Living in a city like Singapore, it’s easy to be consumed by the stress at work and allow it to get to you. However, these 19 things can help you de-stress and let you enjoy the weekends more.
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Learn to let go and take a breather with these beautiful Reminder Bands ($48-63 each, mindful.com.sg). Each comes with a meaningful engraved message like “Breathe” and “One Step at a Time” to prompt you to slow down and cherish the highs and lows of life.
The minimalistic bands come in 18k gold, 18k rose gold and silver, and you can choose from a matte or high-shine finish.
Infused with a blend of natural botanical essential oils like lavender, vetivert and wild chamomile, This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray ($32,Sephora) is clinically proven to have a therapeutic effect on users who have trouble dozing off at night.
Just lightly mist your pillow or bedding with the calming scent to soothe frazzled nerves and drift off to dreamland.
Wile your afternoon away in the company of kitties at Neko No Niwa, Singapore’s first cat cafe. Playing with the 13 resident felines will lower cortisol levels, and watching their silly antics is sure to put a smile on your face.
The cosy shop also serves an assortment of drinks and sweet treats that you can savour during your stay. Visit www.catcafe.com.sg.
Practising mindfulness has been linked to a host of benefits like improved concentration and lowered stress levels. Learn practical tips and techniques on how to do so at one of the Kikki.K Mindfulness Workshops ($50) conducted in-store. All participants will also get a complimentary Kikki.K Mindfulness Journal (worth $44.90) during the session. Sign up at www.kikki-k.com/workshops.
Express yourself by putting brush to canvas at Boulevart. Try your hand at art-jamming ($33 for two hours), where you’ll get to either paint freely or follow reference materials to create your own masterpiece.
Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before as the session is suitable for beginners. The cosy studio also offers various workshops like acrylic painting or drawing classes for kids and adults alike. Visit boulevart.com.sg
What better way to relax than to book yourself in for a soothing facial? Try the new Spa Esprit Star White Star Bright Facial ($267.50 for 75min) that promises to leave your visage glowing after just one session. The treatment helps to boost skin’s collagen production while reducing the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation spots. Visit www.spa-esprit.com
By now you’ve probably tried – or know someone who plays – Pokemon Go (free, iTunes and Google Play). The app has taken the world by storm, and uses augmented reality technology to let you catch virtual creatures on your phone.
The simple interface and no-frills design makes it easy to play, plus having to physically move around in the real world means more opportunities to get active and explore new places. Grab your beau or girlfriends and plan your next “Poke-date!”
Slow down and surround yourself with the beauty of traditional lettering by taking a quick course in calligraphy. Learn the craft and be on your way to personalising your own handwritten cards and notes. So chic, and so much more meaningful than a text message! Visit craftvaries.com.
Take a dip in the heated baths at Yunomori Onsen & Spa ($40.66 per entry, www.yunomorionsen.com) and feel your tension melt away. Ranging from 38 to 41 deg C, the mineral-rich water will soothe frazzled nerves, enhance blood circulation and even lower blood pressure.
Our favourite is the velvety silk bath, which left us with softer and smoother skin after just 10 minutes of soaking. Top off the spa experience with a Thai ($136.96 for 90min) or Aroma Massage ($147.66 for 90min) and you’ll be in heaven.
Sometimes, that’s all you need to do to relax. The newly launched Fitbit Charge 2 Fitness Tracker ($248) has personalised, guided deep breathing sessions called Relax to calm your mind and body.
Using the built-in heart rate monitor, you’ll receive visualisations of your real-time heart rate, as well as animations and vibrational cues to help you breathe more deeply, slowly and evenly. At the end of the two- or five-minute session, you’ll receive feedback on how well you followed the guide.
Unleash your angst – and get a solid workout – by drumming to the latest pop hits in Pound ($15 for trial class, Kulture Studios). You’ll have a ball grooving to electrifying tunes. The 45-minute class combines cardio, strength training as well as yoga- and pilates-inspired movements to sculpt and strengthen muscles all over.
