June 2021 - In the current situation where cases of COVID-19 remain high and no possibility of going back to a normal life to be expected in the near future, it is normal to feel worried, anxious and depressed.

It is ok to not to be ok. But the antidote to all these feelings is hope.

Hope is feeling good about the future. Hope activates active coping and the action in turns, fuel more hope.  

There are strategies of how to be hopeful in going through life’s challenges. Psychologists recommended several.

The first is to recognize your own struggles. Acknowledge that we are indeed facing an unprecedented time in life and are trying our best to cope. By recognizing this, only then one can move forward.   

The next thing is to look closely into your situation and to identify what are the things that are going well for you.

Things cannot be all bad. You might still have a job or classes to go to, you still have a family and friends to talk to. The sun is still shining outside your door. Continue to lean on these good thoughts.  

It is also important to reframe your mind. The pandemic might take more time to be over but it will be eventually.

Think about the things you will be able to do then. It does not have to be something big like planning for a future career. Perhaps it is something simple like having teh tarik at Subaidah with your friends.

Picture all the tiny, joyful things that can take place when the pandemic is over. It will fire up hope and optimism in you.   

It is also important to continue keeping a normal routine and to be connected to your family and friends.

This can help you feel more positive about your current situation, propelling you to be more hopeful for the future.  

For additional references:

https://www.hmetro.com.my/sihat/2020/12/654997/kekal-positif-sepanjang-pandemik

https://www.self.com/story/how-to-be-hopeful

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/external/2021/01/stay-hopeful-during-covid-19/

Text: From the Psychologist’s Desk  https://www.usm.my/index.php/covid19/coping-and-thriving-during-covid-19#from-the-psychologist-s-desk