One prominent feature of Singapore is our “kiasu” mentality” - the fear of losing out. Studies have shown that 86% of Singaporeans worry about poor grades, compared to the OECD average of 66%. While excelling in studies or climbing the corporate ladder shapes our lives, they do not define us. Whether it's collecting Popmart items or filming TikTok videos, external fulfillments help us discover more about ourselves, but how do we begin to find out beyond work and academics?  B

The death of a loved one is never easy to deal with, and people experience grief in diverse ways. Did you know that most children grasp...

Mathematician John Allen Paulos said, “Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.” Humans seek patterns to feel secure, even when none exist. Like gamblers who justify wins and losses, we search for cause and effect to feel in control (Armstrong et al., 2020). Neuroscientific research supports the notion that uncertainty triggers stress responses similar to those triggered by immediate danger (Steffen et al., 2022

Supporting our friends and family who are new parents goes beyond sending our congratulations to them; it also involves understanding their emotional needs. A major challenge that new mothers often face is “mom guilt”, where they feel as though they are not doing enough or are not doing things right. When new mothers share these emotions, listen to them, validate their feelings, reassure them that it's normal to feel overwhelmed or anxious, and let them know they’re not alone

In a world that often ties success with self-discipline and achievement, we usually struggle to show ourselves the kindness we readily offer to others. Societal norms frequently emphasise self-sacrifice, toughness, and perfectionism, which can lead to harsh self-criticism. This can make it difficult to detach from self-critical thoughts, thus leading to negative mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression (Egan et al., 2022). However, self-compassion offers an alter

What is Resilience? Resilience is the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity. It refers to the difficult or challenging experiences we encounter throughout life, ranging from family and relationship problems to workplace and financial stressors (American Psychological Association, 2020). It acts as a buffer that helps us recover, learn, and grow despite hardship. Why do we need Resilience? When adversity is strong, frequent, and prolonged, and we lack the support of r

The Tree of Life is a key example found in many cultures and mythologies worldwide, representing human interconnectedness and the cycle of life.   In the realm of mental health, the concept has been utilised as a narrative therapy technique that intricately weaves life stories into the metaphor of a tree, empowering individuals to visualise their journey, uncover hidden strengths, and reclaim their narratives, particularly those navigating trauma and hardship.   According to

Emergency food supplies (to stock up during times of lockdown) Canned fruits, vegetables, beans, meats, fish Canned juices, broths and...

Contrary to popular belief, preparing a meal at home does not need to be an all-day affair that only yields one meal. Here are some tips for hustling individuals to make quick and healthy meals that encourage you to try cooking at home. Set a budget and stick to simple ingredients Make a budget for groceries per week and stick to it. Estimating what you can buy with the budget you have can be tricky initially, but it will get better with time as you grow more familiar with pr

We all need food. That is why food is the ultimate social connector. Whether it’s a simple meal shared with friends during break times or a hearty dinner prepared by a family member, food has the power to bring people together.  Hangouts with friends The mere practice of asking your friends out to eat is an act of creating community spaces. When everyone comes together to eat, differences are put aside during this shared experience, and the conversations the environment encou

The constantly evolving, commercialised nature of beauty standards has propagated an insidious culture of having to conform to a set of constructs to feel “accepted” by society. Detrimental impacts often accompany these standards on one's mental and physical well-being. Therefore, it is essential that we remain wary of the unattainable or unhealthy beauty standards presented in our media-saturated world and learn to avoid them.  Historically, beauty standards emerged from var

How do you feel when looking in the mirror? Dissatisfaction? Roughly one in five adults feel shame about their body (Mental Health Foundation. (n.d.). New body image statistics.). Firstly, we need to know what Body Image entails, which can be defined as a person’s “inside view” – or feelings, perceptions, thoughts and beliefs – of their body. Body image can be positive, neutral or negative and fluctuate regularly. (The Conversation. 2021, April 15). Thus, it’s imperative for

Proper nutrition is achieved when we consume appropriate food that allows us to carry out our everyday activities through the nourishment of our bodies (Carpenter et al., 2024). With proper nutrition, we can feel better physically and mentally; not only does it help to safeguard us from illnesses but it also protects our cognitive function (Selhub, 2022).  For example, did you know that certain vitamins are paramount in maintaining a healthy nervous system, which includes our

We often hear the expression ‘you are what you eat’, a succinct reminder that the products we ingest are intrinsically connected to our physical and mental health. The nutrients we derive from our meals are the building blocks for vital metabolic processes in our body. Knowing what is in our food by understanding its nutritional content is crucial for making informed dietary choices and, thus, ensuring overall health and well-being.   Our food contains various macronutrients,

To the Singaporean workforce, work-life balance is often something of a dream. Some reasons people disregard this balance can be being...

Have you ever felt rushes of shame, playfulness or vulnerability that made you think, “I feel like a kid”, but you’re not sure why? ...

Are you taking yourself too seriously? Well, here are some signs you might be: (a) holding high expectations for yourself  (b) often...

Whether you are a concerned parent, fun-loving aunt or uncle, or even pursuing a career with children involved, here is a guide to...

Animal lovers, rejoice! Singapore offers a range of exciting and unique opportunities to interact with animals this summer. Whether...

Old habits die hard. But you might be thinking, why do we have to let go of knowledge that we worked hard to learn? In this guide, we...