Here are 24 new ways to relax in Singapore. Try them all!
Here are 24 new ways to relax in Singapore. Try them all!
1. STAY GROUNDED
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.
2. SOUNDER SLUMBER
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.
3. TOTAL UNWIND
What better way to relax than to book yourself 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 the skin’s collagen production while reducing the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation spots. Visit www.spa-esprit.com.
4. PURR THERAPY
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.
5. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Practising mindfulness has been linked to a host of benefi ts 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.
6. A BALANCED MEA
Enjoy spa cuisine at its finest at Tangerine at Espa, located at 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. E-mail dining@rwsentosa.com.
7. MOVE IT, MOVE IT
It doesn’t matter if you’re a ballerina or if you have two left feet, there’s something for everyone at Got to Move 2016, a nationwide movement organised by the National Arts Council to celebrate the dance scene in Singapore. From Oct 7 to 23, take part in free dance programmes and activities such as showcases, workshops, talks, games and exhibitions held islandwide. Participants stand to win tickets to dance performances and classes, shopping vouchers and other attractive prizes. Visit www.facebook.com/gottomovesg.
8. GET CREATIVE
Express yourself by putting brush to canvas at Boulevart. Try your hand at artjamming ($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.
9. BEAUTY IN WORD
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.
10. BEAT IT
Unleash your angst – and get a solid workout – by drumming to the latest pop hits in Pound ($15 for a trial class at Kulture). 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! Visit www.kulture.com.sg/pound.
11. CATCH ‘EM ALL
By now you’ve probably tried – or know someone who plays – Pokemon Go (free, iTunes and Google Play). The app uses augmented reality technology to let you catch virtual creatures on your phone. The simple interface and no-frills design make 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”!
12. SWEET RELEASE
After a tough workout, give your sore body some TLC during Mobile, a selfmyofascial release class at Fitness First, Capital Tower. 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.
13. BACK TO NATURE
Being surrounded by greenery is a sure-fire mood booster, so imagine what dining and chillaxing in a 35,000- sq-ft urban farmland in land-scarce Singapore can do for your soul. Located in Dempsey Hill, Open Farm Community serves up farm-fresh food using sustainably sourced ingredients from its own farm, as well as those in Singapore and the region. Besides noming, there’s a myriad of outdoor activities that you can do meaningfully. Sign up for an urban farming workshop, or try your hand at lawn bowling and table tennis. Visit www.openfarmcommunity.com.
14. JUST SCREAM
Here’s a legit reason for you to shriek without being judged: the Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights. The sixth edition supernatural fest will feature five haunted houses, two scare zones and two spectacular live shows with sufficient frights to make your heart race, your eyes pop and your jaws drop. From Sept 30 to Oct 31, grab a few friends to experience this spooky evening together! Early-bird booking ends on Sept 30. Visit www.halloweenhorrornights.com.sg.
15. DROWN YOUR SORROWS
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.
16. PEACE OUT
There’s nothing quite as calming as doing yoga outdoors, with abundant fresh air and the therapeutic sounds of chirping birds. All that is at your disposal if you join the HL Balanced Life Yoga event, held at The Float at Marina Bay on Oct 23 morning. Enjoy a 90-minute invigorating yoga session led by Master Dev of One Wellness Fitness, followed by a mini concert and interactive fringe activities. Every participant will receive a yoga mat, event tee and other freebies worth more than $50. Registration fee is priced at $29 per person. Visit www.shape.com.sg/ HLbalancedlifeyoga.
17. STOP TO BREATHE
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 realtime heart rate, as well as animations and vibrational cues to help you breathe more deeply, slowly and evenly.
18. WIELD A SABRE
Created for Star Wars fans and anyone looking for a fun, full-body workout, Saberfit ($35 per class) involves using combat sabres to do cardio, plyometrics, core and abdominal exercises along to heart-pumping music. The routines are designed to improve stamina, balance and coordination. Visit www.saber.fit.
19. DINE AND UNWIND
Escape to The Garden at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa for a quick getaway. Set among lush greenery and away from the buzz, the restaurant offers unrivalled tranquillity – plus a well-thoughtout 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, filled with games and books to keep them entertained.
20. PAMPER YOURSELF
A manicure or 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 the 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 from Oct 10.
21. SHOP MINDFULLY
Some say retail therapy is the best kind of treatment. So why not shop for products that literally help to boost your mood at Singapore-based online retailer An Uplifted Day (www.anupliftedday.com). It only stocks items that enrich your life. 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.
22. DREAM STREAM
If 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, 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 based on the beginnings of hip hop in New York City. Visit www.netflix.com.sg.
23. LOOK WITHIN
Improving the way you live could help you manage your stress better. For inspiration, check out Green Is The New Black, a conscious festival on Oct 22 at Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore. The one-day event off ers various activities, including transformational talks, which explore topics such as finding purpose in your job. There will also be food vendors and retailers who run socially responsible businesses selling their wares, so you can easily spend a day there. Visit www.greenisthenewblack.asia.
24. BLISS OUT
Getting out of the country for a bit can help us recharge. For a trip that’ll nourish you on the inside and out, consider the #TTTBalanceBreak (A$2,288 or $2,362 twin share/A$2,858 single), organised by eco-conscious yoga boutique Touch The Toes. In celebration of its five-year anniversary, it has put together a fun-filled seven-day fitness and wellness retreat in the south coast of Sri Lanka from Oct 16 to 22. Expect daily morning meditation and yoga classes led by Kristin Khor, a teacher at Pure Yoga Singapore, as well as pilates and barre sessions by Casey and Jenna of Paper Tiger Wellness. You can also look forward to surfing lessons, massages and scrumptious meals. Visit www.touchthetoes.com/ttt-balance-break.
