Instagrammable cafe to hit the East. It is situated along Siglap Road. Started by the same team behind 6 Letter Coffee, this bicycle-themed cafe is decorated with bicycle racks and potted plants.

Its menu is incredibly expensive, with over one hundred items to choose from. You can try the 6 Letter Brunch Rosti (S$16). This dish has Norwegian smoked salmon, house-made rosti, sunny-side-up egg, shiitake mushrooms, avocado, fresh fruits, sour cream, and salad.

Image Credits: facebook.com/6letterbrunch

Location: 103 Frankel Avenue Singapore, Singapore 458225

5. XPERIENCE AT SO/ SINGAPORE

Dubbed as the “Mother of All Brunches”, Xperience at SO/ Singapore displays its brunch offering with perfection. Create magical memories by indulging in a tower of magnificent delights.

You can look forward to tasting dishes like Grilled Truffle and Cheese Toasties, Chicken and Beef Sliders with Poached Tiger Prawn Skewers, and Tonkotsu Tartare Beef Ribeye. People who love sweets can finish their brunch with Chocolate Fondue and Homemade Waffles. Just typing this makes me hungry!

Image Credits: so-singapore.com/wine-dine/xperience-restaurant/#map_ctx

Location: 35 Robinson Rd, Singapore 068876

Bookmark this guide to the best brunch places in Singapore for reference when your cravings hit!

Sources: 1, 2, 3

6 Benefits of Staycation in Singapore

The staycation trend has increased significantly in recent years. Instead of travelling far for your vacation, you can stay in a hotel nearby to act as a tourist discovering local attractions.

Staycations have several benefits that make them attractive to couples and groups of friends. Here are some of the benefits:

#1: SAVE MONEY

Staycations are more cost-efficient than traveling overseas due to cutting expenses such as airfare and expensive meals. Travel and accommodation can cost a lot of money. A chunk of vacation budget goes towards these categories.

When you are preparing for a staycation, you can use your money towards more entertainment activities and delightful food.

#2: MAXIMIZE TIME

Say goodbye to airport stress and the possibility of flight delays. Your travel time will be shortened due to staycationing nearby. Aside from saving time, you do not have to deal with the stress of queuing, traffic, and so on.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: LEAVE YOU INSPIRED

Having some down time can give you a chance to explore innovative ideas. Steer away from chaos and generate fresh ideas as you lounge in the hotel lobby or sit near the hotel pool. Inspirations can later be turned into productive projects.

#4: FIT FOR SHORT BREAKS

If the vacation days your organization gave you is short, it is vital to make use of your time. It is easier and more practical to allot it in a weekend getaway.

You can be spontaneous year-round as you book and enjoy a relaxing break, within Singapore. Consider alternative places such as a glamping staycation, a staycation in a yacht, at SG Hotel On Wheels, or at Resorts World Sentosa.

#5: NO JETLAG

With international travel, you can experience time differences and jet lag. Arriving at 7 am after a 14-hour flight and having to stay awake all day may make you feel uneasy.

The time difference can also impact your vacation quality and access to contacting your family back home. There is no need to worry about jetlag and time difference during a local staycation!

#6: PLAN LESS

Planning is a huge part of people’s holidays. You have limited time to explore a new country and you want to pack in as many things as possible. However, planning to visit a new country can take time.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The beauty of a staycation is that you can leave home without completing a list of tasks such as searching for cheap flights or searching for accommodation near the airport. Less planning will enable you to spend more quality time with the people you love.

Sources: 1 & 2

5 Exciting Spots for Valentine’s Day Dates in Singapore

Take your special someone or gather your beloved squad for a memorable Valentine’s Day date!

The day of love is just around the corner. If you are scrolling through this list, there is a chance that you might be out of ideas on how to impress your significant other. Whether you are still looking for the perfect gift or the perfect experience, here are some exciting spots that you can visit in Singapore. May you enjoy your romantic time together!

#1: TUFTING TOGETHER

Similar to embroidery or knitting, tufting is a type of textile craft in which a thread is inserted on a primary base. It is traditionally used for making rugs. Since then, it has made its comeback and has won the hearts of many.

What better place to take your significant other than at the first tufting studio in Singapore? Nestled in a two-story shophouse along Circular Road, Tuft Club offers workshops for tufting a rug and more. You will be guided by staff members on how to operate a tufting gun and how to use different techniques throughout the session.

Image Credits: facebook.com/tuftclubsg

Their 4.5-hour session costs S$195 per person. Book here.

#2: A DAY WITH BAE

Spend a day with bae at a place filled with flowers and greenery – visit Gardens by the Bay! Let your romantic side shine through as you feast your eyes with colorful floral arrangements, indoor waterfalls, and attractions like the Flower Dome.

From now until 20 Feb, Flower Dome displays the “Dahlia Dreams”. Admire the field of over 2,000 blossoming dahlias made up of over 70 cultivars. What’s more? The larger-than-life floral lanterns featuring peonies and narcissuses are a part of the River Hongbao’s display. All these come with spectacular lights in the evenings!

