You may have heard of the term FIRE—Financial Independence, Retire Early—and how many people work tirelessly in their early years to achieve it. There’s nothing wrong with striving for financial freedom and early retirement. However, what happens when this lifestyle is overly glorified, and those who may not share the same drive feel pressured by others to “invest” or “start a business” and work on it after their 9-to-5 job? The result is often burnout. Many young people begin to experience health issues—heart problems, early signs of heart attacks, and even strokes—affecting even the healthiest and fittest individuals.
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The thing is, stress is one of the most dangerous contributors to poor heart health. If we truly care about longevity and enjoying our later years, we need to slow down and listen to our bodies. Getting into investing or hustling can be rewarding and motivating—but doing it just because everyone else is doing it isn’t advisable. There are ways to invest mindfully, such as consulting a financial advisor or using beginner-friendly investing apps.
Starting a business after your 9-to-5 job can be an exciting and worthwhile pursuit, especially in your early 20s. However, becoming overly obsessed with it can cause you to miss out on the present—time with your family, friends, and your youth
In this story, we’ll share some self-care tips to help you rest intentionally and enjoy the present moment.
Self-Care Tips
Take Breaks
There will always be a hundred and one things to get done—but when it’s time for a break, take the break. Many people often skip meals to finish work or prioritise tasks over mealtimes. But mealtime isn't just about eating; it's also a valuable time for conversation and connection with family, which is essential.
We weren’t created to live in isolation. We need social interaction and meaningful conversations to stay connected and emotionally grounded. Skipping breaks for the sake of work deprives you of those moments—and that’s not what life is about.
So, the next time you're tempted to skip a meal for work, choose better—for yourself and for your loved ones.
Prioritise Sleep
Did you know that your body needs time to heal—even when you're not feeling unwell? The golden hours for sleep are between 10PM and 2AM, a critical window when your body undergoes repair and recovery. Sleeping early has been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease compared to staying up late.
Our bodies require a full 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. We are not designed to function on just four hours of rest and a cup of coffee. A lack of sleep can lead to a range of issues, including increased stress, poor concentration, and premature aging.
Ultimately, without quality rest, we sacrifice our quality of life—even if we’re earning all the money in the world.
Drink Water
Yes, you heard us right—water, not coffee, tea, or bubble tea, is what your body truly needs throughout the day. Late nights and long working hours often lead to dehydration, which can cause your skin to look dull and saggy.
Drinking at least 2 litres of water daily helps keep your body well-hydrated. It also supports healthy digestion, improves bowel movements, and can even help prevent migraines—especially those triggered by lack of sleep.
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Find a Hobby
Life isn’t all about work and money. If someone asked you today, “What do you do for a living?”, does living simply mean working? Or would you be able to answer with something more?
Having a hobby, whether it's playing a sport, caring for plants, or simply watching a movie, can be a form of self-care that’s essential to include in our lives, especially in a fast-paced city like ours. These moments of joy and relaxation remind us that living goes beyond just working or earning money.
Journalling
Mental load and stress often stem from a fear of the future or the pressure of not completing tasks within a certain timeframe. Our minds tend to overcomplicate situations and create imagined scenarios that heighten anxiety and stress.
To ease this mental overload, try offloading your thoughts—either by writing them down or speaking to someone. Often, putting things on paper brings clarity and helps you see your next steps more clearly.
Beyond just listing tasks, journaling allows you to express your emotions instead of keeping everything bottled up and replaying negative thoughts in your mind. Journaling is not only known to reduce stress, but it also becomes a meaningful record you can look back on in the future.
Self-Care Activities
Of course, beyond daily self-care routines, there are also activities and therapies you can explore to help your body fully relax—especially if you tend to carry a lot of tension. These self-care practices not only promote relaxation, but can also help you look and feel better, inside and out.
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Late-night work often results in dull skin and dark under-eye circles. In addition to getting to bed early and clocking at least 8 hours of sleep, consider treating yourself to an occasional Glow Facial. This treatment deeply moisturises and hydrates the skin, brightens your complexion, evens out skin tone, and offers many other benefits.
If you're prone to fine lines or wrinkles, this facial is especially beneficial. Taking care of your appearance helps you feel more confident and think more clearly. That’s why we highly recommend incorporating an occasional facial into your routine as a boost for both your skin and overall well-being.
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Cold Plunge
The trend of cold plunging has been on the rise among athletes, and regular folks can benefit from it too! Beyond reducing inflammation and aiding in muscle recovery, cold plunging helps train your mind to control your body and adapt to discomfort.
It also relieves stress and boosts the production of endorphins—your body’s natural "happy hormones." This makes it an excellent practice for hustlers looking to enhance both physical and mental well-being.
And with Singapore’s warm climate, cold plunging is not only effective but also incredibly refreshing and revitalising.
Tui Na
Hustling late into the night is one thing, but poor posture or inadequate sleep that leads to body aches is another. In addition to deep tissue massages, Tui Na, a traditional Chinese medicine massage, is an excellent way to care for your body and relieve those persistent aches and pains.
Tui Na is particularly effective in relieving tension by "un-knotting" the tight spots that accumulate due to stress or the unconscious tensing of our muscles, often a result of restlessness. So, instead of sticking to the usual body massage for relaxation, consider going the extra step for your body with Tui Na.
Disney Cruise
Sometimes, taking a trip is the perfect way to clear your mind and unwind. Why not relive your childhood memories on the newest Disney Cruise? Just remember, it’s about purposefully enjoying your time off—no work allowed. A good break from the hustle can help you recharge and return with a clearer mind.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your family and children, creating memories that money can’t buy. Plus, with Pelago on merewards, you can now enjoy upsized cashback, earn KrisFlyer Miles when you book your Disney Cruise!
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We only have one life to live, and while money may seem like the key to happiness, how can we truly live a good life if we’re not enjoying the present? Work is important, but hustling late into the night, sacrificing sleep and family time, and missing important events are moments that can’t be bought back with money.
As much as many of us strive to retire early or achieve financial independence, it's equally important to prioritise our health and well-being so we can enjoy the future with vitality and happiness.
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