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How To Spread Vibes (Not Viruses) During Extended CB

Now that Circuit Breaker has been extended till 1st of June, what should we be doing for the next 31 days of stuck-at-home? For those of us barely staying sane during the past month CB, that question is enough to make us throw furniture out of HDBs or doubt the sincerity of our foreign workers falling sick (because infection is a choice and you better believe it).  

Rest assured that we’ve got you covered with some excellent ideas. Here are a few things you can start doing (if you haven’t already!) to protect yourself from becoming a threat to society: 

Reconnect with someone 
There are so many apps /platforms that we can use to talk to each other “face to face” nowadays that we no longer have the excuse to blame social distancing for that long-overdue reunion. Being trapped within four walls might just be the perfect time to revitalize old relationships. Give someone a call via Zoom or Hangouts and ask them how they’re coping with the pandemic– it could be a distant cousin, a classmate you’ve lost touch with previously or even your ex-girlfriend.  (Just tell your wife it wasn’t us who suggested that last one.)

Be serious (and legal) about having fun 
Challenge your friends to new things that you can do together online. Playing free games, starting projects, video yourself making Dalgona coffee, attempting 30-day fitness challenges or joining dance-offs on Tik-Tok… the list goes on and on. Now that we have another month of craziness to go, at least make sure we are enjoying ourselves, even if it’s only for 30mins a day. 

Keep a diary (or confess everything you were going to write on there) 
If you’re a shy person, consider keeping a diary to record down your experiences, feelings and reflections throughout this crisis so your grandchildren can have something to laugh about next time. If writing is too much commitment, find a private space or platform  to share your thoughts anonymously and speak with others going through the same experiences. Jokes aside, we all need a listening ear and plenty of empathy during this difficult time. Don’t bottle things up!

Know what NOT to say online 
Now that the whole of Singapore (and most of the world) has moved onto the internet, the community of online trolls, keyboard warriors, digital rumour mills and conspiracy theorists has increased exponentially.  Don’t give them more fuel! Keep a cool head when verbal-sparring and always remember to spare a kind word for those experiencing hardship if you come across these poor souls during your digital foray.

Written & Edited by : Ron Ma
Published on : 22/04/2020
Image : Source/Mohit Suthar – Unsplash

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The “Essential Kit” to going out in Singapore

The “Essential Kit” to going out in Singapore

With the implementation of the Circuit Breaker measures, do remember, only leave your house if it is for “essential” purposes, as you risk exposing yourself to the coronavirus.

If you do need to go out, here’s a list of items which you should have with you at all times:

  1. Mask- either surgical or reusable. Surgical masks are able to filter bacteria more effectively, but the reusable mask given to all households still serves as a form of basic protection. Be sure to wash the reusable mask with warm water and soap after use.
     
  2. Hand sanitiser. Washing your hands with soap is the best way to protect yourself. Viruses, with the coronavirus being a prime example, may have an outer protective layer. Soap can break down this layer of the virus and to help them get washed away (together with other impurities) more effectively. If there is no available sink nearby, hand sanitisers are your next best option as the alcohol content can help to kill pathogens. So, keep one handy (no pun intended).
     
  3.  Reusable containers. If you are going out to buy food, you are encouraged to bring along your own containers. Not only does this alleviate the stress on the hawkers’ disposable containers supply, you will be doing your part to save the environment too!
     
  4. Water. Drinking water will not “flush the virus” out of the body, but it is always a good idea to stay hydrated, especially in times like these! Although we really shouldn’t, but drinking enough water is something that’s easy for many of us to overlook.

Water regulates our body temperature, helps to carry oxygen to body cells and remove toxins, amongst its many benefits. The lack of water weakens our immune system and make us more susceptible to diseases, which can really make you a sitting duck during this period!

While these few tools in this kit may protect you to a certain extent, the best protection  would still be to stay home as much as possible, wash your hands with soap regularly, and always maintain a safe distance from the people around you.

Stay safe!

Written by : Cheong Shu Yin
Edited by :  Ling Wei Ming
Published on : 16/04/2020
Image : Source / Envato Elements

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Depression: False Delusion or Serious Medical Condition?

DEPRESSION: FALSE DELUSION OR SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION?

Chester Bennington’s suicide shone a light on the topic of depression. But is depression simply a state of mind or is it a dark terror hiding in plain sight?

Linkin Park front man Chester Bennington was found dead in his home shortly after the release of the band’s seventh album, One More Light, in 2017. This caused a media uproar, which sparked many negative comments on the selfishness of his actions and how he left his friends, family and fans behind with no regard for their well-being.

