Having goals can beat stress during MCO

JOHOR BAHRU: It has been 48 days since the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into force and today is the first day of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

There is no denying that the community has faced numerous challenges, mentally and physically.

Hence, setting daily goals is one of the recommended methods to manage the stress of being ‘confined’ at home for too long, following the implementation of the MCO.

According to Permai Hospital clinical psychologist Norhameeza Ahmad, individuals who have daily goals to achieve have a positive outlook on their life even though they may face difficulties.

On the other hand, individuals who lack goals are susceptible to feeling worthless when facing difficulties which would expose them to stress.

“For instance, before (the

MCO) we woke up in the morning with the goal of going to work, to earn an income, then we returned home. Now, once we are up, we are forced to think about things to do today in order for us to ‘check’ a goal.

“People feel useless when they don’t have a goal to check every day. No goals to be checked after 40 days of MCO would result in them being at risk (of experiencing stress),” she told Bernama in an interview recently.

According to Norhameeza, household members can participate in many activities during the MCO period.

Watering the plants, house cleaning, cooking, and playing with children are some of the goals one can accomplish at home.

For those who are feeling the stress of losing jobs or facing pay cuts, she suggested a mindset change where they should not consider the MCO as an obstacle to upgrade themselves.