There is a growing need for all to prioritise their mental wellness as it was revealed in the latest nationwide study by the Institute of Mental Health that 1 in 7 Singaporeans experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.

And that is why, in our recent ‘here. sunrise and sunset’ initiative, we collaborated with local singer-songwriter Sherman Zhuo to debut ‘endless shine’, a song that spotlights the importance of the mental wellness of our people. Through this initiative, we would like to encourage all to give themselves the pause they deserve and simply be in the present.

And together with Beyond the Label, a nationwide movement co-led by the National Council of Social Service and TOUCH Community Services, we hope to challenge the mental health stigma and foster a more inclusive society.

As part of our campaign, we have also joined hands with the National Parks Board, to feature the Therapeutic Gardens that were introduced to enhance the well-being of Singaporeans by allowing them to connect with nature in a purposeful way. One such green oasis is located in East Coast Park, where ‘endless shine’ music video was shot.

This track is also featured on NParks’ curated Spotify playlist, ‘A Love Letter from NParks’, serving as a gentle reminder to put your mental health first as you reconnect with these Therapeutic Gardens.

To further support the Therapeutic Horticulture programmes designed to enhance the well-being of our community, we also donated $10,000 to NParks’ registered charity and IPC, Garden City Fund.

Exploring Singapore’s New Therapeutic Gardens

Beyond being just scenic spots, the Therapeutic Gardens are also scientifically designed to offer restorative benefits of nature, improving mental health and overall well-being.

Within the heart of our nation, there are now 14 of these calming sanctuaries including the addition of 5 new gardens where more residents can now access these green spaces.

1. East Coast Park

The Therapeutic Garden at East Coast Park offers a unique coastal charm making it a perfect retreat for those seeking relaxation by the sea.

Designed for holistic wellness, this green sanctuary offers a myriad of activities to help unwind. The wellness garden features an elevated 360-degree platform that overlooks the pond, the sea, and the green canopy that surrounds the park.

From the lush foliage to the garden’s serene atmosphere, park visitors can immerse themselves in the gentle sound of waves as they catch the sunset for a therapeutic escape.

2. Yishun Pond Park

Nestled in the heart of Yishun, the Therapeutic Garden at Yishun Pond Park is designed to provide a peaceful oasis amidst urban life. The garden integrates water features with lush greenery to create a tranquil environment that promotes mental well-being.

Several quiet corners with seating areas are scattered throughout the garden, offering spaces for visitors to practise mindfulness or simply enjoy the sound of flowing water and the serene surroundings.

The garden is centred around Yishun Pond with a 14.5-metre cocoon-shaped tower offering panoramic views of the park, ideal for a therapeutic retreat for visitors to connect with nature amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.

3. Sembawang Park

With its rich historical background, Sembawang Park offers a unique blend of heritage and nature. The therapeutic garden here provides a quiet seaside haven, connected to a 30-metre jetty that was once built and used during World War II, where visitors can spend an idyllic evening by the waters.

The garden also includes a selection of coastal and marine-themed plants that are specially chosen for their soothing colours and textures, reflecting Sembawang’s maritime heritage.

As you wander in this green space, you can find yourself in the calming corner with timber benches and a water feature that promotes relaxation while reducing anxiety.

4. Sun Plaza Park

From an aerial view, the paths in the park converge to form the shape of a sun in the centre of the park, earning the name, Sun Plaza Park.

The Therapeutic Garden is tucked away in the eastern region of Singapore and is designed as a vibrant and engaging space for residents staying in Tampines. Not only is the garden filled with vibrant plants like sunflowers and marigolds, but these colourful floras also help to lift the spirits of visitors, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere

This green space is built to spur community interaction and promote mental wellness through sensory engagement, allowing visitors to connect with nature and one another.

5. Woodlands Healing Garden

Linked to Woodlands Health is Singapore’s largest therapeutic Garden to date which has an impressive size of 1.5 hectares. With a focus on rejuvenation through senses, the Woodlands Healing Garden is segmented into four zones, with the intention to offer visitors and patients closer interaction with nature for mental, emotional and physical well-being

The garden includes a variety of plants known for their healing properties, such as medicinal herbs and aromatic plants that can help promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Surrounded by fragrant and tactile plants, you will find vividly-coloured wildflower terraces and a seasonal forest at its peak, perfect for a change of scenery from our city landscape.

#HereSunriseXSunset Giveaway

With this in mind, we hope you’ll be inspired to visit any of the Therapeutic Gardens and immerse in the restorative benefits of these hidden green spaces.

You can also join our Facebook or Instagram giveaway and be one of 20 lucky winners to receive a $30 eCapitaVoucher and a Geneco Green Starter Kit (worth $40), which includes a foldable umbrella, collapsible water bottle, reusable straw, and grocery net bag.