Image Credits: gardensbythebay.com.sg

To secure your spot in advance, you can book your ticket online here.

#3: PLAY WITH REALITY

Let your squad figure out what’s real and what isn’t at HeadRock VR. Singapore’s first VR experience makes for an entertaining Valentine’s Day date. Play with reality as you choose between eight different thematic attractions. If your friends or your partner enjoy trying new things, this can be ticked off your bucket list!

Image Credits: facebook.com/headrockvrsg

Price for the HeadRock VR Single Play + Cable Car ride starts at S$13 (T&Cs apply). As HeadRock VR is in Sentosa Island, you can combine your booking with other attractions like Universal Studios.

#4: ICE CREAM FOR INTIMACY

Indulge on a sweet date at the Museum of Ice Cream. The museum recently launched a playful romance-themed attraction that allows its guests to explore the definitions of intimacy, whether as a couple or as friends.

Share memories with your loved ones at the Cone-nection Cube. Here, you will be completing a series of quests that will enhance your bond. Along the way, you will encounter new Instagrammable corners including a mirrored disco room. Feel free to snap a sweet moment together!

Image Credits: facebook.com/museumoficecreamsg

Best of all? All visitors will be given a complimentary Hendrick’s Lunar Gin cocktail and unlimited sweet treats as part of the experience. You can buy your tickets here.

#5: AESTHETICALLY PLEASING HIGH TEA

Sweep your lover off her feet by taking her on an escapade at a Moroccan-inspired cafe called La Fez. Check out their menu that is sprinkled with Middle Eastern delights. Apart from this, you can indulge on a Sultana High Tea Set, which is priced at S$45.90 for 2 persons.

This set is served on an opulent-looking tiered tray consisting of a mixture of sweet and savory nibbles as well as Khubtz Beef Brioche and Tashelhit Salmon Brioche, to name a few.

Image Credits: facebook.com/wearelafez

This weekend, you can celebrate Valentine’s or Galentine’s day with them by snacking on their complimentary dessert. Only one complimentary dessert will be served per table and with a minimum order of a main (T&Cs apply).

Sources: 1 & 2

Which Music Streaming Service Reigns Supreme: Apple Music vs Spotify?

When it comes to the best music streaming services, Apple Music and Spotify immediately pop into our minds! After all, these two music streaming providers are leading the charts in paid subscribers. Carrying distinctive features that cater to specific users, it can be hard to choose between the two.

So, let us dig a little deeper into their traits to see which is the ideal music streaming service for you!

AUDIOPHILE-GRADE STREAMING EXPERIENCE: APPLE MUSIC

In February 2021, Spotify announced that it will be releasing its Spotify HiFi tier. This is an upgraded level of streaming that aims to deliver lossless CD-quality music. Upon its release, it will only be available in selected regions. However, Spotify users have yet to see any signs of HiFi anywhere. By default, Spotify sets its streaming quality to automatic. This setting depends on your connection strength – whether you are using Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

On the other hand, Apple Music recently released its high-resolution streaming options at no extra cost. Apple has developed its own lossless audio compression technology called Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). With it, you can experience 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/48kHz, and 24-bit/192kHz streaming and Spatial Audio through Dolby Atmos.

POCKET-FRIENDLY PLANS: APPLE MUSIC

Both Spotify and Apple Music offer three-month free trials for their premium versions. When comparing the prices of the plans, Apple Music is minutely cheaper than Spotify Premium.

Here is a comparative list:

	Apple Music	Spotify Premium
Free Trial	3 months	3 months
Student Plan	S$4.98/month	S$4.99/month
Standard Plan	S$9.98/month	S$9.99/month
Family Plan	S$14.98/month	S$14.98/month

FREE VERSION: SPOTIFY

If you are not willing to spend money on a music streaming service, you can download Spotify and use its free version. There is a catch! Spotify Free is supported by advertisers, so expect to listen to these ads.

You also cannot download your favorite songs or access the offline mode. This free version will either use your cellular data or connect to your Wi-Fi whenever you stream.

MOST FLEXIBLE STREAMING SERVICE: SPOTIFY

Choosing Apple Music is a no brainer if you are stuck in the Apple ecosystem and are blessed with a wealth of iTunes music. In contrast, Spotify welcomes both its Apple and Android users.

You can also stream your Spotify playlist across various devices from smart speakers to game consoles and smartphones. There is also a robust range of podcasts and concerts.

WHICH MUSIC STREAMING SERVICES SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

As a personal preference, I prefer using Spotify Premium on my Android and Apple devices due to its superior song recommendation algorithm. If Spotify suddenly stopped its services and I had to switch to Apple Music, it would not be so bad.

You need to choose a service that suits your personal and financial preferences. Save money on your subscription by getting the Family Plan. Spotify and Apple Music offer Family Plans at S$14.98/month. You can share your subscription with five other people. Thus, your contribution will amount to about S$2.50/month/person.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Are there only three members in your family? Do not worry about sharing your plan with your actual family members! You can form a group of friends or co-workers instead.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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