If You’re Feeling Stressed, Science Says ART Could Be The Answer

If you constantly find yourself bogged down by stress, the good news is that you’re not alone. In fact, Singapore is known to have one of the highest stress levels in the world amongst both The fresco atop the Sanctuary of Vicoforte[/caption]

Make Art, Not War

In addition to viewing art, making art has also proven effective in reducing stress levels regardless of one’s creative ability.

A Making art can significantly reduce stress[/caption]

By testing the participants’ cortisol levels before and after the creative exercise, the research found that 75 per cent of participants reported lower cortisol levels regardless of past art experience.

What’s more telling was a consistent correlation between younger participants and reduced cortisol levels, suggesting that art’s ability to decrease stress may greatly benefit younger people.

The study’s author Girija Kaimal offered an explanation for this, hypothesising that older people who have had years of experiencing stress may have developed strategies to cope with stress while younger adults are still figuring out their way through life.

Either way, producing art and delving into creative activity has shown to benefit those undergoing stress regardless of one’s gender or media preference.

With the many health risks associated with stress, it’s important to acknowledge it and to take steps that help relieve pressure.

If you’re feeling stressed out, remember that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. With the stress-relieving benefits of art, try checking out a nearby gallery or art workshops that might interest you over the weekend, and who knows, you might discover a hidden talent.

If you’re not sure where to start, check out A List Singapore’s

This article was brought to you by A List Singapore.

Snapchat Now Lets You Shazam Songs Directly From Its App

Music identification tool Shazam has partnered with Snapchat to allow users to recognise new music without having the leave the popular social app.

By pressing and holding onto the Snapchat camera screen, users can now find out the artist and song title of nearby music.

Users can also find out more about the song by clicking ‘Song info’, which includes an image of the artist, click-through buttons to Apple Music and Spotify, a preview of the lyrics and its music video. Additionally, users can find their previously Shazam-ed songs under Settings.

Snapchatters can also send their friends an image of their discoveries as ‘Snaps’ and can be used in conjunction with the new Groups feature.

[caption id="attachment_2588" align="alignnone" width="3156"] Screengrabs of Shazam within the Snapchat app[/caption]

Snapchat introduced Groups to allow users to chat and send snaps with up to 16 friends at once. Group chat messages disappear after 24 hours, and can only be played and replayed once.

Both the Shazam and Group functions are included in the latest update for the Snapchat app.

The Ultimate Gift Guide For Every Girl In Your Life This Christmas

Last week, we released the best Christmas gift guide ever for them dudes. Just to remind all of you lazy folks out there that your cash isn’t gonna spend itself, we present: “The Ultimate Gift Guide For Every Girl In Your Life This Christmas.”

The mythical Female is one we’ve yet to properly figure out. But we think we’ve done a solid-ish job in managing to break down this enigmatic entity into different sub-groups (just like we did for guys) – we hope. This way, it won’t matter if your special lady is into French toast or French literature, we’ve got the perfect gift for each type. Whether you’re looking to get a gift for mother dearest, yo’ boo or your BFFLE, this special lady deserves a special present. So treat her like royalty and use our list to get her an exquisite gift that will show her just how much she means to you.

1. The Reader

The literary goddess. Every time you meet her, she’s carrying a different book and you start to wonder if she’s like Mike Ross or something and is able to read a gazillion words a minute. She reads anything from Ancient Greek Epics to Postmodern poems. Ask her what her favourite fragrance is and she’ll tell you it’s the smell of a new book – that’s not a perfume. If you didn’t realise.

The Gift: Books Actually Box

[caption id="attachment_2548" align="aligncenter" width="373"] Image: Books Actually[/caption]

Local bookstore Books Actually just recently launched their box that comes with a book and small gifts handpicked by some of their curators. You get to choose which “Books Actually Elf” most identifies with you and from there, they’ll send you a book every month. This way she gets a surprise and a new book monthly.

Price: S$129.00 for a 3-month subscription

Where: Books Actually

 

2. The Fitspo

Buy her Under Armour apparel and she’ll get offended (come on man, it’s Lululemon that she wants). She goes to the gym, she runs, she does Pilates and she does Yoga. She’s probably also en route to becoming a certified Yogi. Acai bowls are her go-to snack. I mean they are pretty damn tasty.

