Posted by Editor | Comments Off on How Can I Resolve Workplace Conflicts Smoothly?
How Can I Resolve Workplace Conflicts Smoothly?
Whether you’re a Singaporean actor, office worker, surgeon, or etc., there will always be a time when you’ll encounter problems at your workplace. Of course, all of us would want to keep everything positive at work. If you often ask the question above (or even if you don’t), read on!
Listen
On one part of it, learning to listen well helps you avoid conflict in the first place. When it so happens that a problem arises and one person starts throwing heated words, listening attentively is the primary thing you should do. Making sure that you listen first keeps you from immediately retaliating and helps you catch any exaggerated statements or flaws in what the other person is saying. More importantly, listening is about better understanding the other person and what made him/her mad in the first place.
Resolve the issue only after calming down
Our emotions can easily cloud our judgement, especially in high-tension situations. That’s why it is important to wait and only discuss the issues after both sides have cooled down. Initially, it will be hard to calm a person down if he/she has already blown a fuse. If you’re directly involved in the argument, step out for a moment without making it look like you’re storming off by speaking calmly. This can allow time for the other person to calm down.
Stick to what actually happened
Oftentimes, when conflict arises in the workplace, we tend to give in to overthinking. This can be better explained through an example. Your officemate, Ryan, passes by and steps on your toes. Thinking about it for a second, you suddenly remember that you bested him in last week’s business tasks and think he’s just stepped on you for revenge. Being the impulsive person that you are, you suddenly lash out and spark a fight. Without even thinking if it was an accident, you give in to your negative thoughts so easily that it started a conflict. That is why it is important to focus only on what happened.
Refrain from using personal attacks
When you’re already in an argument, you must try your absolute best not to use personal attacks. You’re only drawing more negativity from the other person and it will make the resolving of the conflict significantly harder. Obviously, you cannot expect the other person to take it lightly if you include his/her personal life in a matter of business. Although you may be tempted to use ad hominem attacks especially in very heated scenarios, hold it off at all costs!
Never leave a conflict unresolved
Leaving a conflict unresolved is one of the unhealthiest things you can do. Even if you say, “it’s a thing of the past,” it will still leave an air of tension in your workplace. Just imagine being assigned to a task with a person you’re in a cold war with. This could affect your productivity and limit your ability to work freely and effectively.
Read MorePosted by Editor | Comments Off on What Can We Learn from the Danish Concept of Hygge?
What Can We Learn from the Danish Concept of Hygge?
In recent years, Denmark has consistently topped as the happiest country in the world. Although the title is now given to Finland this year, Denmark is still in the top 3. Singapore, on the other hand, ranks only 34th, even as such a successful nation. Now, Denmark (and many Scandinavian countries) credits one thing in particular when it comes to happiness, hygge. So what is it exactly? And can Singaporeans adopt it to be happier? Here’s what you need to know.
What is hygge?
Pronounced “hue-ge” or “hoo-ga”, hygge is one of those words that cannot be directly translated to one single word. It is basically the Danish term for coziness, the feeling of contentment, and/or well-being by relishing the simple things in life. To the Danish, it is more than just a term or concept. For them it is a part of their culture, lifestyle, some even say it’s part of their DNA.
Today, more and more people around the world practice hygge as a lifestyle and Singaporeans should not miss out on it too!
What counts as hygge?
Typically, hygge in Denmark is significantly present during winter. Sipping hot chocolate and hearing the soft crackle of the burning fireplace, that’s a common hygge scenario there. But obviously, you can’t do that in Singapore. So what counts as hygge here?
If hygge ever started in Singapore, food would be the most common. Going to hawker centres and eating chicken rice or any of your favorite local food can be counted as hygge. But, instead of gobbling it all down, take your time to enjoy the moment and savor the taste of the dish in front of you. And remember, hygge is about keeping things simple so avoid buying food that’s too expensive.
Aside from having a clean house, the primary mark of hygge in your home is candles. Although lighting candles is not recommended when the weather is hot, it can be especially great to have during the rainy season. Scented or not, lit candles can provide a calming hygge aesthetic. Just remember to keep it safe from children!
Benefits of hygge
Increased optimism
Given the state of happiness the Danish are already in, this is one of the more obvious benefits of hygge. You can be more confident and hopeful about more things in life simply because you are able to enjoy the simple little things in life.
Better attention to the self
Following hygge also promotes a sense of comfort and safety. It helps us ease up and let our mind and body relax, basically encouraging more practices of self-care. It empowers us to be more comfortable in our own skin which then can improve our self-compassion.
