Singapore Consumer Interest Group

If you think about it, stress is naturally part of our lives. No matter how we put it, there will always be times when we get stressed. The problem now is if we get stressed too often. Sometimes it can be so bad that it can negatively affect our health and relationships already. But how do you know if you’re dealing with too much stress already? Here are some signs to look out for.

Getting sick often

One of the most common signs that you’re under too much stress is that you get sick more frequently. Stress has a direct connection to one’s immune system. If you’re under too much stress or you get stressed for long periods, your immune system will slowly get weaker and weaker. Naturally, a weakened immune system makes you more vulnerable to sickness. You’ll notice that you get colds or the flu more often. You may even develop detrimental health issues in the future if you don’t relieve your stress from time to time.

Having difficulty sleeping

Although it’s pretty common for Singaporeans to sleep late, not many have a problem with getting quality sleep. If you’re too stressed though, you’ll have difficulty sleeping and you won’t enjoy a deep, quality sleep as well. This is because having too much stress hormones will tip the balance of wakefulness and sleep.  When you notice that you suddenly have a hard time sleeping, even when you’re a good sleeper, this might be because you’re too stressed. Of course, it is important to remember that stress might not be the only cause of sleep problems.

You have changes in appetite

If a person is under a lot of stress, he/she will either have no appetite at all or will stress-eat for the whole day. Multiple studies have already looked into the possible connection between stress levels and appetite changes. In one study, for example, about 80% of the participants reported changes in their appetite. It’s also been found that people are more likely to have an increase in appetite. People under certain amounts of stress showed signs of eating without even being hungry.

You start having brain fog

Another common sign of too much stress is if you have brain fog. This means you’ll usually forget things or you’ll have a bit of difficulty making quick decisions. This often comes as a result of the points mentioned above as well. If you don’t have enough sleep and have a bad appetite, the more likely that you’ll have brain fog. This has a lot to do with the effects of the stress response on the brain. Having too much stress hormones not only makes your body feel tired, it also leaves the brain feeling drained.

If you’ve spent quite a lot of time exercising, you should already know of the importance of warming up. But if you think about it, we rarely see people do stretches after their workouts. More people need to know about the many benefits of actually stretching after each workout. If you lift weights in a gym or jog how many kilometers in Singapore, here are some great reasons to stretch after doing so.

It allows the body to cool down

Exercising will naturally put a certain amount of stress on your body. That is simply why you feel sore and fatigued after workouts. By stretching, you can help ease the muscles and joints even after having them do strenuous work. Another thing, if you don’t do cooldowns, your heart will pump out blood as if you were still exercising. This can be dangerous in some cases because your heart will circulate too much blood even if your body is already at rest.

It can help reduce the risk of pain and injury

Although stretching won’t completely eliminate the pain and soreness, it can reduce their effects and help you recover more quickly. When you stretch after exercise, you can get rid of the tightness in the muscles. This is essentially the best you can do after an intense workout. Speaking of which, it’s the tightness of the muscle that can lead to injury in the future. That means you’ll have to warm up for longer the next day because your muscles remained stiff the previous day.

It helps eliminate lactic acid

If you’re a bodybuilder, for example, you’d usually go to the gym to have a “pump”. For those who don’t know, a pump is basically the feeling of having sore yet big muscles due to the workout. This feeling is caused by the build-up of lactic acid in the muscles. Although lactic acid is essential for muscle growth, having too much of it can damage the muscles. That’s why you need to find a way to get rid of excess lactic acid immediately. And that can be done simply through stretching!

Stretching will give you more flexibility

When talking about stretching, there’s already no argument that it can improve flexibility. If you get used to stretching, not only will you have a better range of motion, you’ll also have greater strength. It will be easier to bend, squat, and other related movements. That means it will also be easier for you to lift certain weight without worry about injury. If you’re flexible enough that your body can support any type of movement, you can also be just as strong.

You will often hear the word contouring from makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts these days but what is it and why are people obsessed with it?

