Let’s face it; the MCO period is the only long holiday that everyone is definitely pishang over. While some of us are keeping ourselves busy with Tik Toks and Dalgona Coffee recipes, it is taking a turn for the worst for those battling with mental issues. Pretty sure those who were poking fun at people with mental health issues are now starting to feel like their lives have turned upside down themselves.
What’s worst, according to the ministry’s corporate communications department, the MCO period is revealing a 57% spike in calls to the Talian Kasih helpline not only for domestic abuse complaints but also for psychological and mental health consultation *gulps*.
The go-to advice to relieve yourself from mental distress pre-MCO was always to go out.. get some fresh air.. and hang out with friends.. err those advice did not age, well didn’t they? Overcoming depression and anxiety is already a difficult task on its own. Imagine being cooped up in the small vicinity of your house for a month? It won’t take long before the voices in your mind will slowly swallow every other sense and rationality left in you.
With the conventional tips deemed almost impractical, what exactly can you do to maintain your mental health?
#1 Understand The Fundamental Issue
First things first, identify that a problem does exist within your psyche. Denial and refusing help will only cause you to come apart at the seams in no time. Got it? Great job my dudes! Now, redefine isolation to “OMG I’m stuck here forever” to “I have more time to focus on myself”. Your approach to this quarantine will determine how this MCO period sets out to be. Take this opportunity to pamper yourself. Jack up your skin care routine, binge on Netflix, discover new music.
#2 Don’t Take What You Read At Face Value
Next, limit your news consumption to reliable media outlets. It’s easy to fall victim to fear mongering and panic when you’re on Twitter a huge chunk of the day. We suggest for you guys to follow Majlis Keselamatan Negara and Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia’s social media accounts for credible information on the pandemic.
#3 Take Up New Skills!
You’re getting there! Baby steps okay. Another tip to alleviate the stress you are under is to break free from your normal routine. We know most of you are practising the sacred ritual of “Eat, Sleep, Repeat” STOP! Your brain will go to exhaustion mode when you are not allowing any room for creativity. Take up a new skill, incorporate exercising and meditating into your daily habits too.
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#4 You Are What You Eat
Ever heard of the saying you are what you eat? Yes. Treat that hot bod of yours like a temple. While you’re out for a quick grocery run, be sure to grab lots of fruits and vegetables. Fatty and sugary foods would only give acne breakouts and weight gain and we wouldn’t want THAT kind of stress on your plate. And to my fellow caffeine lovers, maybe take it easy on the coffee? Caffeine will only drive your anxiety through the roof. Consume moderately guys!
#5 Helping Others
If you are in a position to help others, you are highly encouraged to do so. What has this got to do with your mental health you ask? Well chances are when you are under emotional distress, you tend to feel a general sense of emptiness and dislike about yourself. By making others happy, you are generating positive emotions to latch on to. In a way, it will help you to shift your focus from your own self-scrutiny to someone else’s pain and worries. And that’s what we call a charitable Queen. Period.
“ The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope. ” – Barack Obama
#6 SLEEEEPPPPP
It's 3AM and you are tempted to press Delete & Play Next on Netflix. Press the off switch and choose to hit the sack instead. Remember, sleep is extremely crucial for your mental health and it is when your body begins its restorative process. Having said that, excessive sleeping is equally harmful. Experts linked 7 hours of sleep to lower mortality and better brain health. So start scheduling your sleeping pattern accordingly and you will see an instant improvement to your mood.
#7 REACH OUT
Always find peace in the idea that locking yourself in your home is doing your country a monumental service. This will create a sense of togetherness in an otherwise lonely situation. The circumstances upon us right now are pretty bleak but help is just a call away. Never feel ashamed to reach out for professional help if your anxiety and depression is spiralling out of control.
Much of all of the problems in life require us to not shy away from asking the right questions and researching the best solutions to overcome challenges. Once you find the right tools to manage your mental health, you are one step closer to liberating your mind from the monsters that are holding you hostage.
Want to know more on mental health recovery?
Watch this episode of Hello I have Issues with guest Johanna Johari, a counselling psychologist to share her fruitful insights on overcoming depression and you are all set to lead a fuller and more rewarding life!