Besides feeling like a rock star, your sense of rhythm, coordination, agility, endurance and musicality will soar. What’s more, you can burn big calories and look forward to a leaner body! Visitwww.kulture.com.sg/pound.
After a tough workout, give your sore body some TLC during Mobile, a self myofascial release class at Fitness First, Capital Tower Sports Performance.
Learn how to massage key muscle groups using foam rollers, ease the aches and recover more quickly. Your body awareness will increase, reducing your risk of injuries. Visit www.fitnessfirst.com.sg.
Being surrounded by greenery is a surefire mood booster, so imagine what dining and chillaxing in a 35,000-square-feet urban farmland in land-scarce Singapore can do for your soul. Located at Dempsey Hill, Open Farm Community serves up farm-fresh food using sustainably sourced ingredients from its own farm as well as farms in and around Singapore and the region.
Besides noming, there’s a myriad of outdoor activities to occupy you meaningfully. Sign up for an urban farming workshop, or try your hand at lawn bowling and table tennis. Visit www.openfarmcommunity.com.
Created for Star Wars fans and anyone looking for a fun full-body workout, SaberFit ($35 per class) involves using combat sabers to do cardio, plyometrics, core and abdominal exercises along to heart-pumping music.
The routines are designed to improve stamina, balance and coordination. Now you can be a true fighter. Be warned: Your arms, core and leg muscles will ache the next day! Visit www.saber.fit.
Escape to The Garden at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa for a quick getaway. Set amongst lush greenery and away from the buzz, the restaurant offers unrivalled tranquility – plus a well-thought-out selection of food – that will restore your mood and energy level instantly.
Must-tries are the Tuna Tataki and Wasabi Miso Glazed Chilean Seabass. Rich in protein and flavour, they have none of the high-GI carbs that are known to induce a food coma. Leave your kids in the good hands of a caretaker in the play room upstairs, which is well-equipped with games and books to keep them entertained.
Some say that retail therapy is the best kind of therapy – and you might agree too. Take things a step further by buying products that literally help to uplift your mood at Singapore-based online retailer An Uplifted Day (www.anupliftedday.com).
The e-store only stocks items that can enrich and inspire you. We love the Intelligent Change Five-Minute Journal ($58), as it makes keeping a diary easy with its reflective questions. Another favourite is the Yoke Apothecary Lemongrass Interior Spray ($60), an all-natural, vegan and plant-based room scent. We feel lighter and calmer when we use it.
Enjoy spa cuisine at its finest at Tangerine at Espa, located in Resorts World Sentosa. The new seven-course Tasting Menu ($98++), curated by Thai celebrity chef Ian Kittichai, is high in protein, and low in carbohydrates and fat. What’s more, each healthy dish is paired with an antioxidant drink that complements its flavours.
Especially tasty was the Seared Boneless Beef Short Rib with Quinoa Salad (above). If you’re a small eater, you’ll be pleased to know there are three- and four-course options, available at $38++ and $62++ respectively. Tip: Request for a table facing the idyllic gardens of Espa so you can enjoy a relaxing view while you eat. Email dining@rwsentosa.com.
f you haven’t already hopped on the Netflix train, here’s why you should consider it: The service streams popular movies and TV shows over the Internet for a flat monthly fee ranging from $11 to $17 (the first month is free!), depending on how many devices are sharing the account.
Recent TV shows we loved include The Get Down, created by Australian director Baz Luhrmann. The music-driven drama is loosely based on the beginnings of hip hop in the New York City. Visit www.netflix.com.sg.
A manicure or a blowout is a fab way to get some “me time” in. And when it comes to beauty services, it helps to get recommendations. Which is why we’re looking forward to Singapore Beauty Week.
Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, the event from Nov 10 to 19 features a curated list of treatments available in our little red dot. From hair styling and nail grooming to body massages, facials and even laser therapy, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The services are offered at attractive trial prices. Sign up at www.beautyweek.sg.
Text: Dawn Chen, Estelle Low and Zarelda Marie Goh/Shape
Photos: 123rf