#MCOExtended: Self-Care & Resilience amidst the Covid19 lock down

As the Malaysia's Movement Control Operation (MCO), a more optimistic word than "lock down" which we are so looking forward to end on the 14th April has now been extended for yet another two weeks. At this point it should come as no surprises to many of us as this is a mandatory move to curb new clusters.

I had been looking forward mostly because it meant that people who make daily living could revert to opening their businesses. The good news is while the MCO is still in effect, some small business owners can operate again and several e-commerce sites are now available to assist them. Thumbs up for that!

I was initially feeling really restless having to be trapped in my own rented room but this MCO had presented some opportunities in a way I get to finally do things I always told myself to do. Some of the new things I attempted since the start of the MCO on March 18th includes finally working out, meditation and I learn to sign the alphabets last week!

But then there are some who probably feel stressed up with this whole extension _some of us who have so many roles to play and suddenly there are almost zero time out from each and every roles, it can get suffocating. Others are stressed out due to lesser to no income, some the possibility of losing jobs. Others are simply overwhelmed because we feel powerless by this whole situation. By now you've seen a few guides on how to manage stress and keep our body & mind occupied. These below are my tested & preferred ways to keep a positive mind & healthy body throughout the MCO:-

#1 Move your body!

HIIT, tabata, pilates and yoga are the keywords you are looking for. I find them quite similar to one another and equally effective.

The fitness Youtuber I am following religiously is Emi Wong. Her workout videos are short ranging 10-30 minutes long where she switches up poses every minute _ 45-second of exercise or stretch followed by 15-second rest which meant a you only spend 3.25 minute exercise for every 5-minute workout. And seriously, if it's only 3-minute long, you kinda run out of excuses not to do them!

After just several days doing consistently, I definitely feel stronger physically, my posture better, my body less achy or stiff, I can sleep so much sounder at night and feel happier _ anger has been something of a personal issue on weeks leading up to the lock down. Only recently I realized this is because I had to deal with things that I have no control of but they took up so much of my time & mental space and I didn't have outlets to express my anger so it bottled up. So yes, the kicking and punching with alternate lunges are amazing!

Best of all, I think I loose a few centimeters all over and flabby meats are now replaced with leaner muscles. Loosing weight for me hasn't come easy despite occasional diets and my consistent endurance jogging. Like, why haven't I discovered these workouts sooner?? I also thought signing up for the gym would be the only sure fire way to get results but after this MCO, I may just stick to doing my own workouts at home or in the park.

I challenge you to increase the number of videos and perform more reps in a single day! Start with 1-2 videos (10-20 minutes each) split between day and evening in one day and then increase to 2 videos (30 minutes) continuously in a day and then maybe an hour workout twice or more times a week.  By the way, you don't need to work out every parts of your body every single day! My favorite is the legs workout which I try to do up to five times a week. On alternate days or when I am bored of watching the same video, I will challenge the full body fat burn and abs. You can switch up your routine for variety and to focus on other target body parts.

If you prefer something light, consider yoga. Here's a Youtube my newfound workout buddy has shared with me. I have not attempted because I'm super happy with the results from Emi's videos but one thing I discovered was how similar they are, albeit yoga being more slow & relax but enough to make you sweat apparently.

#2 Meditation

Similar to exercise, it took a lock down for me to discover you would not need to spend a long time meditating. The 1-week meditation challenge a friend shared by the same Youtuber "Yoga with Tim". Since it takes only 5-minutes each day, I am totally in! Though after trying this out, I am actually considering to attempt longer meditation sessions.

#3 Deep Breathing

This was something I came across attending the virtual wellness talk held by my company where one recommendation was deep breathing. I find this is somewhat similar to meditation where you are mindful over your breathing.

Point #2 & #3 are simpler exercises and I do notice how I'm calmer after I do these. However, I attribute my feeling happier as a result from the physical workouts. Seriously do the air punches and kicks, they're so good!

#4 Eating healthy

Probably the worst advice I can give because I cannot cook since working from home meant that I am still occupied with work and without much fridge space (selfish housemates issue) I cannot store fresh groceries. In the first few weeks of MCO, I have no choice but to have instant noodles for most meals because most stalls and kopitiams nearby weren't open until recently.