Structure and highlights

Not everyone is blessed with killer cheekbones and supermodel jawlines, which is why contouring became popular because it is a method that improves the structure of the face by bringing out the best features and slightly changing the flaws. With so many choices in makeup forms and finishes today, it is possible to transform to a completely different person.

Tools for contouring

The idea of shaping your face to resemble a supermodel, however, is challenged by some makeup artists because it’s not about the cheekbones anymore. You do not need a plethora of cosmetics to look great. In fact, some beauty experts insist on only two essential items: highlighter and shading powder or cream. Just remember that there is no one formula for this, so you can add more to the list if you want.

Choosing the color

One shade for contouring will not work well, so you probably need to mix and experiment with different shades. If you have a light skin tone, look for taupe. If you have a medium tone, go for bronzes. For dark skin tones, you need to focus on picking the correct highlighter instead that will add sheen.

Mapping your face

Your natural bone structure should serve as a guide where to highlight and add more details. Pay attention to the sides of your temples, the hollows on your cheeks, the sides of your nose, your hairline, and under your jawline. You do not need to contour all of these, by the way but only the areas that you think need more detail to stand out.

Build it up

Start with a base of foundation, concealer, and translucent powder (in that order) for a smooth, clean face. Next, you can use wither a matte powder or a creamy powder to contour depending on your skin type but you should avoid shimmer finishes. Apply the contour using a fan brush or a blending brush to make blending easier.

Using circular motions, add more color to the areas you have mapped out on your face, but do not forget to feather details on the hairline, around the cheekbones, and into the hairline so that the transition looks smooth. Remove any excess right away with a cotton pad or damp sponge, then build and buff as you go.

Highlight it

Highlighting is an important part of contouring because it lightens areas not darkened by contouring. How do you pick which areas need highlighting? Again, you need to map out your face and imagine where light would naturally hit. This means you need to highlight the top of the cheekbones, your brow bone, nose bridge, the center of your forehead, the center of your chin and the top of the cupid’s bow. You do not need to highlight all of them, however.

This has been a great year for video games with the lineup of excellent single-player experience that show they are here to stay despite the number of less impressive multiplayer games. Here are the best releases that you might have missed.

God of War

Garnering the most GOTY awards, this soft reboot and sequel has an overhauled combat system. Kratos begins a new adventure with his son Atreus.

Tetris Effect

Who knew that an old game can still be amazing especially when played on VR? Its strength lies on the hypnagogic imagery we are all familiar with when we’re so immersed in a game.

Octopath Traveler

The beautiful art style alone should tell you what an amazing experience this turn-based RPG is. You play as one of the eight characters from different backgrounds and with various abilities.

Detroit: Become Human

This adventure game is an experience you have to try for yourself to see how amazing it is. The fate of three androids is in your hands as you pick from different dialogue choices.

Moss

VR gaming is still in its infancy that is why this indie game flew under the radar. But gamers and critics have recognized the charms of Quill’s adventures in a mysterious land.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

What better way to experience history (it’s based on 15^th century Bohemia) than through a classless system and build your reputation and skills through decisions and relationships. If you are bored of the usual RPGs, then this game is a breath of fresh air.

Celeste

Indies have also made a statement in 2018, and this platforming game was considered one of the best. You get to control Madeline as she tries to survive in Celeste Mountain.

Into the Breach

If you love challenging board games such as chess, then give this one a try. This turn-based strategy pits you against giant monsters and lets you operate customizable mechs.

Dead Cells

Rougelike and metroidvania games are here to stay especially after the success of this game. You control a group of cells that in turn control a corpse and collect items and abilities that you can use or spend later.

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire

If you loved the first game, this sequel will not disappoint. There are familiar faces and new companions in this seafaring adventure.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Considered the prequel to the first RDR game, you control Arthur Morgan in a beautiful and vast open world of the Wild West. You’ll happily sink hours into this game.

Monster Hunter: World

What better way to hunt monsters in a beloved franchise than in the new generation of consoles and PC?

