Intelligence is Value

Stress has taken over most of our lives. In fact, some even glorify stress as an indication that a person is working hard, but stress can take a toll on your health, relationships, and productivity. It is just as bad as eating poorly and not exercising.

Here are tips to effectively manage and eventually get rid of stress.

1. Identify the Stressors

If you can acknowledge and recognize all the things that stress you out, it is already a big step towards healing. It does not have to be as heavy as a death of a loved one, divorce, or a loss of a job because those are definitely sources of stress.

However, factors such as toxic co-workers, noisy neighbors, unruly children, traffic, and lack of sleep all contribute to stress. It also does not have to be an external source. Stop making excuses and look closely at all your habits and attitude that could be causing the stress, too.

2. Write a Journal to Vent Your Feelings

It is easier to let of steam if there is an outlet for it, but if talking to other people isn’t comfortable for you, you can start a journal instead. It doesn’t have to be a detailed journal; just write down your thoughts for the day and the highlights. If there is a stressful event, write down how it made you feel physically and emotionally.

3. Avoid Stressors

If you know which things can cause stress, it is easier to avoid them. In fact, most of the external sources of stress are easily avoidable. Learn to say no, cut off people who stress you out, and eliminate unnecessary and stressful activities.

4. Adapt to Things that Stress You Out

However, you can’t avoid everybody who stresses you out. Perhaps it is time to sit down and talk it out with that person so you can solve the issues. Look at the problem from a different perspective and perhaps lower your standards so that you don’t feel disappointed anymore. There will always be things that we cannot control, and if we can’t control them, we can still control how we act and think towards them.

5. Change the Situation

If something is bothering you, don’t bottle it up. Speak out and try to change the situation. If nothing happens, at least you tried. But you should also be willing to compromise if the person wants to change. If your work is stressing you out, maybe quitting isn’t the solution yet. Balance it by pursuing activities that make you happy. It’s not all about work all the time.

6. Accept Things You Can’t Control

If you are given a challenge, look at it instead as an opportunity to grow and learn and become better next time. There will always be things that are beyond your control, so if you feel like you can’t deal with it alone, talk to a trusted person about it.

7. Make Time for Yourself

By managing your time better, you will have more opportunities to do things that make you happy. Remember that you work to live, not live to work.

Burnout has recently been recognized by the health organizations as a real condition, but it is probably an epidemic in workplaces and in schools worldwide. It is not simply about feeling tired or stressed, but it is also characterized by disillusionment, reduced productivity, depersonalization, excessive and prolonged stress, and mental, emotional and physical exhaustion.

In Singapore where there the culture of productivity is normal; the long working hours are among the highest in the world. This has devastating results in the country’s fertility rate, family relationships, and cases of emotional distress.

1. Find a better alternative to caffeine and alcohol. Most people turn to coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, and energy drinks to keep energized and motivated at work, but it is a different issue altogether if you become dependent. You might think that you’re physically fit and healthy now, but your bad habits are going to catch up to you soon.

2. Do activities to release frustration and aggression. Don’t turn to the bottle to find release but it is important that you find a safe outlet for it. There are plenty of activities you can do that are not going to harm other people and yourself such as sports, video games, music, and art.

3. Don’t take your work home. You should rest and spend time with family when you’re at home. It’s not always about work and earning money; you have to enjoy the products of your hard work and remember why you’re working hard in the first place. Take work-related calls only at scheduled hours, don’t take extra jobs or tasks, and finish everything you can within the set work hours and days.

4. Ask for a different task. Sometimes having to do the same tasks over and over can be tiresome. You not only lose your motivation to work, but you start to question why you’re working in the first place. Perhaps it is time to talk to your manager about giving you a different responsibility.

5. Take a break from work. And by taking a break it means going on a vacation for several days, not just taking the weekends off. Talk to your manager about your problem and maybe the company can help you. Take it one step further talk to a therapist who can provide a written proof of your condition so you can show it to your employers. After all, burnout is now considered an authentic medical condition.

