It’s no secret that Singaporeans are some of the most stressed people in the world. The constant juggling between work, having a social life, and personal time has caused burnout in so many young professionals and adults. There was even a report last year from Cigna that found that 86% of Singaporeans suffer from some form of stress, especially hybrid workers who are “virtually overloaded and fatigued.”
To reduce all the tension in your mind and body, here are 6 things you can do to make you feel lighter and more carefree in no time.
Image credit: Shashi Chaturvedula
In the fast-paced and high-pressure environment of Singapore, mindfulness and meditation can help slow things down so you can achieve a greater sense of calm, clarity, and resilience.
Meditation provides a dedicated time and space for people to quiet their minds and focus their attention inward. Through techniques such as deep breathing, guided visualisation, or mantra repetition, you can experience reduced stress hormones, improved concentration, and a heightened sense of overall well-being.
Mindfulness, on the other hand, involves bringing a non-judgmental awareness to the present moment. You can develop a greater sense of clarity and perspective by consciously paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, and sensations.
Some popular meditation and mindfulness apps you can download to get you started on this zen journey include Headspace, Calm, and Healthy Minds Program.
Image credit: Luah Jun Yang
Exercise is one of the best activities to reduce stress and fatigue. Taking a jog in the park connector, going for a reformer pilates session, and doing some laps in your condo’s pool will stimulate the release of endorphins, a.k.a. your body’s “feel-good” hormones, which in turn will promote a sense of well-being and lower your stress levels.
Furthermore, having a regular exercise routine will improve your cardiovascular health and enhance your overall physical fitness. So as your stress and fatigue go down, your energy levels and good mood will go up, and you’re in a win-win situation.
We all know BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken as the quintessential drink to help us focus when there’s an exam on the horizon. However, the tonic is meant for more than just the mouths of students everywhere. The hearty essence served in a bottle can also help reduce your tiredness by increasing your energy levels.
This is especially helpful for those who work in industries where long hours are the norm, like rideshare drivers, nurses, and night-shift workers who might feel sluggish after taking their meal breaks or struggle to get through their graveyard shift. Having an occupation like that requires one to constantly stay sharp and focused. Therefore, enjoying a bottle of Essence of Chicken will help them keep their heads up and have a general sense of well-being when they’re not on the job.
BRAND’S® has also rolled out a new formula for their Essence of Chicken recently. There is now a smoother taste to their Essence of Chicken, making it go down your throat a lot easier. Furthermore, it keeps the same great health benefits. Whether you want to drink it hot, warm, or chilled, the new BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken can be drank daily to keep you energised 24/7.
You can get BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken from all your favourite stores, including supermarkets, medical halls, drugstores, and online shopping sites like Shopee and Lazada.
Image credit: Edwin Goh
One of the most likely reasons why we’re stressed is because we’re doing things we don’t like. So why not pick up a new hobby that you would enjoy like crocheting or urban farming?
The former used to be something that only “old aunties” do when they’re bored and don’t know how to play mahjong. But there is a growing number of young millennials - and even Gen Z’s - that have been picking up crocheting and loving it, like celebrity couple Edwin and Rachel Goh.
Being a plant parent is also another hobby that has boomed in Singapore in the wake of all the lockdowns. From caring for succulents to propagating ferns, adopting houseplants at home can be a therapeutic activity to soothe and calm the soul.
Whether you’re endlessly scrolling on TikTok, Twitter, Reddit, or Instagram, the odds are good that you’ll be served with depressing stories and articles that even cute puppies won’t be able to erase. Yes, doom-scrolling is a huge thing affecting your mental and physical health. To keep the good vibes only, you can set time limits on your phone so you don’t spend an entire evening debating whether or not to quit Twitter or join Threads.
That’s not to say that you shouldn’t be aware of what’s happening around the world, only that you should limit the content you consume. You can even take a digital detox once in a while by deleting your social media apps, and you can always download them again when you are feeling less stressed.
Image credit: Gaelle Marcel
We’ve been conditioned since young to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. But as we grow older and our responsibilities increase in number, the amount of shuteye we get will become lower and lower. This is another factor that might be contributing to your overall fatigue and stress levels, as you aren’t getting enough rest at the end of the day.
To fix your sleep schedule, you should first try to stick to a certain time to fall asleep. When it’s time to hit the sack, stop using your phone and set it on your desk instead of next to your pillow. If you have a smartwatch, you can also download apps that will gently wake you up instead of blaring a huge siren in your ear.
Having said all the above, lowering stress levels and gaining an energy boost is easier said than done. The important first step is putting your mind to it and committing to reclaiming your body as your own and not one that is bogged down by the weight on your shoulders.
If you don’t want to pick up crocheting, or find it hard to fix your sleep schedule, remember to give BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken a try for an easy fix to get your energy levels up. With no preservatives and artificial chemicals, the fat-free and cholesterol-free broth will be sure to give you a boost and get you through your day.
Find out more about BRAND’S® Essence of Chicken here.