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

This is one of the most successful fighting game series around, and why not? There are tons of beloved characters to choose from.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

The AC franchise isn’t dead yet and you’ll be surprised how much time you’ll sink into this huge game. No kidding, the map is huge.

Marvel’s Spider-Man

The web-swinging mechanics in the open-world New York City is perfect in this game for any Spider-Man fan. Plus, the story is an original not tied to other stories about the hero and the man.

Life in Singapore can be a little different as most people spend their time in buildings and underground rather than outside. Now why is that? Well, this is mostly because of the fact that the major places in Singapore are mostly connected by a train system. Trains in Singapore can help you get to almost anywhere you would want to go. Singapore is such a small place that it is rumoured that you could go around Singapore in just a day.

That saying is most likely to be true because of the train system that links everything to everything making it not a problem at all to get to where you want to go. Singapore is known to be very efficient which means that time spent on transportation is something you would want to reduce. Called the MRT and LRT, Singapore’s train system has about six routes in which one of them helps you get from the Changi Airport all the way to the Tuas Link on the other side.

When it comes to traveling by an MRT or LRT, you wouldn’t have to worry about it not being able to reach your desired location as there are MRT and LRT stops almost everywhere. It may be a bit difficult at first to find your way around, which specific MRTs or LRTs to ride, which stations to get off to, and maybe even how to deal with the busy crowd when it comes to public transportation.

Singaporeans walk fast which usually means that to get to a certain place, they would like to use the fastest means of transport available. The bus is still of great use to Singaporeans and they cover some of the places where the MRTs and LRTs won’t be able to reach. Getting from place to place in Singapore may involve a little bit of walking but once you get used to it and know where to look for the nearest MRTs and LRTs, getting around won’t be too bad.

The life in Singapore is oftentimes very busy, but do not forget to take a walk every once in a while maybe in your local park or a couple of blocks nearby. Public transportation may be really fast in Singapore but to be able to appreciate the beauty around, sometimes you have to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy Singapore.

The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is often recommended among beginner bird owners because it’s a hardy bird that is easy to care for. That doesn’t mean, however, that you should not provide it with the best possible home and food you can provide.

Proper Housing

Zebra finches are usually kept in pairs, because they need company all the time. If you do not want them to breed, however, you should not keep a pair of male and female zebra finches because they can produce offspring really fast. Ideally, a pair should be housed in a large aviary housing or a flight cage.

The bigger the wire cage, the better, because they need a large area for flying and hopping around. After all, zebra finches are active species that love to play and sing. The base of the cage must have sand sheets, bird sand or loose sand that is kept clean regularly. Place their food and water in glass bowls or dishes instead of plastic in one corner of the cage designated as a feeding area. The zebra finch will also need a different source of water for bathing, which can be provided either through a separate water dish or a plant spray.

Diet and Nutrition

Besides the usual diet of seeds and finch mix seeds, you should also supplement their food with grit, cuttlefish bone, oyster shells or charcoal, millet sprays, spinach, bread crumbs, corn bread, mashed hard-boiled eggs, and most fruits and vegetables except those listed below.

The grit, oyster shells, and charcoal are used by the bird to grind down the seeds in their gizzards, while the cuttlefish bone is their primary source of calcium. It will not need any food supplement as long as it has a healthy, varied diet. Fresh, clean water should also be provided all the time. However, you should avoid feeding the zebra finch the following: lettuce, rhubarb, avocado, onion, citrus fruits, and anything that contains caffeine or are too acidic.

Health and Care

The zebra finch does not like being handled all the time, although you can train them while they are still young to perch on your shoulders. However, they are not trainable like some parrot species and are more likely to get stressed or frightened if you try to be too friendly with them.

The most common illnesses can be avoided through proper housing and diet. If you place a band on its leg, however, you need to monitor signs of swelling, which might be caused by poor blood circulation. Because of its small size, you should also avoid letting your pet play with strings or any item that can tangle around its neck and feet. Other than its fragile legs, you should also care for its nails by clipping them if they get too long and watch out for the symptoms of air-sac mite infection.