The Gift: Made Real Healthy Snack Box

[caption id="attachment_2549" align="aligncenter" width="467"] Image: Made Real[/caption]

Based on whatever her nutritional needs are you can choose a collection of mid-day snacks – anything from Arab Dates to Gula Melaka Cookies. These snacks have no MSG, colouring or high fructose corn syrup. Super healthy for the super woman. She’ll go nuts for this gift. Heh heh. (Don’t ever use that joke on her. Ever.)

Price: S$24.90 per box with 6 items per box

Where: Made Real

 

3. The Hipster

(DISCLAIMER: Our attempted definition of The Hipster below merely seeks to outline some very general parameters. Because if we could truly define The Hipster, then well, she wouldn’t be hip anymore would she? Besides, no real Hipster identifies as a, “Hipster.” Amirite?)

Where does she shop? Haji Lane and local online blogshops. Where does she eat? Barring the soft spot she has for this one particular coffee shop, she probably tries a new cafe every week. What apps does she have on her phone? Photo-editing apps. A lot of them. This girl is beyond cool- she’s trendy, edgy, mysterious and definitely not mainstream. Don’t even try putting a label on her; leave that evil business to us.

The Gift: Polaroid Snap

[caption id="attachment_2550" align="aligncenter" width="469"] Image: Digital Camera HQ[/caption]

Polaroid has just recently recreated their classic camera, making instant photo-taking not only real cool, but also, real hip. The camera perfectly blends its vintage, minimalist design with new technology. It comes with 3 different colour modes: Colour, black & white and vintage sepia and it captures images in 10 megapixels. And come on, we all know how cool snaps of polaroid photos look on the ‘gram.

Price: S$198.00

Where:  Image: Naiise[/caption]

Local company Snupped‘s drawstring bag just screams zany. It’s bright, it’s covered in fluorescent colours and it’s got the word, ‘BITCH’ printed right across it. This is perfect for her day outings and perfect for showing people that though she may look kiiiinda kookie, she’s actually one badass. To complement her look, pick up some accessories from Naiise. They sell an assorted collection of funky pins, collar pins and collar clips/brooches that will look swee on this gurl.

Price: S$26.40 for the bag, S$4.30 to S$48.00 for the accessories

Where: Naiise – Snupped BITCH! Drawstring Bag, Accessories

 

5. The Bazaar Goer

If it’s a Sunday, she’s probably at a pop-up flea market somewhere in Gillman Barracks or the Goodman Arts Centre. She loves her homemade, artisanal jams and supports local, small-time jewellers who make their own earrings.

The Gift: Basic Silversmithing (Pendant Edition) Workshop

[caption id="attachment_2551" align="aligncenter" width="419"] Image: Naiise[/caption]

I’m sure she’s fascinated by small-time stall owners and the craft they partake in – I mean who wouldn’t be? With this workshop, run by local silversmithing company Fat Anvil Studios, she’ll finally get to learn the techniques and skills needed to forge her own pendant from silver or brass. What’s more, she’ll get to make a piece to keep for herself. Soon, you might see her setting up her own stall too.

Price: S$100.00 per person, on the 8th of January 2017

Where: Class will be at Sin Ming Lane. You can purchase a spot from Naiise.

 

6. The Adventurous One

Air conditioning? Please, there’s nothing like the wonders of nature – the cool breeze gently stroking your skin, the smell of pastures green, the glowing, radiant sun warming your face. Safe to say, she doesn’t like sitting at a desk indoors. Don’t you dare ask her to climb Bukit Timah hill – dat sh*t easy yo. Her idea of a fun date: Late-night cycling from East Coast Park to the Marina Barrage. You skip legs day while she loves working them quads.

The Gift: Fitbit Gold Series

[caption id="attachment_2564" align="aligncenter" width="564"] Image: Fitbit[/caption]

Granted, most people want one of these. We’re saying that she, of all people, would really appreciate this gift. I mean this gift is pretty self-explanatory: it’s a fitness tracker. It literally will track how fit she is. Oh, and this one’s in gold too by the way. Fit and fly. Perfect combo.

Price: S$358.00 for the Fitbit Blaze, S$248.00 for the Fitbit Alta

Where:  Image: The French Cellar[/caption]

Local wine company The French Cellar provides you with the opportunity to get her a gift like no other. Every month, one of the 3-star Michelin sommeliers will select two bottles of wine for your lady, based on her taste. Handpicked, free bottles of wine? What about this gift won’t she like?

