We know, it’s tough enough to not hit snooze in the morning, let alone drag ourselves up to make the bed. But this simple habit can kickstart our productivity for the day. Intentionally setting aside time to make our bed can give us a sense of accomplishment, which encourages us to complete another small task, and another, and another. Plus, a decluttered environment reduces stress levels, and is a lot more welcoming than a messy space.

Snack time doesn’t always have to be sinful—healthier options like fresh fruits or nuts can be just as satisfying as a bag of chips or a scoop of ice cream. When that midday slump hits, order an açai bowl from An Açai Affair, or grab a cup of freshly squeezed fruit juice from SF Fruits. Açai berries are packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, and fibre, while fresh fruits are a great source of natural sugars for that post-lunch energy boost.

You can also enjoy your healthy snack of choice with a side of piping hot tea. There's actually much to learn about the art of tea making—discover more from our Healthy Tea Workshop.

An Açai Affair — Jewel, B2-262; Westgate, B1-30

SF Fruits — Multiple outlets.

One of the easiest ways we can start taking better care of our well-being would be to drink more water. Did you know that the Health Promotion Board recommends we consume at least eight to 10 glasses of 250ml each of water in Singapore? That’s at least two litres of water a day—most of us might be going about our day dehydrated without even knowing it.

Most of the human body is made up of water, so by staying sufficiently hydrated, our bodies can function at its best, and we’ll feel more energetic and alert throughout the day. We’ll also generally be in a better mood, with less frequent headaches to boot.

If you’re one to need little reminders to up your daily water intake, the Joseph Joseph Dot Hydration Tracking Water Bottle from BHG is perfect for you. Each time you refill the bottle and screw the lid back on, a little dot counter appears to show you how many bottles you’ve drank.

BHG — Multiple outlets.

When we experience intense emotions, the last thing we’d want to do is dwell on them, but research has shown that taking the time to pen down our thoughts can help to improve our overall mental health. Regularly writing about our day helps us identify any emotional or mental triggers, enabling us to better understand ourselves and our emotions.

To start off, we recommend investing in a solid notebook from Bynd Artisan, where you’ll get to select your choice of paper, notebook sleeve, and binding, or choose from a selection of ready-made journals.

In the same vein, meditating could also help to decrease stress levels and ease anxiety. It pulls us into the present moment, clears our minds, and helps to improve our relaxation response. While it might not help to eradicate every anxious thought that might pop into our heads, making a habit of meditating has been proven to help us better let go of these thoughts and feelings as they come.

It is a little more challenging to get into than journaling, as it takes time to get used to sitting quietly with our intrusive thoughts, but here are some simple steps if you’d like to embark on your meditative journey. Set a timer for 5 minutes, and find a quiet, comfortable spot. Close your eyes and inhale and exhale deeply, focusing on your breathing. Whatever thoughts pop into your head, acknowledge them, and let them go. Continue till the 5 minutes are up, and try meditating for a longer duration the next time.

For more meditation guidance, sign up for our art therapy workshops such as Abstract Art Workshop, Zen Colouring with Threads, Zentangle, or Waterbrush Lettering, where you’ll learn how to practice mindfulness while creating art. It’s a simpler, more lighthearted method of easing yourself into the habit of meditation and mindfulness, and a therapeutic way to spend your time.

Bynd Artisan — Raffles City, 03-24.

Studies have shown that losing ourselves in a good book can help to slow down our heart rate and reduce muscle tension. In other words, reading can help us destress. It also helps to sharpen mental acuity, which is important in keeping our mind healthy, especially as we get older. So instead of mindlessly scrolling through Instagram on the train, bring a book out with you to read (Times has a great selection!). You’ll find that it’s way more interesting than seeing what your acquaintances ate for lunch.

Times — Plaza Singapura, 04-05. 

We all know that having plants around the home or office can boost your mood, but something less appreciated is the effect of scent on the psyche. Scents send signals to our limbic system, which is the sector of the brain that controls memory and emotion, so having a soothing, comforting scent in your workspace can do wonders for your stress levels and mood, so go ahead and introduce a diffuser with your favourite scent. Hysses has a wide selection of essential oils and aromatherapy products, so you can drop by their store to discover what scent appeals to you the most.

Alternatively, if you’d like a foolproof aroma to start off with, Scent by SIX’s Discover Hikaru! Our Happy Scent! sessions might be just the thing for you—created in collaboration with the Singapore Association of Mental Health, Hikaru is mainly made from yuzu, as it’s been proven to spark feelings of love and joy, so diffusing this scent at your desk will make you a happier, more productive worker.

Hysses — Multiple outlets.

Scent by SIX — Bugis Junction, 01-15.