If you’re feeling left out still not having found your special someone, take some comfort in knowing that you are not alone. In fact, a 2014 Gall up marital status study conducted in the U.S shows that only 64% of millennials are in any kind of relationship. That means more than a third of us are in the single’s boat.

Of course, there are tons of benefits to being and staying solo–but so does having a permanent companionship. In today’s generation, finding and being a potential partner is quite of a challenge, so if you’re on this path, here are science-backed ways to improve your chances of finding a suitable partner online and off.

Dating Online

No matter what dating app you use, it takes time and right approach to earn a date. In an article published in modernman.sg, people who get online dating work for them have a strategy that is unique from the rest of the competition.

Dr. Justine Lehmiller, a dating expert, suggests elemental tips he drew out from the 86 scientific studies on how people can get better at online dating.

• Have an attractive profile picture. You should pick something that gives off the impression that you’re attractive and friendly, by striking a genuine smile. According to studies, this feature is scientifically wired to positive impression, which is obviously what you want. The lights and angle matter, too! Should you want to upload a group photo, choose one where you’re positioned in the middle and the photo exudes a positive vibe that shows you are cool and fun to be around. 

• Have an engaging biography. Make your bio be a solid mixture of who you are and what you’re searching for. Studies suggests that the optimal ratio of your profile description is 70% personal info and 30% what you want in a partner. Personal information should emphasize activities you enjoy and less of your accomplishments as it would seem you have inflated ego where everything is all about you.

• Inject some humor in your profile. Being funny is one of the top 3 traits both gender (regardless of sexual orientation) is looking for in a partner as resulted from a worldwide survey (representing 53 countries) by Archives of Sexual Behavior. Although studies back this one up, it’s a no-brainer that a great sense of humor is sexy! Be that as it may, don’t post something like, “I’m funny,” because it doesn’t present any evidence that indeed you are! You can inject humor through jokes or witty statements, you got to give it a try!

Dating Offline

Anyone who has been on a handful of dates can tell you what you should and should not do on a date. But in reality, what will and will not work heavily lies on the person you are with. To figure this out would mean listening attentively (stop checking your phone and talking about yourself the whole time) and understanding your date’s body language.

• Go beyond food and drinks. Typical dates might be grabbing a drink or a bite. They’re pretty safe but as Psychologist and couple counselor Wyatt Fisher explains, these activities can quickly become awkward as they are extreme than a circumstance where the focus is something else other than yourselves. Fisher suggests activities like concerts, bowling or comedy shows—alternative source of entertainment when awkward silence occurs.

• Be in the moment. It’s undebatable that having someone who shows genuine interest in what you’re talking about and who is present in the moment is desirable. According to Samantha Joel, Ph. D. of University of Texas in Austin, “demonstrating an interest in what another person’s saying and being mindful of their sensitivities before inserting your own opinion are desirable qualities anyone would want in a mate.” So refrain from talking more of yourself and constantly checking your gadget.

Singapore is home to two luxury major airlines around the world namely Silk Air and Singapore Airlines and though people do not talk much about the Singaporean skies, they should definitely see what Singapore has to offer. There are a lot of pilots in Singapore and there are available cadet programs for those bold souls who dream about the skies from the ground where they stand.

A cadet program is where a certain airline company helps a certain student to become a pilot all the way from the finances up until the connections and though these programs may seem kind and generous, they are very hard to apply for. Becoming an aviation student in Singapore is very advantageous should you want to work anywhere else in the world because of the standard and the reputation that you are bringing with you.

Now how about those who enjoy casual flying and not just those who want to take up becoming a pilot as their career? Well, let’s start with Singapore Airlines! Singapore Airlines was founded way back in the 1940s but we will spare you the details and cut straight to how you are going to enjoy your experience at the Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines was the launch customer for the Airbus A380 which is considered the world’s largest passenger plane and if the small size of this country amazes you, the size of this aircraft will amaze you! The thing about Singapore Airlines is that they bring affordable luxury to the regular people and not just to the elites when it comes to flying, although for those who do not see money as a problem, Singapore Airlines is still really good for them.