Better relationships
Given all the things said above, you may assume that hygge is about doing things by yourself, not at all! Hygge is also about playing board games or having deep conversations with your family, friends, or loved ones.
Read MorePosted by Editor | Comments Off on How to Pick the Right Multivitamins for You?
How to Pick the Right Multivitamins for You?
Multivitamins and dietary supplements are part of many people’s diet here in Singapore. Health experts have observed that many turn to these supplements without doing enough research or taking experts’ advice.
Every person is different. Therefore, each of us has different nutritional needs and requirements. This is why what works for your friend, may not work on you. But don’t worry if that’s the case. We’ll help you find the right supplement for you with these tips.
- Keep Track of Your Food Intake
It doesn’t mean you have to keep exact record of the food you eat every day, but at least try to get your usual food consumption. Do you often start your day with scrambled eggs and a glass of milk? How much of your daily vitamins and minerals requirement you get from your daily food intake? Is the proportion equal? Can your food supply your daily nutritional requirement? If not, supplement it with multivitamins.
- Diagnose What You’re Lacking
Since you you’re able to keep track of your usual diet, it should be easier to determine how much of what vitamins and minerals you’re taking on a daily basis. Try to identify what and how much you’re lacking. To make this easier, we suggest working with a nutritionist to help you analyze your diet. This is likely the most important tip to help you choose the right vitamin supplement to take.
- Choose the Right Vitamins for Your Age
There’s a wide variety of multivitamins supplements to choose from, and each are created to serve different purposes. As you age, your vitamin requirements change as well. This is for your body to be able to support your every day functions. For instance, there are certain vitamins for mature adults that helps strengthen weakening bones. At the same time, there are also vitamins for kids that encourage faster and healthier growth. Age is a major factor when it comes to picking the right multivitamins to take.
- Pick the Right One for Your Gender
Just like how different supplements are formulated for different age groups, there are also suitable supplements for different gender. For example, there are multivitamins especially formulated for women. These supplements often contain more iron to help women cope with how much of this nutrient they lose every time they menstruate. This, on the other hand, isn’t useful for men.
- Balance It With Your Diet
This last tip goes hand-in-hand with the first one: your supplement must be in harmony with your diet. As much as possible, try your best to balance it out—divide your nutrition between the food you take and your dietary supplements. Again, while it isn’t necessary to stick to a strict diet plan, it extremely helps optimize daily nutrition to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
Congratulations! Now you’re a step closer on the journey towards better health. As always, talk to a health professional to ensure best health results.
Read MorePosted by Editor | Comments Off on 5 Surprising Things That Could Be Causing Your Headache
5 Surprising Things That Could Be Causing Your Headache
We’ve all been there, trying to enjoy life’s most pleasurable moments—a lazy afternoon in bed, alone time with beau, cuddles with your furry pet—and then bam! Headache hits you like a truck. If you are one of those people who often suffer from headache and migraine, you already know the usual causes: not getting enough sleep, too much alcohol, overworking your eyes—those kinds of stuff.
However, there are more surprising reasons why your head could be pounding in pain. Check out this list to help you squash the pain before it even starts.
Tight Hairstyles
That cute high bun can hurt your head. Same goes with hairstyles like tight braids, ponytails and various updos that pulls the scalp from the tug on the hair. The constant traction and pulling can irritate some nerves in your head, causing headache whenever you’re sporting certain hairstyles. Ease the ache by letting your hair down and massaging your scalp.
Sex
This is probably the most surprising one on the list. Believe it or not, there’s such thing as sex headache. However, this is more common in men and is commonly caused by a sudden spike in blood pressure. If you happen to experience the headache for the first time or if its onset is too sudden, it is something worth discussing with your doctor to ensure there isn’t serious underlying health issue occurring.
Bad Posture
One of common diagnosis for headache, yet still surprising for many, is bad posture. According to health experts, there’s a sudden increase in headache issues due to bad body posture related to the prominence of hand-held devices, such as phones, laptops and tablets. These devices requires you to look down for long hours and put your neck in its unnatural position, putting pressure on nerves and joints in the neck area and up.
Inactivity
Studies show that those living an inactive lifestyle are more prone to experiencing severe headaches that those who regularly work out. Aim for 20 minutes cardio a day, five times a week, to regulate blood flow to the brain, relieve stress and get your endorphins flowing. However, exercise can be a trigger for people with health issues, so make sure to consult your doctor first.
Meat and Cheese
No matter how you love your wine with a platter of deli meats and cheese, that charcuterie board of goodies may be the culprit of your pounding head. Certain meats such as lunch meats and sausages and cheeses like blue cheese, Gouda and Parmesan contain tyramine, a food chemical that’s known to cause headache.