6. Quit your job. If talking to your employer is not going to improve your situation, then perhaps it is time to leave. This could be the sign you are waiting for to find opportunities elsewhere and take a different path. Or do something completely different.

However, remember to be rational about it when talking to your employer; enumerate the reasons why you feel that you deserve this break and why you are suffering. No job is worth destroying your physical and emotional well-being. Your employer can replace you, but you’re indispensable to the people who depend on you.

Pinoy is a slang for Filipino and if you are from the Philippines and happen to find yourself craving Filipino food in Singapore, then you are in luck! The funny thing about Filipinos is that they tend to make anywhere around the world feel like home and Singapore is not an exception at all. Due to the many Filipinos in Singapore, people have begun to start some Filipino friendly restaurants which may not amount to the legendary standard of “luto ni nanay” (mom’s cooking), the food will most definitely bring you a piece of dear Philippines.

One complex thing about Filipino cuisine is that we have a lot of different methods and use a lot of different ingredients from other countries but then again, every country’s cuisine is different. Cooking is a basic skill for a Filipino as it is a common chore that they are expected to perform especially when it comes to cooking rice! Speaking of rice, Filipino’s love eating rice to the point that some of them can even eat rice with spaghetti or rice with soy sauce. The Filipino tongue is filled with exotic flavour as the bagoong (shrimp paste) with manga can make up for a very interesting flavor. Although getting some of the ingredients needed to cook some of our favorite dishes in Singapore, the Filipino food still tastes amazing!

Filipinos are used to having a small garden or having small stores around the neighborhood where they can find most of the herbs and ingredients used to cook their recipes but in Singapore, it is much harder to get herbs like the laurel leaves and etc. Some Filipino favorites that we all love are served with much welcoming spirit in Singapore. Dishes like adobo, sinigang, kare-kare, lechon kawali, lechon manok, lechon, sisig, and many more. The best part is that you can even order your favorite tapsilog meals in Singapore!

Finding a place like home in a different part of the world is hard and sometimes frustrating because there will never be a place as good as home but at least in Singapore, there are places that serve with the genuine Pinoy spirit and for those non-Pinoy who enjoy the Filipino cuisine, Singapore is not a place that will make finding a good Filipino restaurant hard for you.

Masarap ang pagkain ng Pinoy kahit saan man sa mundo. Filipino food is amazing anywhere in the world!

One of the good things about Singapore is how they are very active in healthy living. It might be shocking but you better get used to see people jogging at two in the morning. Singaporeans make time for fitness no matter how busy they may get. There are countless parks where people are free to workout with natural workout equipment like the pull-up bar and many others.

Getting fit in Singapore is not that hard because of how fitness has slowly found its way into culture due to the mandatory scout and military training, you will find men at the age of 40 still having a well-shaped body as they continue to maintain their fitness by occasionally working out despite the busy schedule.

Here are some ways to get fit in Singapore:

1.  Take a look around the neighbourhood

There are many places in Singapore where you can workout. The parks in Singapore are very accessible and they also have a playground-like workout station. As long as you are not in a busy neighborhood, you won’t have a hard time finding the perfect spot for you to workout. Finding a gym nearby is great for those who want to fully dedicate themselves to fitness but if you haven’t got the time nor the desire for intense fitness, going for a run every once in while will still keep you fit.

2.  Make a diet and list the places where you can eat or buy food

The temptations in Singapore are very strong as there are a lot of places to just have a quick bite of something not helpful to your diet. Find places around your neighborhood where you can eat without feeling guilty. Finding a place near work helps keep you on track as you won’t settle for something against your diet.