Price: S$109.00 to S$309.00 for 2 bottles of wine for one month

Where:  Image: GQ Magazine UK[/caption]

Now we know what you’re thinking – a coffee machine? Shouldn’t I be getting her a new pot or something? Being her special man means you need to be on your A-game when it comes to getting her a gift. Why try to compete with her endless knowledge of cooking appliances? You’ll probably only get her something she already has. Instead, get her something that’s a little tangential (but still highly relevant) to her passion. This machine will allow her to slowly brew a nice cup of coffee. Japanese company Kinto combines a glass carafe with a specially perforated stainless steel filter that will help her produce some quality, slow-brewed coffee. We’re sure this gift will keep her itchy, cooking hands at bay but will also pleasantly surprise her.

Price: ¥16,200 (approximately S$202.39)

Where:  Image: Amazon[/caption]

If she’s gonna be dancing, she’s gonna need some sick beats to dance to. This bluetooth speaker not only produces immaculate sound in all directions with its proprietary technology, it also looks good. Its chic, clean look will fit well into an array of decor styles. Not only will she impress people with her killer dance moves, she’ll also impress them with her gear.

Price: $343.66 USD

Where: Amazon

 

10. The Artist

She paints. She draws. She sketches. She visits galleries and exhibitions. And she attends talks by artists.

The Gift: Introductory Pottery Classes

[caption id="attachment_2555" align="aligncenter" width="390"] Image: Jadagram[/caption]

She’ll get to broaden her artistic horizon with this gift. It’ll give her the chance to explore a side of art that she probably hasn’t had much experience with. Artistic element aside, this gift is a great bonding activity for the both of you. You can laugh at your finished mug, which will probably look more like lump of hardened molten lava.

And– if you’re in a romantic relationship with this lady, we highly recommend you use this as an opportunity to recreate the pottery scene from Ghost. Because that is without a doubt, one of the most romantic movie scenes ever. Cue Unchained Melody.

Price: S$240 for 4 classes, per person

Where:  Image: The Peak Magazine[/caption]

With origins dating back to a family-owned tea importer nearly a hundred years ago, Gryphon Tea Company seeks to produce high-quality tea inspired by the rich cultures and tastes of Asia. You can buy food products like Straits Kaya or tea collection Di Tanjong Katong, a curation of 4 different teas. The company even provides a tea subscription so that she can get 2 boxes of curated teas every month. We don’t doubt that a gift from here will keep her detox-ified for a very long time.

Price: S$4.80 to S$8.00 for the Tea Collections/Food Products, S$79.80 to S$95.80 for the 3-month subscription

Where: 

This Singaporean Guy Proves That Marriage Proposals Are More Than Just The BTO

Whether it’s strangers with roses, flash mob dancers or a surprise on a yacht, Singaporean guys have gone above and beyond to make their proposals a memorable one.

But the days of viral marriage proposals in Singapore have somehow declined over the last two years, with the conversation switching to men skipping the whole ordeal and using a Build-To-Order (BTO) home application in its place.

With Singaporean guys getting a bad rep over this, one Johnathan Chua has taken it upon himself to prove that marriage proposals are not just about the BTO.

Watch how the day went below.

Chua and his girlfriend had been dating for 8 years before he surprised her at a church amongst her family and friends.

Under the pretence that there was a music video being filmed at the place of worship, Chua then grabs his guitar and begins singing a song he wrote for the occasion.

Chua also enlisted the help of Josh Wei, an artiste at Audio Technica and musical director for Gentle Bones, to provide string accompaniment for the occasion, while a children’s choir from the Singapore Show Choir Academy gave a vocal boost towards the end.

Much to the delight of loved ones and the relief of the future groom, the bride-to-be said ‘yes’ – I mean, how could one not after being played a song specially written for you?

I think that smile says it all.

Maximum effort, bro! (Thanks for spoiling market)

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New Research Says Hitting The Snooze Button Might Actually Benefit The Economy

We all know the feeling. The clock strikes 12 and work starts at 9am the next day, but for some reason rather than winding down, we bargain with ourselves that maybe just a couple of hours wouldn’t make a difference.

We then wake up hitting the snooze button on rounds that leave our parents or roommates wondering if we’d ever leave the bed.

Well it turns out, getting that extra shuteye might actually do a world of good for both yourself and the economy.

[caption id="attachment_2443" align="alignnone" width="3000"] Sleep like a baby, it’s good for the economy[/caption]

Lower productivity, more health risks

In a new study by

7 Date-Night Ideas in Singapore This DECEMBER To Look More Cultured Than You Are

Just as we did for November, we’ve compiled date-night ideas in Singapore this December that will make you appear more cultured than you’d be proud to admit.