Silk Air on the other hand is one of the more popular airlines by reputation as they tend to invest more on the elite customers and although they may be very expensive, you will see why. Have you ever ad airplane food that tasted bad? Almost all the time right? Not for Silk Air, even the smallest details as to the food are made sure to be served at perfection.

From the food alone, you could tell that your flight experience would be amazing. Flying in Singapore is not as hard as it is for other countries as Singaporeans are privileged with a passport which allows them to travel very easily. Make sure to make the most out of your Singaporean passport and experience Singapore not just on land, but in the skies as well.

Whisky is one of the most popular spirits, but most people know it because it’s used in cocktails.

How Whisky is Made

Whisky or whiskey (scotch from Scotland and bourbon from US) is made from grain, yeast, and water, but the different types are distinguished by the grains used. The most common are barley, wheat, rye, and corn. However, all whisky is aged in wooden barrels or casks. Today there are at least 14 types of whisky classified based on the region where it was made, but the process of making the whisky is nearly identical.

First, the grain is germinated in a process called malting and then mashed or the combination of ground malt with water. The product of mashing is the wort. Next, yeast is added to the wort for fermentation. The time for fermentation varies among the distilleries, and then the liquid is distilled to remove the impurities. Some distill whisky twice or thrice. Finally, the whisky is matured by storing them in casks, usually oak. Whisky has a minimum of three years of maturation before it is bottled.

The Benefits of Whisky

When consumed in moderation, whisky is known for its stress-reducing abilities. Unlike beer, a glass of whisky won’t make you fat because it doesn’t contain sugar and instead has ellagic acid which can help control glucose production in the liver. Because it has antioxidants, too, whisky is good for boosting memory, controlling cholesterol levels, boosting the immune system, and slowing down the effects of aging.

Whisky Food Pairings

Pairing food with whisky can be tricky as the flavors and aromas have different effects, but generally, lightly sweet whisky are best paired with creamy and lightly flavored dishes, while medium-bodied whisky is best suited for smoked, roasted, seared or braised dishes. Light whisky can be paired with sushi, creamy cheese, crab, smoked salmon, and cranachan, while medium-bodied whisky is best consumed with smoked mussels, oysters, bacon, duck, venison, and scallops.

Full-bodied whisky should be paired with roasted, grilled, and baked dishes as well as richly-flavored food. Try mince or pecan pies, dark chocolate, toffee pudding, gingerbread, roast venison, and seared steak. Strong whisky on the other hand need equally tasty food that will not be overpowered by the drink such as strong blue cheese, mature cheddar, hot-smoked salmon, anchovy spreads or dips, and haggis.

The Best Whisky Cocktails

If you don’t like whisky on the rock, try these cocktail recipes instead:

• Cameron’s Kick: 1 ounce Irish whisky, 1 ounce blended scotch, .5 ounce orgeat, and .5 ounce lemon juice
• Old-Fashioned Espresso: 1 ounce rye whiskey, 1 double shot espresso, .25 ounce simple syrup, 1 lemon peel, and 1 dash Peychaud’s bitters
• Blinker: 2 ounce rye whiskey, .5 ounce grapefruit juice, .25 ounce raspberry syrup, and grapefruit twist for garnish
• Carthusian Sazerac: 2.5 ounce rye whiskey, .50 ounce simple syrup, .25 ounce green chartreuse, 2 dashes lemon bitters, absinthe rinse, and 1 lemon twist
• Sage-Germain Sour: 2 ounces Irish whisky, .5 ounce honey-sage syrup, .75 ounce lemon juice, and .25 ounce St-Germain
• Ginger Highball: 2 ounces whisky, 3 ounces ginger ale, and 3 lemon slices