Usually, these headaches are minor and will go away immediately, but if yours is a serious case of migraine that hampers you from doing your normal activities, it’s best to talk to your physician for remedy.
Read MorePosted by Editor | Comments Off on 4 Amazing Tips for Healthier Grocery Shopping
4 Amazing Tips for Healthier Grocery Shopping
These days, grocery shopping is a regular task that you need to do once a week or every other week. But when a hectic schedules gives you little time to plan, you might end up with more unhealthy choices when you’re shopping for groceries.
Here are seven tips that are guaranteed to improve your experience when shopping for more healthy groceries:
1. Choose a place that’s clean and well-supplied.
When grocery shopping, the first thing you should be on the lookout for is spoilage. Products that are past their expiry date or look spoiled are ones that you should definitely avoid. This can also extend to items that don’t always show obvious signs of spoilage, such as those sealed in cans.
(However, it’s safe to consume products that are close to expiring if you plan on consuming them right away.)
But health and safety doesn’t just end with the groceries – it also extends to the grocery store or supermarket selling them, such as dust on the shelves or anything else that could indicate that the place is not properly maintained.
The good news is that most stores in Singapore are clean and well-supplied to have the items that you need, so that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
2. Check the ingredients for processed products.
Everything from additives, preservatives, and artificial coloring can lurk in your favorite food. While they’re delicious, they can also be really unhealthy for you in the long run.
This means that whenever you find an item that you think would be healthy for you, check its label for its nutritional content and its ingredient list – you’d be surprised at the number of additives you’ll find.
3. Your grocery list is your best friend.
When you’re tempted to buy on impulse because of all the ads, discounts, and promos, you need your grocery list to stick to healthier food choices.
While you’ll have to accept that grocery shopping means spending money, having a list not only allows you a better control of the foods that you need to buy, but it also helps you stick to your budget. This is indispensable especially if you’re seriously looking to save while eating healthy.
4. Take advantage of online shopping.
Supermarkets in Singapore now have websites that allow you to order from the comfort of your own home, which takes away a lot of the stress of having to physically go there yourself. All you need to do is select what items you want to buy and they will show up at your doorstep.
So if you’re too busy, tired (or even just lazy) to leave your home, then online shopping is definitely the choice for you.
Read MorePosted by Editor | Comments Off on Fermenting vs. Pickling: What’s the Difference?
Fermenting vs. Pickling: What’s the Difference?
Fermenting and pickling foods have been around for a long time, and are some of the oldest ways of preserving food before there were refrigerators. But while the two methods are different, they actually overlap so much that it’s hard to tell one from the other.
So what’s the difference between the two?
What You Need to Know About Pickling
Pickling is the general term for food preservation where the food is partially broken down by bacteria in an environment without oxygen or air.
The process of pickling starts with boiling the container and lid to sterilize them, and fruits or vegetables are added to the jar along with the brine and left to process on their own until the desired taste is achieved. This brine can be anything from lemon juice, to hot vinegar, to even salt and water.
If it sounds a lot like fermentation, that’s because it falls under this category – and why it can be so difficult to distinguish between the two.
What’s With Fermentation?
Fermentation is essentially the process where sugars are broken down by bacteria in a chemical process that doesn’t involve oxygen.
While this is often used for brewing alcoholic drinks, such as beer, cider, and wine, fermenting has also been used for storing fruits and vegetables in a way that would enhance their flavor while making them last longer.
There are two types of fermentation processes you need to know about:
- Alcohol fermentation – This process breaks down sugars and converts them into ethanol using yeast, and produces alcoholic drinks. It also takes much longer to break the sugars down to ethanol fully, depending on a variety of factors.
- Lactic acid fermentation – With lactic acid fermentation, the natural bacteria in fruits and vegetables break down the sugars in vegetables and release lactic acid as a by-product, which adds to the vitamin content in the food.
While fermentation and pickling is in many ways similar to each other, keep in mind that not all fermented foods are pickles, and not all pickles are fermented.
Pickling can extend to vegetables and even certain spices, such as garlic, and a lot of foods such as yogurt and sourdough bread are the products of fermentation.
Achieving a Healthy Diet
Fresh produce and whole foods can add so much more to your diet when you ferment them, such as the health benefits and the complex flavors that are introduced once the food has been processed by bacteria.
Additionally, fermenting vegetables and fruits can even be something you can do as a hobby that lets you enjoy good food and have something healthy at home – you can enjoy it anytime even if you’re unable to take the time to cook because it’s so easy to prepare.
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