However, I make sure to incorporate sweet potatoes, chickpeas, eggs and fruits and when I can get wet groceries, some simple, hearty & healthy one-pot meals. I also consume daily multi-vits to boost my immune system besides giving me the sufficient daily dose of nutrients. On top of that, I totally skipped out instant coffee throughout MCO and brew my own black with way-y lesser sugar than what I used to include. Still hate it when my coffee is bitter but mildly bitter is fine and when taken with breakfast of flavored biscuits, it's much acceptable.

For those luckier to be at home and can stock up on fresh ingredients, do have a more wholesome meals. They don't need to be extravagant to be healthy!

#5 Keeping in touch 
with people who matter

Us humans are by nature social animals and I can say we do need them now more than ever. That's a perspective from this introvert. Before MCO, it was easier to want to come back and be by myself after spending my limited energy reserve socializing at work, commuting and be part of the whole rat race. But now that I'm stuck at home and not able to do a lot things, I am restless just being in my room! I now have a bunch of kakis I can connect with to keep me company while we motivate one another to stick to our goals. If it wasn't for this #MCO I wouldn't have reconnected and be in touch with my friends as often so I guess there are some silver lining to this crappy situation.

If I'm already complaining, I can imagine how extroverts are having harder time. But whether you're an introvert, extrovert or ambivert, we all need company. Thank goodness these days we have smartphones and social media for that! There are also mental & psychological support lines if you need listening ears from professionals. Don't shy away from them!

Last but not least, a reminder to stick to a weekday-weekend routine, don't forget to maintain a good personal hygiene, take time to do deep breaths, laugh & be in the present. If you're lucky to be with your family, take this opportunity to spend time with them. Let's all stay safe & healthy! #DudukRumahDiamDiam #LOL

all the hair care products you'll ever need

Besides my face, my hair is another part of my body that requires high maintenance. Maybe because over the years they have been subjected to tons of hair dyes and once bleach. Don't ever bleach unless you want to spend a lot to repair it, it's horrible! Also as I work in the office, I do want to look presentable, I won't consider myself super vain (heck, I don't like selfies!) but impression still matters!

So if you have fizzy hair, here are all the tried and tested hair products that truly does wonders. I think it's only in the recent months after using these products that my hair have been in their best condition in years! Thanks to this post you don't have to experiment with other brands that don't really work. You're welcome!

#1 Best Commercial Shampoo 

& Conditioner under RM50

I have no idea what took me so long to trying Dove hair care products (Shopee.MY)! Bought this to interchange with the other higher end shampoo (to stretch my monies) and found it works. Ok, you'd say perhaps its my other shampoo doing the work but I did use this for weeks when I emptied the others and it moisturizes my hair so well! Available in most local supermarket from RM20-RM30 per bottle.

#2 Best Shampoo over RM50

I have 2 brands to introduce but first, gotta share my absolute favorite which is the Goldwell Kerasilk Reconstruct Shampoo (Amazon | Shopee.MY), it has dethroned Midori as a personal favorite because of how longer lasting the effect is. It totally convert my dry and fizzy hair to super smooth. One downside is that my hair got so thin they start to fall but otherwise, I love this lots! Bought it from Hair Zone for RM110 (250ml bottle).

One other brand I want to share is Marc Anthony's 100% Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Shea Butter Shampoo (Amazon | Shopee.MY) that retails in Watsons at RM51 (250ml tube). I have always wanted to try coconut oil-base shampoos and couldn't find a brand to try until recently. Almost wanted to DIY my own HAHAHA! I think the price is alright considering coconut oil are quite expensive. This shampoo lathers mildly and doesn't spread easily like normal shampoo so I have to use a lot to cover my long hair. Still, feels ultra clean after washing and I'm not sure if it actually strips off the oil or moisture because my hair feels too light weighted. It's the complete opposite to when I use Bioma that seems to make my hair absorb more water literally. The coconut scent is quite strong and can also take some time to getting use to.

