In a fast-paced society such as Singapore, it’s easy to develop exacerbated feelings of stress and anxiety. Which is why it’s important to engage in self-care, more so than ever. One of the easiest ways to do so is to take time off and spend some quality time with yourself. For those who are unsure how to spend your alone time, we’ve curated a list of me-time ideas you can do to rest and relax in Singapore.
Plug in your headphones and stroll the cool, quiet halls of the National Gallery looking at art. The Gallery is offering their Gallery Insider Membership for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents at just $20.
The annual programme provides unlimited access to exhibitions, up to 20% off when dining at the Gallery’s F&B establishments, and discounted prices when shopping museum merchandise.
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm (Saturdays to Thursdays) | 10am to 9pm (Fridays)
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When it comes to self-care, nothing screams TLC like a staycation. But if you prefer to have the itinerary of your stay planned out for you, Citadines has two packages focussed on your wellness from now till 9 July 2023.
A Mindful Mixology Weekender is held at Citadines Rochor Singapore, which includes a mixology workshop so you can live out any childhood aspirations of being a bartender. The package also features a sourcing tour in Little India located just a stone’s throw away from the property, and a Restorative Yoga session the next morning to stretch those muscle knots away.
If you prefer to be surrounded by nature, the Rest & Recharge package at Citadines Connect Rochester Singapore will help you with just that. Located near Rochester Park, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a Forest Bathing session which will get you up close and personal with greenery for health benefits. To cap off the stay, the Flower Printing workshop will let you flex your creativity through a mental break.
Staycation packages start from $485 nett and are available for Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) members — membership is free!
Citadines Connect Rochester Singapore
Address: 1 Rochester Park, Singapore 139212
Contact: 6434 7988
Citadines Rochor Singapore
Address: 2 Serangoon Rd, #02-08, Singapore 218227
Contact: 6329 2288
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Since you’ll need to focus on listening out for the birds instead of talking, birdwatching is a great way to spend some me time in Singapore. It’s also an easy way to reap the health benefits of spending time in nature. Not to mention, there is a certain pleasure in being able to identify the local winged fauna you see. Instead of referring to all of them as ‘bird’, download the SGBioAtlas app on your iPhone and learn the names of Singapore’s 414 recorded bird species.
To begin birdwatching, all you need are your eyes, ears and some patience. Bring a pair of binoculars or a camera with a good zoom function to better observe the birds. Use the NParks portal to check how crowded a park is before heading down. If it’s too crowded, parks will be temporarily closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Tip: The best time to birdwatch is from 7am to 9am as birds are most active in the mornings. Dress in colours like green or brown, and avoid wearing white, bright colours or printed clothing clothing for a higher chance of spotting birds.
Soothe aching muscles and soak your troubles away at Yunomori Onsen & Spa. Its $45++ onsen pass gives you all-day access to the Yunomori Baths, sauna (for the male onsen area only), steam room and lounge.
Due to safe distancing measures, the maximum number of guests in the female onsen and unisex steam room is 24 and 4 respectively. Remember to call ahead to guarantee yourself a slot.
Price: $45 (before GST)
Address: 1 Stadium Place, #02-17/18, Kallang Wave Mall, Singapore 397628
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Contact: Call 6386 4126/6385 7985 or email info@yunomorionsen.com.sg
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If you’re a beach bum, spending a day enjoying the sun, sand and sea is probably your ideal way to relax. While you can’t jet set to an overseas tropical island location for now, you can still go on an island hopping adventure by exploring 3 of Singapore’s Southern Islands.
From just $10, you can purchase a return ticket to St. John’s Island and Kusu Island. You can opt to visit Lazarus Island too, located a short 15-minute walk away from St. John’s Island. Spend a day hiking, picnicking and checking out local attractions. But do pack food and water as there aren’t any F&B options on the islands.
If you book via Klook, you’ll receive a $3 Gong Cha voucher you can redeem to end the day on a sweet note.
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Part of what makes travelling from Singapore so delightful is passing through Changi Airport. While we can’t board a plane to anywhere as and when we like for the time being, we can still pop by the airport and enjoy its world-class facilities as a way to savour some me time in Singapore.
Start your airport day trip at Jewel Changi’s Canopy Park. You can spend the better part of the morning navigating the hedge and mirror mazes, jumping on bouncing nets, and strolling along the various garden trails.
When you start to get hungry, grab a bite at Hub & Spoke Cafe, a cafe that takes design cues from a glasshouse. Sit by the floor-to-ceiling windows and watch the sunlight stream in, as you bite into local breakfast fare like Nasi Lemak with Fish & Otah ($6.90) or brunch classics such as Scrambled Egg on Toast ($6.90) and Eggs Benedict ($7.90).
Canopy Park at Jewel Changi Airport
Price: From $5; see the full list of different available attractions on its website
Address: 78 Airport Boulevard, level 5, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore 819666
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm (Monday to Thursdays) | 10am to 11pm (Fridays to Sundays)
Contact: Call 6956 9898 or fill in the enquiry form on its website
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Hub & Spoke Cafe
Address: 60 Airport Boulevard, 01-T2S-02, Kampong Changi, Singapore 819643
Opening hours: 7.30am to 8pm (Mondays to Thursdays) | 7.30am to 9.30pm (Fridays to Sundays)
Contact: Email hubandspoke@changiairport.com
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Pottery has been proven to provide emotional release by reducing mental strain while stimulating the creative mind.
Get positively messy with Arudio Studio‘s 3-hour sessions, where you can pick between Wheel Throwing or Hand Building trial classes. This is your chance to mould a housewarming gift for a friend, or a new addition to your home decor.
Arudio Macpherson
Price: $130/2 pax for a couple Wheel-Throwing Class ($70 for a single person sign-up)
Address: LTC Building C, 14 Arumugam Road, #08-07, Singapore 409959
Booking: Fill in the booking form here
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5.30pm (Monday to Friday) | 9.30am to 7pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Contact: Email arudioceramic@gmail.com
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Just like how we comply with COVID-19 prevention measures to keep our physical bodies safe, we have to take time off to recharge so that we can protect our mental health. Turn to these me time ideas for your next day off in Singapore and make the most of it.
This article was original written on 21 October 2020 and updated on 23 June 2023.
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