This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 22, 2021 - February 28, 2021
The pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of many people as they observe social distancing and stay home. Here are some ways to get creative and lift the spirits.
1 Cara Cara Mental Fitness
Have you ever felt stagnant? Do you want to achieve personal and professional growth without breaking the bank?
Cara Cara is a team of therapists who work to provide affordable and accessible mental health services for individuals of all races, religions, sexual orientations and gender identities. The team does not, however, diagnose mental illness nor do they prescribe or sell any psychotropic medication.
Therapy sessions are conducted in-person at their private office suite or via video calls and, since the pandemic, the latter has been the only option. For more information, visit www.caracara.space.
2 Educational documentaries
It is always a good time to learn something new, and documentaries are a trend nowadays, thanks to Netflix and other on-demand subscription services.
Those who do not have a subscription with Netflix will be glad to know that its YouTube page has a free “Educational Documentaries” playlist. It offers many well-known docu-series such as Our Planet, Explained and Abstract.
If you enjoy documentaries, it may be worth subscribing to services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime to access more content.
3 Duolingo
Have you ever wanted to learn a new language but were previously unable to find the time to do so or could not afford classes?
Duolingo is a website and app that offers classes for more than 20 languages taught in an enjoyable and compelling manner. It is designed to feel like a game and scientifically proven to be effective. Best of all, it is free, although you do have to pay if you want to upgrade to Duolingo Plus.
4 Headspace — meditation and mindfulness
We often find ourselves so caught up with the world that we forget to pause for a minute and just breathe. Headspace is a meditation and mindfulness app that offers quick and easy ways to reduce stress and even, if you need it, put you to sleep.
If you would like to check it out without committing any money upfront, there is a two-week free basic course, after which you will need to subscribe.
For more information, visit www.headspace.com.
5 TED-Ed: Lessons Worth Sharing
This website is for those who use learning as a coping mechanism. The wide range of lessons helps you learn something new on a regular basis. The courses are appropriate for all age groups, too.
TED-Ed encourages audiences to discuss big ideas and you can visit it at ed.ted.com.
6 Podcasts to help you sleep
From teenagers to the elderly, it is undeniable that many struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Proper rest can be achieved only when one’s state of mind is at ease, with no worries to spare.
Spotify is rich in podcasts that may help you relax and unwind. Here are some personal favourites:
Sleep Whispers
Sleep Whispers is a podcast of “whispered ramblings and readings to put you to sleep” with an overlay of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response). ASMR is defined as a feeling of well-being combined with a tingling sensation in the scalp and at the back of the neck. It is experienced by some people in response to a specific gentle stimulus, often a particular sound.
Deep Energy Podcast
Deep Energy Podcast is a podcast of ambient and new music for sleep, meditation, relaxation, massage, yoga, reiki and therapy.
The podcast combines the sounds of nature with synthesisers, which is also widely known as sound healing. Fun fact: The benefits of sound healing include improved sleep, lower stress levels, fewer mood swings and lower blood pressure.
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