#3 Best Hair Treatment

Hands down this goes to Bioma Plant+9 Hair Treatment. For best result, to use 2-3 times a week, leaving it for at least 5-10 minutes before washing off. Optionally, can be use daily like a conditioner if you don't want to let it stay. A tiny bit goes a long way! I've looked around but this appears to be only available at Hair Zone for RM158 or Shopee.MY for less (update: I found the sellers on Shopee are using my photos without permission WTF).

#4 Best Hair Revitalizing Spray

Yet another favorite of mine, the Kosenze Ocean Miracle Spray. I don't really know what to categorize this product as since it's not the kind of spray to set your hair. Best use on lightly toweled dry hair for soft, less frizzy hair plus it smells super good. It's my lazy days remedy when I don't to have the time for conditioner or treatment but need to look presentable. It can also be used as heat protection spray before ironing and for UV-protection. Available in Hair Zone for RM69 (150ml) or Shopee.MY.

#5 Best Hair Oil

I'm not the biggest fan of hair oil, many just leave your hair very greasy and they don't seem to do much besides weighing you hair down. I had vowed never to buy another until Keratase Elixir Ultime (Amazon | Shopee.MY). It does wonders by making my hair look healthy and really brings out the color of your hair (if you dye them). Aside from that, it claims to protect your hair against the heat, and leave it untangled, easier to style, and free from frizz.

Hair Zone carries two brands, I do not remember the other but it has a branded (Is it Chanel or Dior?) eu de parfum infused in it. Apparently it's quite a hot item despite the price and was sold out.

This is another of my lazy day solution and can be use on wet or dry hair. So if I happen to need to go out but did not do treatment or spray the Kosenze Ocean Miracle Spray the night before (I wash my hair at night), this comes in real handy! Also a product which I bought from Hair Zone for RM150 (100ml). I believe you can find it in most other saloons considering Keratase is quite a well-known hair care brand.

#6 Best Hair Ampoules

My favorite thus far is Artizta, again something my hairdresser from Hair Zone recommended at RM45 for each ampule. For one ampule, you can feel and see the difference with results lasting for 2 weeks. It smells heavenly too! Love this so much but can't do it often because it's so pricey to do in the saloon!! Good news though, I look it up and found this online at Shopee.MY for RM160+ 12 vials. I have not tested it out so I cannot vouch on the authenticity of the product on Shopee but definitely keeping in view.

Even though ampoules are pricey, it's economical in a way that after applying it I can just skipped all the conditioning/treatment, hair spray or hair oil for the entire two weeks. Washing your hair isn't an option to skip though.

#7 Best DIY Hair Dyes

I love experimenting with DIY hair dyes and have tried Liese, Herbatint Permanent Hair Color Gel and April Skin Color Treatment _ these in the order of my preferences. Liese bubble hair dye (Amazon | Shopee.MY) is one brand I had used multiple times and it is by far the easiest to use with the most favorable results. Also, the foam makes it super easy to apply and gives you a much even coverage!

~♡~

Personally, I wouldn't advice y'all to get everything I list at one go. If I have to choose, a good shampoo and treatment (in replace of hair conditioner) goes a long way! I tend to get a high range shampoo and a lower range (Dove is amazing!) one to interchange just so I don't need to replace the expensive one as frequent LOL. Just a strategy for stretching your dollar.

Then the hair ampules are quite extra but I find they make your hair healthier and the effect last longer so it's worth it!

Finally, the Keratase hair oil and Kosenze spray is my go-to on busy or lazy days because you see results without much fuss though it lasts a day or two. If you can only choose one, then Keratase hair oil it is! I don't use these frequently so it last me over a year (I think it'll be another year before I empty them, so make it two years) that my hair dresser isn't pleased since I'm not her best customer #truestory

That brings me to the end of this post. I know a lot of the products I recommend here are from Hair Zone but I vouch this post is NOT a sponsored post. It's just that I have tried the products recommended by my hair stylists and can see the amazing results they do to my very unruly mane. If you have tried these products based on my recommendation, tell me if they work for you!