Hey, Charming!
As the header reads, Malaysia has gone back into full lockdown. Phase one of the Movement Contol Order (MCO 3.0) which began on June 1 was to end on June 14, but as the government just announced, has been extended for yet another 2 weeks until June 28.
For those who are least optimistic like me, we know the country's battle against Covid-19 is for the long haul, and this lockdown may stretch on further than expected. Armed with this premonition, I've decided to share 5 of my top learnings on how to stay happy and contented during this mandatory #stayhome period.
P.s. This isn't one of my usual topics but I thought it could benefit some of you. If you are having a hard time coping with this lockdown, know that you are not alone. Stay strong and keep hanging on!
1 | Love Your Morning Routine
Have you ever experienced the best day of your life?
Recall closely to that day, what was your morning like? I bet it was nothing short of wonderful i.e. sunshine and birds chirping.
Rather than depending on weather conditions to predict your mood of the day, why not opt to create a personal morning routine that guarantees from now onwards, each day will be the "best day of your life?"
If you can only focus on one tip at a time, I suggest you start with this one. I've had so many happier days just simply by practicing a good morning routine. More importantly, the morning habits that I've formed were easy enough that I could do it for a long time and none of it felt like a chore.
Note that there is no such thing as the perfect morning routine. A good morning routine differs according to each individual. It would probably take a little bit of trial and error to figure out what works best for you. For reference purposes, here's what my morning routine looks like in 59 seconds.
My morning routine begins even before I go to bed the night before. As a general rule, I set my alarm for 7:30am, an hour earlier than my usual waketime so that I have sufficient time to gear myself up for a good day forward
2 | Work.. But Also, Don't Forget to Rest!
Since the onset of the pandemic, most of us have transitioned from working at the office to working from home (WFH). Without a doubt, the shift in workspace has brought about major changes including new sets of challenges. A common grievance among office workers is that lines have been blurred between work and personal life.
We are not short on stories in the media where employees are forced to work throughout lunch breaks or way past standard working hours because of poorly scheduled meetings and other "emergencies." Sadly, this is becoming the new norm since WFH implies that staff should be flexible and accessible at all times.
An advocate for work-life balance, I believe that we do have a duty to the company to give our best at the workplace, but at the same time, employees are also entitled to rest in their time outside work.
I do it so you should too.
Don't feel guilty if you need time to step away from work. Learn to pay attention to your body's cues and levels of fatigue. You know best when it is the right time to ease off the gas or to put the pedal to the metal.
If you have recently been feeling anxious about your work, moody, and/or lacking in motivation, I would suggest taking leave (though we are all stuck at home now) to put away your work and to focus on taking care of yourself first. Trust me when I say you will be more productive when you feel better, both body and mind.
3 | Put Away Your Screens and Get Moving
It's a lockdown, I understand. There is not much you can do at home that is as convenient as reaching for the nearest remote control, laptop or phone. But did you know that excessive screen time could be detrimental to your health?
According to a 2017 study, researchers found that adults who spend six hours or more a day watching TV or using computers faced a higher risk of depression compared to those who adhere to moderate screen time. Besides compromising on mental health, prolonged screen time causes strain to the eyes and can also make a person more sluggish and lazy because of long periods sitting in one position. In that case, what is the solution?
Well, have you tried working out?
For some, beginning a workout can feel like a daunting task. You may even wonder if it is necessary or worth it when you have no qualms about your current weight.
However, exercising is more than just about physical appearances.
When you sweat, your body triggers the release of a chemical called endorphin that is scientifically proven to induce a "runner's high" or euphoric feeling that is an effective pain and stress reliever.
Some of my favourite fitness YouTubers that I follow regularly include Chloe Ting, Growingannanas, and Heather Robertson.
Their home-friendly workouts are suitable for all fitness levels from beginner, intermediate to experts. They have tons of videos to choose from including those with added weights or resistance bands to increase the intensity of your workout and other spot training.
Not sure where to start? No problem, just follow any one of their free workout programs and you will be set to go!
4 | Treat yourself, Silly
This may sound counterintuitive and quite bizarre to some, but let me suggest that you take this pandemic as an opportunity to treat yourself.
During a non-pandemic year, you might have been saving up extra dollars to afford that one overseas trip to Europe or somewhere in the Americas, but with current situations, it is unlikely that travel will be permitted or safe until maybe the middle of next year. With that unspent money, why not splurge it on something you have been eyeing for some time already?
Remember that oven you wanted to get last Christmas but didn't because you think you wouldn't have time to learn baking? Now is the right time to get it! And that Chinese silk bedsheet and comforter you thought you could do without? Get it!
It is already tough staying home so why not make this an enjoyable experience?
Before you get carried away with all the splurging, I am in no way encouraging you to throw away all your hard-earned money lest forgetting to even save. What I am asking is that you give yourself permission to treat yourself to something nice every once in a while, just enough to keep ones' spirits up to weather current situations.
On a side note, we have heard that the economy isn't in its best shape now because of this pandemic. All the more (if we are able to and can afford it) we should support local businesses. Rather than sealing our pockets, why not try to help out your neighbourhood Kopitiam uncle/auntie make their keep? There are many #SapotLokal initiatives out there, simply check out the listings here or do a quick Google search to find out more.
5 | Always, Always Plan Ahead
One of the things I found most comforting during this home lockdown was planning out how I would spend my free time.
Being an extrovert who craved social interactions and outdoor activities, lockdown life was hard to get used to at first because of the amount of idle time at home. That all changed when I begin scheduling my weekends.
I started by listing down a couple of things I like doing at home, new hobbies or seminars I wanted to try, and all the movies/shows I said I would catch up on. Once I gathered all information, I plotted them into my calendar journal for that month, making sure I would have an activity I could look forward to each weekend.
If there were any empty slots, I would then leave it to spontaneity or whatever I was in the mood to do.
Looking at my filled-up calendar reduced my anxiety about having too much vacant time which played a huge role in keeping me in a state of constant happiness and contentment!
If you don't already have a journal, you should check out my blog post: The 7 Best Planners and Journals You Need for 2021 here
To sum it up, the above 5 tips may not be the freshest ideas out there but I thought it might be a good reminder to you readers out there during these challenging times. Do let me know if you have tried any of my suggestions and how did it work for you. Hope you guys are staying safe.
If you find yourself struggling with mental health issues and need professional help, you can reach out to the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) or Befrienders.
That's all for now. Till next time!
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