Simply answer the question in our comments section: “Name one of the new Therapeutic Gardens mentioned in this blog post.” The contest ends on 31 August 2024. Terms and conditions apply.

To find out more about the campaign, you can visit www.heresunrisesunset.sg.

Together, let us change the world around us by changing the world within us.

This National Day, we would like to put the mental wellness of our nation at the centre stage with our ‘here. sunrise x sunset’ initiative. Through this heartwarming campaign, we hope to remind all to breathe because sometimes you might forget to, give yourselves the pause you deserve, and simply be in the present.

As part of this initiative, we are joining hands with Beyond the Label, a national movement co-led by the National Council of Social Service and TOUCH Community Services, dedicated to promoting social inclusion for persons with mental health conditions. This movement aims to combat mental health stigma by raising awareness, educating the public, supporting workplace adjustments, and encouraging early help-seeking.

Together, we hope to invite everyone to join us in fostering a supportive environment, sparking more open conversations, and building resilience within communities.

Let Music Power The Change

Music can change the world because it can change people.

As one of the key discussions at the National University of Singapore’s engagement session, ‘A Conversation on Emotional Resilience – Finding Emotional Well-Being Through Music’, it has been shared that music can build emotional resilience, manage mental conditions, and improve mental health.

Beyond enhancing our mood, music can tap into many cognitive and emotional processing centres in our minds – providing a sense of belonging, an avenue of self-expression, and a means to cope with mental well-being.

In line with Singapore’s 59^th birthday, there is no better time to showcase the healing power of music through local talents within our own community.

As part of our campaign, we are elated to collaborate with Sherman Zhuo, a homegrown award-winning singer-songwriter and Cross Ratio x Warner Music Singapore Artist. Sherman has topped the charts of Spotify’s Viral 50 Singapore with over 8 million streams, we are heartened to debut ‘endless shine’ – a song to inspire all to let music be the heartbeat of our lives and Power The Change from Within.

Composed as a letter to himself, the song reflects his journey of overcoming mental health challenges and societal expectations by finding joy in the little things in life. We hope this song can uplift those who are still navigating their way through their mental health journey and encourage positive change through music.

With that, we would like to invite you to press play for good by helping us achieve our goal of 1 million streams for ‘endless shine’ on Spotify and YouTube. Each stream will count towards our pledge to champion mental wellness and challenge mental health stigma, and we will donate $10,000 to Beyond the Label.

Vote For Your Favourite Lyrics

As you immerse in the lyrics and melody of ‘endless shine’, you can also vote for your favourite lyrics that inspire you the most. Simply visit www.heresunrisesunset.sg to vote from now till 31 August and stand to be 1 in 5 lucky winners to receive $100 eCapitaVoucher.

It Begins With All Of Us

We are also heartened to have well-known personalities like Tosh Zhang, Karyn Wong, Chen Yixin, Sherman Zhuo and Darshen, share their personal stories and challenge the mental health stigma.

Check out their posts below — we hope you can find inspiration from them for your own journey.

Visit #HereSunriseXSunset Pop-up Event

Join us at our pop-up event at Bugis Junction, Level 1 Atrium from 29 July to 4 August, 10 AM to 10 PM for an immersive experience with specially curated sound tube installations, heartfelt lyrics, and melody of ‘endless shine’, providing a therapeutic escape.

What’s more, stand a chance to win $100 eCapitaVoucher and receive a limited edition Geneco tote bag when you press play on our song and vote for your favourite lyrics.

Plus, be the first 50 visitors on 3 and 4 August from 3 PM – 6 PM to press play and vote to receive an exclusive Geneco Green Starter Kit worth $40 that consists of a foldable umbrella, collapsible water bottle, reusable straw, and grocery net bag.

To find out more about the campaign, you can visit www.heresunrisesunset.sg.

Together, let’s change the world around us by changing our world within.

With the June holidays in full swing, now is the perfect time to keep the little ones engaged with fun and meaningful activities that will nurture their curiosity and appreciation for the environment. 

While schools have begun to incorporate environmental education into their curriculum, the holidays offer a unique opportunity for parents to deepen this learning beyond the classroom. 

In this month’s blog, we have curated a range of sustainability-themed activities to ignite your children’s passion for the environment. Let’s make this June holidays a time of discovery, growth, and eco-friendly adventures.

1. Build a green home with DesignTinkers

In an urbanised city like Singapore, our buildings account for over 20% of the nation’s carbon emissions today. In line with Singapore’s Green Plan 2030, almost 55% of our buildings have been made greener, and plans are underway to green at least 80% of buildings by 2030, as part of the Singapore Green Building Masterplan. Even HDBs today are adopting large scale  energy-saving solutions like the implementation of smart technologies, such as sensors and solar panels to reduce our energy consumption. 

