Many Singaporeans sought ways to relieve their stress at home over the past year as the Covid-19 pandemic raised their stress levels and disrupted usual methods of letting off steam. According to the inaugural OSIM Wellness Survey conducted by the health and wellness group last year, many respondents experienced heightened levels of stress as a result of the healthcare crisis. Left unchecked, chronic stress can lead to long-term health problems. According to a 2016 report by Harvard Medical School, prolonged stress can lead to a host of health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. This highlights the pressing need for stress to be recognized and managed proactively.
Conducted between July and August 2020, the OSIM survey sought to assess the public’s perception toward overall well-being during the pandemic, how individuals perceived their stress levels, and consequently, how they sought to manage and relieve stress. It found that 61% of the 385 respondents indicated an increase in stress levels, with 81% reporting an above-moderate increase. Most respondents were also proactive in managing stress, reflecting a growing awareness among Singaporeans about the importance of maintaining their wellness amid trying times.
“As lifestyles shift and routines continue to be disrupted by Covid-19, the survey results indicate that individuals and families increasingly prefer de-stressing and unwinding in their own homes instead of heading out,” says Lynn Tan, Deputy CEO of OSIM International.
“We believe that this new normal will encourage more people to take better care of their well-being on a daily basis.”
The survey also identified how Singaporeans sought to lower their stress levels during the pandemic. Due to public health and safety measures, more than 50% of respondents said their usual stress management activities had been disrupted. These included gym workouts, group sports and wellness treatments such as massages.
In response, Singaporeans were more receptive toward a range of sensory therapies to relieve stress at home. Among the different options, massage therapy was selected as the most effective form of sensory therapy (85%), followed by music therapy (74%) and aromatherapy (71%).
While movement restrictions have since eased in Singapore, OSIM anticipates the growing emphasis on stress management is here to stay as individuals experiment with new therapies.
Meeting the Wellness Needs of Individuals
Against this backdrop, OSIM continues to carry out its long-standing mission of developing solutions that address the health and wellness needs of its customers. In particular, the company is committed to using innovative technology to redefine the health and wellness landscape; creating products that empower individuals to take better care of themselves.
One such innovation is uDream, the world’s first 5-senses well-being chair designed to help individuals measure, monitor and manage stress levels from the comfort of home. The uDream’s AI Stress BioSensors use electrocardiography and AI technology to measure and translate stress signals into insightful and easy-to-understand Body Tension Scores. Through the proprietary uDream app, individuals can track their stress levels conveniently and effortlessly.
With uDream, those seeking to de-stress at home can now decide when and how to address any spikes in their stress levels to help stave off both the immediate and long-term health effects of chronic stress. Through initiatives such as the OSIM Wellness Survey and products such as the pioneering uDream, OSIM hopes to empower people to take better care of their health, not just during this challenging period, but also in a post-Covid world. An individual’s health will always be key to living better, regardless of the circumstances.