The truth is, Chester’s suicide was not as sudden as we all thought it was. All the signs were there, hidden in plain sight. His last few songs, which many of us simply dismissed as the decline of a has-been way past his prime, were his way of leaving behind a deeper, darker message. Unfortunately, most of us didn’t realise it until it was too late.

Depression is not a phase, it’s an illness

Most folks wouldn’t tell a person with physical disabilities to stop faking it or a homosexual that they’re just going through a phase. What makes depression any different? On the outside, depression may look like a convenient excuse to some but in reality, it is a mental disorder that should not be taken lightly.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression. It plays a major role in global disability and disease; and, at its worst, can lead to suicide. The 2016 Singapore Mental Health Study also found that one in seven Singaporeans have suffered from depression at some point in their lives. That equates to 13.9 percent of the entire population, a 1.9 percent increase from a similar study conducted in 2010.

The saddest people smile the brightest

Despite Chester Bennington’s suicide, the stigma of depression being a delusion rather than a condition still remains. Many still believe that being depressed is a choice and can be eradicated at will. High-functioning depression, an invisible illness that may be more difficult to detect than major depressive disorder, could explain why.

For the most part, people living with high-functioning depression often come across as high achievers who have everything to be grateful for. But therein lies the danger. Under a seemingly untroubled exterior lies a bottomless pit of anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and a host of detrimental symptoms. Or so it seems.

Depression is not a death sentence

Depression is often viewed as incurable and considered a sign of weakness, especially for those who believe that they will lose everything once they come out. Those who do express their feelings, on the other hand, have probably heard replies such as, “Don’t lie, you’re the happiest person I know,” one too many times.

But that should not affect a person’s decision to seek help. The 2016 study found that more than three-quarters of people who had a mental disorder at least once in their lifetime did not seek professional help. This, coupled with the rise in lifetime prevalence of mental illness from 12 percent in 2010 to 13.9 percent in 2016 is cause for concern, especially when the consequence of not seeking help is potentially fatal.

From psychiatrists to psychologists, support groups to anonymous depression chat rooms; you name it, they’ve got it. Whatever the case may be, there are always ways to fight this illness. Those who suffer from depression should never say, in the words of Chester Bennington himself, “But in the end, it doesn’t even matter.”

Writer : Anthony Lim
Editor : Ling Weiming
Date of Publishing : 22/07/2019

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Health My Foot!

Improving Your Foot Health 

While taking care of one’s feet may not be the first thing to come to mind about health, but if you have ever gone for a foot massage, you would most probably have heard the Traditional Chinese Medicine saying that your foot is your second heart. Yet, it is estimated that four out of five adults suffer from a foot problem at least once in their life.

As the so-called second heart, our feet are mirrors of our general health. A professional masseur can identify your bodily illness simply by massaging each pressure point in your feet. As the body part that probably receives the most wear and tear, common foot problems including heel pain, bunions, and inflammation of the tendon, could potentially damage your knees, hip, and your entire spine.

However, do not worry! The preventive measure for common foot problems and taking care of your general foot health is not complicated at all.

Wear the Right Shoes

Avoid Wearing Painful Shoes

First of all, choosing the right shoes is important. Wearing the wrong shoe sizes or shape will exert extra pressure on our feet, even distorting the structure of the foot, leading to painful foot problems like arch spasms and tendinitis.

To find the right shoes, always measure your feet before buying the shoes. Make sure you can wiggle your toes a little inside the shoes. Do try on both shoes and walk a few steps to see if they pinch or rub. Our feet tend to swell a little during the day, so shop for your shoes in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest.

Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry

Author: rawpixel.com Image Credit: www.freepik.com

Fungal infections are also one of the most common foot problems. Make sure you clean your feet thoroughly with soap and water when you bathe. But more importantly, dry your feet thoroughly! Wipe off the moisture in between your toes as those are exactly where fungal organisms love the most.

Wear clean socks whenever you are wearing closed shoes to maintain the dryness and avoid rental footwear as that would only increase your odds of getting an infection. Also, trim your toenails regularly and properly. Toenails which are too long will collect dirt, while toenails trimmed too short might cause ingrown nails, a condition where the toenail grows into the flesh surrounding it.

Exercise Your Feet

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Author: kjpargeter Image Credit: www.freepik.com

Exercising your feet will not only improve blood circulation, but it can also prevent many potential foot injuries including sprains. Focus your foot exercises on flexibility and strength. Some simple workouts for your foot are the ankle rolls, which improves your feet’s range of motion and rolling a ball under your feet to strengthen your ligaments.

Do remember that these are mere preventive measures and should you actually experience a foot infection or injury, please always refer to a foot orthotic expert. They would be able to recommend devices to support, correct, compensate or accommodate any physical deformity, weakness and skeletal muscular or neuromuscular abnormalities that cause foot problems.