“2020 has been a stressful year”, feels like the understatement of the century. Already, 2020 didn’t have a fantastic start, from the wildfires that ravaged Australia in January to the quiet, sinister beginnings of the worldwide pandemic that followed in the next few months. It’s been close to a year, and we can promptly throw that whole 20/20 vision thing we had so much hope for in 2019 out a socially distanced window.
If you’ve been reeling from this roller coaster of a year—you’re not the only one. From the frantic buying of masks to living the shut-in life of Circuit Breaker to adjusting to the new normal of Phase 2 (possibly Phase 3 soon?), 2020 has been a piece of work, and she knows it. So, if your anxiety has been at an all-time high and is in desperate need for a relax-calm-down-chill-pill, we have 8 Places for you to find your inner zen (or chill the f*ck out, whichever aligns your chakras better) because, well, you deserve it for making it this far.
1. Bask in the salt-filled rooms of Pablo Blau and get a halotherapy facial
Nothing soothes the frazzled soul like a well-deserved facial, and the good folks of Pablo Blau are here to melt your stress away or rather, salt your stress away. As Singapore’s first luxury salt spa, Pablo Blau mimics the conditions of a salt cave that come with a multitude of healing properties. Bask in the impressive salt lounges where it purportedly can also clear your sinuses—it’s a zen win-win.
Come out of the Pablo Blau feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and maybe forget that we are in the middle of a global pandemic. If you would like to know more about the lavish treatment, read all about our writer’s experience over on our sister site at HYPE & STUFF.
2. Sound baths
Before you scowl and decry all this New Age twaddle, hear me out. There is some logic to this woo-woo nonsense: sound therapy has been around since the Ancient Greeks where they used flutes to help ease digestion, and Tibetan monks used singing bowls for meditation (which has a whole host of benefits itself). If that doesn’t sound (get it, get it) like something that would help you zen-out, then honestly, nothing else will.
Essentially a sound bath uses repetitive sounds are used to get you into a meditative state where you’ll feel all ‘good vibrations’. Those reverberations allow for deep relaxation and ease you into that peaceful and mindful state.
We particularly like the one from The Singing Bowl Gallery where they conduct sessions (S$30) every Monday and Wednesday for you to find that inner peace Master Shifu from Kung Fu Panda is always droning on about. You can go ahead and book your classes here.
3. Take a soak at a Japanese onsen
If there is anywhere to escape and find some inner zen and peace, it is at the Japanese spa. Yunomori Onsen is where you can have a long, relaxing, and languid soak in a Japanese onsen right here in Singapore.
If you didn’t know already, going to a Japanese onsen is an Adam and Eve situation in deliciously heated pools of water. Which, in my opinion, can be a very freeing experience in itself but if you are still a little shy, Yunomori Onsen provides onsen-apropos garments so you can still enjoy the pleasures of the onsen.
At about S$40 for a day-pass, your day of relaxation awaits.
4. Spinning at Zouk—or anywhere really
A pivot that was an ingenious move on Zouk’s part because why spin at your regular studio when you can do it at Zouk? In collaboration with Absolute Cycle, Zouk has now transformed into a spin studio with the same strobe lights and heart-pumping music that spin studios are so well known for.
For those that used to dance all their troubles away in a club, now, you can sort of do the same thing on a spin bike which you’d have to agree, is much healthier. It’s the same heart-pumping excitement in the club albeit on a spin bike, ride like the wind here.
5. Seek solace in Mother Nature
Here is an option that is entirely free, relaxing, and allows you to clear your head—a hike. Yes, I know. Exercise—again. That rush of endorphins is unmistakable, and if you do find yourself in a slump, a trip away to some of the lush hiking trails will undoubtedly do you some good.
As someone who enjoys a hike now and then, I would recommend Mount Faber or Coney Island for beginners and Bukit Timah for anyone who wants a challenge. Those stairs are a killer on the old gams, but the feeling of reaching the top is indeed like no other.
Put on your favourite podcast and spend some time with Mother Nature. Just as Elle Woods so astutely argued: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t kill their husbands, they just don’t”. Exactly, they don’t.
6. Work through your frustrations at The Fragment Room
Yes, smashing stuff seems like the antithesis of calm, relaxation, and zen. Of course, one needs to work through their frustrations in a pandemic to achieve that inner peace.
Had to cancel that trip to Europe? SMASH.
Wearing a mask all day giving you maskne? SMASH.
Furiously waiting for Phase 3 that never seems to be announced? SMASH.
You know, the day-to-day frustrations we all face.
Prices start from S$38 per person, or if you’d like to work through your frustration in a pairs or bigger group, prices range from S$75 to S$160.
7. Sit in front of the S.E.A Aquarium
This is truly the epitome of a relaxing personal ‘me time’ activity that I wish I had more time for. If you feel like all the world’s calamity is rushing at you all at once and you need to turn off, the S.E.A Aquarium will give you that calm and relaxation that you so desperately need.
With majestic and mysterious jellyfish floating in tanks to the hypnotising other-worldly marine life, it’s an escape like no other. My favourite is, of course, the Open Ocean Habitat which as the centrepiece of S.E.A Aquarium with a magnificent, sweeping ocean scenery doesn’t ever disappoint.
You’ll be bathed in the calming blue light and be utterly mesmerised with sliver glints of different schools of fish and each majestic yet slightly dangerous turn of sharks that inhabit the tank. Given COVID-19 regulations, you’ll have to plan your visit, which means fewer children screaming their heads off and in a way, makes it easier for you to reach that zen calm.
8. Travel to an island to escape the crowds
Since nearly the entire population is going to be living out their Bali trip on Siloso or Palawan beach, you won’t get that tranquil peace you need if you want to spend lazy beach afternoon doing nothing. Turns out, there there are a couple of neighbouring islands for that relaxing beach getaway we all so urgently need.
For beach bums looking for a place to unwind, the increasingly popular Lazarus Island is a must-visit. A mostly uninhabited island with sandy, white beaches and crystal azure waters that scream expensive holiday. The only drawback is that there are barely any amenities on Lazurus Island, so remember to bring enough water and food.
You could take a 15-minute walk to St John’s Island, but I’d say pack you own. If you get bored of Lazurus Island, you can explore Kusu Island if you have a particular liking to tortoises or Sister’s Island to explore marine life.
To get these Southern islands, all you have to do is to book a S$15 round trip from Marina South Pier right here.
Whether you need to stare at some fishes in a giant tank or sign up for a sound meditation or run off to a neighbouring island to get away, there is no right way find your inner zen. Let us know if how you achieve that calm whether it be chilling on the beach or sweating it out in a spin studio.
