How to relax in Singapore: Find mindfulness and calm at these workshops and experiences

Calling it a trying time since Singapore went Dorcson Orange and Covid-19 became a global pandemic would be putting things mildly. With travel restrictions escalating daily and the whole world's borders pretty much on lockdown — not to mention the monumental daily impact on people's jobs and the economy due to the necessary social distancing measures and safe to say — people's stress levels are at an all-time high.

With no end in sight to all the uncertainty for the next few weeks at least, here are some upcoming activities to help you find some peace, balance and relaxation. Whether flying solo, in small group sessions outdoors, or from the safety of your own home, we've got you covered.

Float and light your cares away

The team from Palm Ave Float Club have been offering the benefits of sensory deprivation as a means for exploring your inner world via floatation for several years now. Overlooking the Kallang riverside at Kampong Bugis, this place promises to help relax your muscles, improve your sleep, and harmonise your inner processes, thanks to the 600kg of Epsom salt dissolved in each of their six pods. Researchers have found that floating helps people with all kinds of stress-related disorders like PTSD and anxiety, to name a few. Social distance away in your own floatation pod for an hour and get a complimentary red-light therapy (RLT) before or after session. Red light has been proven to improve your mitochondrial function. Standing at varying distances from the light, as it penetrates 8-10 mm into your skin, can promote deep tissue or skin healing.

Cool down for greater well-being

Join South East Asia's only certified Wim Hof Method (WHM) instructor, Chun Yih Tan, for his five-hour WHM Fundamentals workshop, where you will learn how taking in more oxygen through breathing techniques, cold exposure, and commitment can optimise your mental and physical performance. Developed by extreme athlete, Wim Hof — nicknamed "The Iceman" thanks to his 26 cold-exposure-related Guinness Record titles — has taken part in numerous scientific experiments to prove the co-relation between his breathing techniques, the cold, and its impact on the immune system. Don't get me wrong, it's not easy getting into the ice-cold bath, but participants tout the amazing calm that  sets in once you work with your breath. There's also the great sense of accomplishment after, and, not to mention, improved sleep. This technique has been used by people suffering from depression, panic attacks and anxiety. Something we all can relate to these days.

The next upcoming workshop happens on 26 April at 25 Pemimpin Place, Singapore.

For those who would like to learn the method through a slow and steady approach without braving the cold bath too soon or any group activity for that matter, Wim Hof Organisation are offering their 10 week e-learning course at 50% off due to Covid-19 indefinitely.

Nature is the greatest healer

Somehow, it feels like this current global situation stems from a growing disconnect to nature and our frenetic pace of consumption. Getting back in touch and in pace with nature may well be the best medicine.

This Saturday, join the Ppurpose team for Nature Assembly, a two-hour outdoor multi-sensorial workshop that incorporates yoga, assemblage, meditation and healing elixirs at the Singapore Botanical Gardens. In keeping with the most recent social distancing measures, the number of participants will be kept to 10, and mats placed a metre apart. Yoga and meditation will be led by yoga teacher trainer from Japan, Yuka Hosomi. Fine arts graduate and glitter artist, Polina K will guide you through the creative art of assemblage. Learn more about healing herbal remedies from tea enthusiast, Melissa Tan, who aims to bring kindness to the inner self and consciousness towards nature through the bio-alchemy of medicinal plants, superfoods, adaptogens, and sacred aromatics.

Interested in harvesting your own food and forest-bathing? Ground Up Initiative offers this and a whole range of other activities at its Kampong Kampus in Yishun to get people back into nature and the kampong spirit. On March 29, you can do forest-bathing and yoga on a pay-as-you-wish basis. Their next harvesting workshop is happening on June 5.

Staycations with a difference

Many hotels are now offering reduced rates due to the drastic drop in tourist numbers. Homegrown travel company Blue Sky Escapes (BSE) is upping the ante by pairing up with hotels like The Raffles, Six Senses Duxton, The Capella and The Warehouse to offer tailored experiences for Singaporeans seeking inner healing, restoration, and enrichment during their staycays. Along with the usual VIP amenities and privileged access, BSE's tailored staycations incorporate personality-led experiences that include meditation, reiki and sound healing, mindfulness and creative art experiences for both adults and kids.

A Seven Day Stress Remedy Program from the comfort of your home

For those who are committed to maximum social distancing, the founders of HASIKO are offering free access to their seven-day online Stress Remedy Program until April 30. The founders are big advocates of mental wellbeing and they've specifically designed their programmes to enhance your physical and emotional resilience to stress. Comprising three vital elements for a strong foundation of well-being — movement, meditation and a process of self-inquiry — the programme includes a stress toolkit and workbook, seven days of Superfoods recipes from their nutritionist, and a 15- minute movement and meditation guide along with daily journaling and reflection exercises. Use the code BURO247 at checkout to access the programme for free.