If your little one has shown an interest in built environments, DesignTinkers has organised a 2-day holiday camp where kids are exposed to the design and eco-friendly construction techniques used in our communities. 

Led by architects, designers and educators, the camp will teach children basic concepts and initiatives, ultimately helping them in the lead-up to creating a 3D prototype of their dream eco-home.

Through hands-on cardboard construction, they will have a go at putting their creativity in practice, crafting and assembling a sustainable home with principles that they have learned or seen in their daily lives. 

The little ones will undoubtedly feel immense pride in their final creation, and this experience may also spark a lifelong interest in architecture for your child. 

Register for their upcoming classes here.

2. Join an outdoor camp with City Sprouts

Now that school is out, the little ones can finally enjoy more time for outdoor play. After all, global experts recommend at least an hour of outdoor activity per day to stimulate their imagination, learning and improve their overall wellbeing.

A 2-day outdoor camp with City Sprouts will see little ones fully immersed in our natural environment in an effort to cultivate their appreciation for nature and wildlife.

Starting at the Kids’ Adventure Camp, the young ones will be guided through key themes, such as food security and biodiversity conservation. Set against natural landscapes, these camps allow children—who often spend most of their time indoors at school—to enjoy first-hand encounters with nature in a safe and sensible way. 

In addition, kids will get to improve their social skills as they mingle with other participants, with games and activities to promote collaboration, critical and creative thinking during the camp. 

With two camps located in Henderson and West Coast, you can find the one most convenient for your family here.

3. Get creative through sustainable crafts with Our Arts Studio

No holiday is complete without having a memento of the new experiences you have shared with your family. If you would like to create your own crafts but are no DIY expert yourself, you can join your little ones in an eco-casting workshop with Our Arts Studio. 

Using an eco-friendly, recyclable material known as jesmonite, the workshop will see participants create mini trays, coasters and even phone holders using various techniques like marbling and terrazzo. 

Jesmonite, celebrated for its versatility and sustainability, allows kids to unleash their creativity while making functional items for home use. This will not only hone their DIY skills, it will also help reduce environmental footprint through the process of handcrafting instead of buying mass-produced items. 

Much like the eco-home project, this will supplement your child’s understanding of sustainable materials, and it will give them a unique gift to remember this one of a kind experience with Mum and Dad. 

Learn more and register your family for the workshop here.

Attend a free movie screening with us

As we commemorate World Environment Day this June (5 June 2024), we would also like to invite families to join us for a screening of the multi-award winning climate change movie “The Human Element” at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, on Saturday night, 29 June 2024. 

The documentary follows the journey of environmental photographer James Balog as he tracks real-world heroes at the front line of climate change. Centering around the four natural elements, Balog’s film will surely be an insightful experience for your teenagers as they witness the reality of environmental issues today. 

If you would like to join us for a delightful evening, you can register here.

Keep sustainability in mind this school holiday

With a blend of education, creativity, and fun, the June school holidays can be both enjoyable and enriching for children. Whether your child is building a sustainable home, exploring the outdoors, crafting eco-friendly art, or learning about climate change through film, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

If any of these activities piqued your child’s curiosity in sustainability, you can also join our Facebook or Instagram giveaway and be one of 10 lucky winners to take home a $30 eCapitaVoucher and a Geneco Green Starter Kit (worth $40) that consists of a foldable umbrella, collapsible water bottle, reusable straw, and grocery net bag.

Simply answer the question in our comments section: “Name 1 green learning adventure from our blog that you can experience with your child this June holidays”. The contest ends on 30th June 2024. Terms and conditions apply. 

Let’s continue to #PowerTheChange and inspire young advocates for a greener tomorrow.

With their vibrant colours, captivating fragrances, and aesthetic charm, flowers have an enchanting allure that can illuminate even the dullest of spaces. 

Beyond their visual appeal, flowers have been found to have great effects on your mental health, such as by reducing cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. For those working from home, surrounding yourself with floral displays can also improve your productivity and focus, by reducing mental fatigue, fostering creativity, and creating a more pleasant atmosphere conducive to efficient work.

While botanical products are readily available in stores, shopping local botanical brands allows you to enjoy high-quality, handcrafted products, while supporting the local economy and reducing your carbon footprint. 

In this month’s article, let’s explore three homegrown brands that are known on our radar for their unique botanical creations, and discover new ways to infuse your space with a natural elegance and elevate your living environment.

1. Experience the art of sustainable floristry with Echevaria.co

If you have attended large events, you would have noticed that fresh exotic flowers are often the go-to centrepieces. While visually stunning, these flowers tend to wilt quickly after the event, leading to unnecessary waste.

Moreover, the logistics of sourcing exotic plants can rake up significant carbon emissions, with Kenyan roses, for instance, taking up to 18 hours of flight time to arrive in Singapore. 