Who could blame you? December is filled with events so basic that they are already etched in the calendars of your Snapchat-addicted friends.

Parties are one thing, but if you’re going to show your partner that there’s an arty side to all that fist-pumping, here’s your ultimate guide.

Here are 7 date ideas to show your arty-farty side this December.

1) MAAD Pyjamas Christmas Popup (Dec 2)

[caption id="attachment_2336" align="alignnone" width="794"]14937206_1151464121609933_7931242540450542774_n Image: Red Dot Design Museum Singapore[/caption]

Held at the Red Dot Design Museum, the Market of Artists and Designers (MAAD) returns with a Christmas market popup. The event is slated to feature products from over 130 participants, all based on the theme of Christmas. So if you and your partner are looking for gifts or decor, this may just be the place to do it.

When? December 2
Where? Red Dot Design Museum
Admission? Free

2) Gallery Light to Night Festival (Dec 2-4)

[caption id="attachment_2337" align="alignnone" width="1280"]Image: National Gallery Singapore Image: National Gallery Singapore[/caption]

In celebration of its first anniversary, National Gallery Singapore is throwing a massive party over two weekends. The first took place in November, but part two of the Gallery Light to Night Festival takes place across December 2-4. Visitors can feasts their eyes on innovative and interactive installations, 3D projection shows, art markets, musical performance (including Nathan Hartono) and a Southeast Asian film series.

When? December 2-4
Where? National Gallery Singapore
Admission? Free (some events may be ticketed)

3) beCAUSE (Dec 2)

[caption id="attachment_2338" align="alignnone" width="910"]Image: HealthServe Image: HealthServe[/caption]

If you’ve never heard of Image: Singapore Dance Theatre Image: Singapore Dance Theatre[/caption]

Nothing rings in the Christmas cheer like Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, particularly in this Asian re-staging of the production. Set in pre-WWI Shanghai, this version of the popular ballet also features costumes designed by Singapore’s very own Aaron Yap.

When? December 7-11
Where? Esplanade Theatre
Admission? $30, $50, $70

5) Singapore Open Air Cinema Club (Dec 16)

[caption id="attachment_2341" align="alignnone" width="2030"]Image: Singapore Open Air Cinema Club Image: Singapore Open Air Cinema Club[/caption]

Held at The Hive on New Bridge Road, the Open Air Cinema Club screens a film every month on a rooftop with the CBD skyline as backdrop. For the month of December, relive your childhood Christmases with The Grinch, which will be screened on December 16. There will also be a Christmas market for any last minute Christmas shopping.

When? December 16
Where? The Hive Singapore
Admission? $15

6) Dining With A Conscience (Until Dec 10)

[caption id="attachment_2342" align="alignnone" width="2281"]Image: SPRMRKT Image: SPRMRKT Kitchen & Bar[/caption]

In support of Buying Happiness, a documentary by Singaporean filmmaker Mak CK, SPRMRKT initiated Image: Resort World Sentosa Image: Resort World Sentosa[/caption]

While many might be familiar with the story of Mulan from Disney’s version of the tale, Featured image

Carlsberg Will Hire You For S$20,000 To Drink Beer For 4 Hours

Back by popular demand, Carlsberg’s Probably The Best Job In The World campaign returns with twice the pay-off from last year – a sizeable S$20,000 for four hours of work.

That’s if you consider drinking beer for four hours work.

The campaign was first introduced in Singapore last year with social media manager Daniel Osgodby bagging the S$10,000 job.

Unlike most jobs, the role requires “zero experience”, a huge passion for the brand, and four hours in hand. The successful applicant will even be given a driver, so no transport is required. Applicants should also be 18 years and above.

[caption id="attachment_2123" align="aligncenter" width="537"]Image: Carlsberg Singapore (Facebook) Image: Carlsberg Singapore (Facebook)[/caption]

To qualify, applicants are required to answer three questions on the application form under 140 characters. The first question reads, “I’m probably the best applicant because…” while the second asks, “When I have a Carlsberg in my hand, I become…”

Lastly, the questionnaire quizzes applicants on the best song title that best describes how they feel when they drink Carlsberg.

Applications can be made

WhatsApp Introduces Video Calls For iOS, Android and Windows Users

WhatsApp announced earlier today that it will be introducing a video call function within its popular messaging app.