3.  Start simple

Most people tend to over complicate things especially when they are starting. Sometimes to the point of information overload which usually kills the progress even before they start. Make a plan that is simple and possible. You do not have to start with great intensity just yet, start smart and start small. Fitness is trendy in Singapore and getting yourself into fitness isn’t that hard as the environment itself will inspire you to push your limits. Singapore is a great place to build yourself not just when it comes to work but also when it comes to fitness.  Progress doesn’t have to be intense, progress just has to be consistent.

Finding a job could be tedious not just in Singapore but everywhere. Unless of course you have an outstanding resume which could make the process of finding a job very easy no matter where you are. Now, what makes Singapore different when it comes to work? Well, Singapore is a place where people take pride in their ability and are way too competitive to allow what they want to be given to someone else. Here are a few things that could help you not just to find a job but also to be accepted:

1.  Look around the city

Since Singapore is such a small city, you are bound to find something. Talking to people also help increase your chances of finding a job. Looking up the different job availabilities in Singapore isn’t that hard as most of the job offers can be found online. Hopefully you already have a target job which makes things easier since you would only have to focus on one company.

2.  Be professional

Professionalism can be very tricky in Singapore as some of the gestures we do may feel like we are extending our efforts but are actually expected of you. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it.

a.  Time. Punctuality is very important as Singaporeans have a very busy schedule. Even during the interview process, you are expected to keep your answers direct to the point. Although it may seem humourless, when it comes to work, everyone is serious.

b.  Conduct. Extending your courtesy is a great idea and actually gives you an upper hand as it makes yourself easier to digest but there is a fine line between being courteous and being a waste of time and it is better not to cross that line.

3.  Follow up

Another great moved which increases your chances of success is contacting the company after the interview and treat them with class by thanking them for their time and wishing for the best for you and for them. Although this does not always work, it actually sets the tone and helps make you classier than the other applicants.

These are just a few tips but hopefully they land you a job in Singapore. Although Singapore is a land of opportunity, you still have to work your way to the top. Getting a job is just the start to a whole new chapter in your life and who knows? Singapore might be the place you’ve always wanted to be.

Using a paint sprayer to paint certain areas in your home can make the paint job appear to be more smooth and uniform. They go beyond the ordinary paintbrush and open up more options that you can blaze through with ease.

Types of Paint Sprayers

However, not all paint sprayers are fit for every type of paint job. Because they can vary in terms of pressure and volume capacity, the key is to understand how they work and which one is best for which.

There are three basic types of paint sprayers:

• Airless – This type of sprayer works not by using compressed air, but by pumping the paint out at a high pressure. The paint fans out in droplets over a wide area, which results in an even coat of paint.

Airless paint sprayers are best used with interior paint and residential outdoor projects, and work best with thick paint.

• Compressed air – Compressed air paint sprayers use compressed air, which forces the paint out onto the surface for a smoother and more even finish. Because they are so simple and foolproof, they are the perfect tools to use for beginners.

Compressed air paint sprayers are mostly used for cabinets and furniture, and is rarely used for other surfaces because they use up a lot of paint.

• HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure) – This type of paint sprayer works by using a steady volume of air to make the paint droplets stick to the surface, which gives you a more precise, less messy result that saves you on paint for your interior jobs.

Most HVLP paint sprayers work best with thinner paints, though there are industrial or commercial models that allow you to opt for lacquer and varnish.

How to Use a Paint Sprayer Effectively

Paint sprayers can be intimidating for those who aren’t used to them, which is why the safest way to start practicing is by spraying on some cardboard to improve your technique. Once you have the feel of how it works, you can then proceed to start painting other things such as furniture.  

As much as possible, keep the paint between 7 and 23 degrees Celsius. Any higher or lower will affect the quality of the paint, which could either cause it to clog the nozzle or make the paint runny and less cohesive. Painting in direct sunlight could also affect how the paint looks.

Always remember to use paint sprayers with care as they can operate with extremely high pressure. Never use your fingers when cleaning out the nozzle as it could possibly inject paint into the skin if the sprayer tip makes contact, which could introduce deadly toxins into the body.