That is why local botanical studio Echevaria.co is reimagining floral artistry by opting for rooted plants and cuttings from local and regional flora, which can be potted back into soil after its use. Their unique approach not only reduces the environmental impact associated with imported flowers, but also allows guests to enjoy their bouquets long after the event. 

You can repot plant cuttings in your home garden, and with proper care and maintenance, they can transform into stunning houseplants for your living space. 

By shopping with Echavaria.co, you are not only supporting local and regional biodiversity but also contributing to the circularity of plant life as they continue to have a second lease of life. 

Discover their range of Repottable Bouquets, which includes succulents known for their low-maintenance qualities, ideal for beginners in this space.

2. Preserving nature’s beauty with Slow Green

Fresh plants are not the only way to bring greenery into your home. If your busy schedule leaves little time for tending to live plants, preserved plants might be the perfect alternative. 

As its name suggests, preserved plants don’t need watering, pruning or sunlight, yet they can retain their natural beauty and texture, offering all the visual greenery with zero maintenance. 

Slow Green is a local botanical studio offering their take on preserved plant arrangements using natural materials like plants, stones and woods to craft vibrant, ethereal decor pieces that can instantly transform any space. 

The founders at Slow Green are true artisans of their craft, meticulously creating each pot by hand, putting quality over quantity in their final creations. What’s more, they embrace an ‘all plants are equal’ approach, avoiding the trend of favouring rare or exotic species. This way, common flora can shine in its own right, while reducing the environmental impact of sourcing plants, helping to preserve our local biodiversity.

Choosing Slow Green allows you to admire nature’s gifts without the usual upkeep. Not only do you get long-lasting decor, but your purchase will also support a brand that prioritises sustainability while respecting the natural world. 

You can explore and shop their range of plants and decorative pieces on their website.

3. Indulge in artisanal, botanical soaps with Rough Beauty

Going beyond traditional pots and planters, another subtle way to bring flora into your space is through botanical-infused soaps. 

These days, many of us are opting for natural alternatives over mass-produced bath and body products, mainly because of their skin-loving, eco-conscious qualities that are in stark contrast to synthetic chemicals, which can harm both your skin and the environment with every wash.

Rough Beauty, a Singapore-based artisanal bath and body brand, provides a refreshing solution with their botanical soaps and bath essentials. On a mission to inspire mindful living, they handcraft soaps in small batches using botanicals sourced from around the world. Their commitment to using natural ingredients like essential oils and dried herbs ensures that only the finest, skin-safe elements make it into their products.

Their focus on natural ingredients and zero-waste practices also means their products are gentle on your skin and less harmful to water ecosystems. Moreover, they even sell loose soap pieces to minimise waste, demonstrating their dedication to sustainability.

By choosing Rough Beauty, you support a brand that prioritises both quality and the environment. Their botanical-infused soaps offer an easy way to bring the essence of nature into your daily routine, while offering an eco-friendly yet luxurious bathing experience. 

Check out their best-sellers on their website, along with household soaps to give your home an extra touch of luxury.

Bringing nature indoors

Whether it is through cultivating a green thumb or shopping for botanical products, there are plenty of ways to creatively introduce nature at home, and we encourage everyone to look to our local brands and support emerging talents in this space. 

If you have found these tips useful, you can also join our Facebook and Instagram Giveaway and be one of 10 lucky winners to take home a $30 eCapitaVoucher and a Geneco Green Starter Kit (worth $40) that consists of a foldable umbrella, collapsible water bottle, reusable straw, and grocery net bag.

Simply answer the question in our comments section: “Name 1 local handcrafted botanical brand featured in our blog that can revitalise your home”. The contest ends on 31st May 2024. Terms and conditions apply. 

Together, let’s join hands to #PowerTheChange and nurture our nature for a sustainable future.

As global temperatures continue to rise, at a pace of 0.2°C per decade, the frequency and severity of extreme weather phenomena, from scorching heat waves to devastating hurricanes and wildfires, are on the rise globally.

Amidst the shifting climate landscape, Earth Day, which is held on 22 April every year, serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard and conserve the environment that we call home. Participating in planting activities, in particular, offers a meaningful way to commemorate this occasion, fostering hands-on education and a tangible connection with nature.

Here at Geneco, Earth Day represents more than a once-a-year celebration — it embodies our ongoing dedication to fostering environmental awareness all year round. As Singapore’s No. 1 Residential Electricity Retailer, we recognise the important role that we have in advocating for sustainability for the well-being of future generations.

From supporting local grassroots campaigns to participating in nationwide initiatives like the National Parks Board’s #OneMillionTrees Movement, we hope to inspire and encourage everyone to join us in playing your part and taking action.

If you are eager to extend your commitment beyond Earth Day, here are 4 innovative ways that you can cultivate sustainable habits and start sowing the seeds of change.

1. Grow your own fresh greens at home