Written by Ardi
Since the announcement of the MCO in Malaysia ( and now the extension! ), we all have been staying in our homes with nowhere to go. So many travel plans have been cancelled, stress over having enough food at home and being bombarded by news everyday with COVID-19 information can really take a toll on our mental health. We have put up some a list of few ways to help reduce your anxiety and help to prevent you from going down on a spiral of negative emotions and thoughts.
Know that things will get better
Credit: @joshaerale (unsplash)
The first week or so of being isolated can be tough. It is obvious that such a sudden change in our lifestyle can be pretty hard to adapt to but give it some time and you will end up being comfortable in your own environment. Don’t forget that all of these are temporary and it will not last forever, it’s for the sake of all of us as a community.
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
Credit: Pixbay
Our mind and body are connected, so if you want a peace of mind, make sure you are looking after your physical health as well! Gyms might be closed down but you can take up some home exercises, You can find apps like Nike Training Club, 7 Minute Workout, Daily Yoga and youtube channels such as POPSUGAR Fitness and OFFICIALTHENX that can guide you on how to stay active and fit while staying indoors. Also you can check out The Honest Guys for meditation if that’s something you are interested in
Apart from a good exercise, eating healthy can really put you in a good mood and don’t worry, you don’t need to be a 5 star chef to make tasty home-cooked food. You can easily find cooking channels on youtube such as Marion’s Kitchen, Jamie Oliver, Spice N’ Pans that offer easy and tasty recipes to cook.
Talk It Out
Credit: @siavashghanbari (unsplash)
If you have been to a therapist or if you feel your emotions are taking over and no one is there to talk with, remember that there are hotlines dedicated for this situation. Don’t feel shy or embarrassed to pick up the phone and contact them. They are trained to listen to you and guide you to a better place. There are local hotlines such as befriends and Mercy where you can get assisted and help if you need it.
Keep In Touch With Others
Credit: @matzby (unsplash)
We may not be able to go out and meet our co-workers and friends like just a few weeks ago but that doesn’t mean that all of our connections must be stopped until the lockdown is over! Thanks to our advancement in technology, we can video/voice call any of our loved ones and friends from anywhere in the world! It can help normalize things for us and direct our mind for a while away from the chaos and more towards a better space
Accomplish Tiny Achievements
Credit: @schmaendels (unsplash)
It is fine if you are not extremely productive everyday and get a great deal of work done. Don’t put high expectations on yourself because it can make you feel as if you are not productive enough but we all are doing our best in the situation that we are. Rearranging your closets or calculating your monthly expenses can be small tasks you can achieve and have tiny rewards for yourself!