In doing so, the Facebook-owned messenger will allow over one billion of its users to connect across Android, iOS and Windows devices through instant video calls.

The introduction of voice calling was a welcomed function, used by many to bypass call charges and use their data allowance or Wifi connection instead.

Video calls would naturally take up more data but is a step-up in providing users with and added element of “face time”. The feature will compete directly with notable video calling apps such as Apple’s FaceTime and Microsoft’s Skype.

According to WhatsApp, their decision to include the video calling feature was in response to “many requests from our users”.

The app’s popularity began at the dawn of the modern smartphones, with its ability to operating software restrictions on Blackberry’s BBM and Apple’s iMessage, allowing users of any OS or phone manufacturer to connect via text.

It has now grown to become a ubiquitous software used by many for social and work purposes due to its effective Group Chat functions, and has a mainstay for years to come with its continuous updates and inclusion of new features.

It did however receive some backlash recently over privacy issues when it began asking permission for user’s data for ad targeting purposes.

These 4 Bad Habits Might Actually Mean You’re Smarter Than The Average Person

In our formative years, educators and parents have long endorsed an image of the ideal person we should grow up to be. Instilling habits such as tidying up after ourselves, sleeping on time and keeping away from the bottle are common practices in raising children.

While we absolutely do not condone encouraging any of the following habits amongst kids, it’s interesting to note the correlation between higher IQs and these “bad” habits.

Here are some bad habits that are linked to a higher-than-average IQ.

1) Drinking

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="450"] via Giphy[/caption]

A study in 2013 found a positive correlation between IQ level and moderate drinking on a regular basis. Interestingly enough, the study also found that individuals who identified as non-drinkers were found to have lower than average IQs.

Other studies have shown that intelligent children are more likely to drink as adults, while another found that individuals with IQ higher than 125 are more prone to drinking more than once a month compared to individuals with IQ levels lower than 75, who drank less than once a year.

2) Staying up late

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] via Giphy[/caption]

If you still live with your parents and they give you all kinds of shade for staying up late and waking up at lunchtime, you might have some science to justify yourself.

A study by the via Giphy[/caption]

Swearing, cursing and dropping F-bombs are social taboos in a range of settings like family dinners, business meetings and children birthday parties. But there’s some research to show that they’re not so bad after all.

While many believe that curse words are used because of a lack of vocabulary, a study on  via Giphy[/caption]

According to a study by the University of Minnesota, an untidy desk may actually pose some benefits.

While neat and tidy workspaces encourage good behaviour, messy settings at work or school actually promote creative thinking and the stimulation of new ideas.

The researchers added that disorderly environments have the ability to inspire a break from tradition, encouraging individuals to think outside the box and produce fresh insights.

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All in all, these habits DO NOT make you smarter, but do have positive correlations with intelligence. So, picking up these habits won’t change your intellect – just saying!

Instagram Stories Gets Some Pretty Awesome Features In New Update

Instagram has just announced several updates to the Stories section of its app, taking on a direction that will differentiate it a little bit more from Snapchat.

The Facebook-owned social media network introduced Instagram Stories with many noting its glaring similarities to Snapchat. It has been apparent for a year or so after Facebook’s failed attempt at acquiring Snapchat that it would build its own assets to compete.

The most notable of the updates relates to Boomerang, the popular standalone app that allows users to capture loops of fun moments and post them on Instagram. Instead of having to use a separate app, Instagram now allows users to capture Boomerang clips right from the main Instagram app, under the Stories section.

[caption id="attachment_1958" align="alignnone" width="1024"]tumblr_inline_ogdtzvesgy1svf3j7_540 Image: Instagram[/caption]

Another step Instagram has taken to differentiate further from Snapchat is the addition of “mentions” within Stories. Just like mentioning people using their @handles on photos and captions, users can now tag others onto their Stories. Usernames of those who are tagged will appear underlined within your story, and users will receive a direct message whenever they are tagged.

[caption id="attachment_1959" align="alignnone" width="1024"]tumblr_inline_ogdu0k36yw1svf3j7_540 Image: Instagram[/caption]

Last but certainly not least, Instagram is allowing users to add hyperlinks or “see more links” within their stories, allowing viewers to click through to a website to find out more. The feature is only currently available to verified users, but it will certainly provide an added dimension for users who follow their favourite celebrities.

[caption id="attachment_1960" align="alignnone" width="1024"]tumblr_inline_ogdu0c1fjo1svf3j7_540 Image: Instagram[/caption]