"This year I'm determined to be skinny", "This year I'm determined to be rich", "This year I'm determined to get married", "This year I'm determined to study hard". Various resolutions that we often hear from the average netizen who wants a better life in 2023.

A good and positive resolution is important for us to start the new year. But rarely do we hear that some create a determination to improve mental and emotional well-being in life.

In today's uncertain economic situation, there are many pressures that society will have to endure in order to survive.

This stress can certainly be the cause of stress in life. Meanwhile, stress, if not managed properly, will be the cause of many other problems in life. Among them, decreased motivation in work, irritability in a spouse or child, erratic feelings of anxiety and so on.

This condition if left to continue will undoubtedly affect a person's quality of life. As a result, not only on the individual, but also on the people around him, will be affected.

For example, a husband and wife will easily quarrel, parents will easily scold the child, the workers will create a 'snake' work culture and classmates will bully or start another friend. Such things would certainly hurt the hearts of those around us if they had not been treated earlier.

In order to create a positive environment in life, it should start with us first as a first step

Among the important things to be managed is to do self-care to improve mental and emotional well-being in oneself.

Self-care or self-care means taking adequate mental and emotional care through a variety of healthy and positive activities. This activity is independent, but the objective is to lower stress tank in an individual.

IIt is very important to always be done so that our emotions will be more stable and in turn will have a positive impact on those around us.

Therefore, here I share with readers some of the activities that can be done for self-care

WALKING

The method is, make sure that when you walk, there are no distractions to social media, gadgets, or songs from your mobile phone.

Use this 10 to 15 minute to focus on the sounds of nature such as bird chirping, crickets, gusts of wind that smudge foliage and water.

Focus on the overall correctness of this sound and breathe fresh air. Feel the freshness of the air that enters the entire limb.

Tell yourself, ‘'I am grateful for Your greatness the Lord for this blessing which You have given you. Do it at least once a week, you will be able to feel its calmness.

A MAGIC WORD FOR YOURSELF

We always hear parents say to children, when others help or do us good, don't forget to thank them. What if we ourselves do good to ourselves? Are we going to do the same to ourselves?

If we can say magic words to others, why not give the same speech to ourselves as a self-appreciation for the effort we have put on ourselves. No matter how small the goodness is, appreciate it because by appreciating ourselves, we will love ourselves more.

Examples of magic words that can be pronounced on oneself are, Dhia (call your own name), thank you

I say much to thee for taking good care of yourselves to this day. I know it's not easy, but it's this difficulty that makes you persevere in life. I love myself!.

SHARE WITH SOMEONE

Sharing feelings with someone is one of the most effective self-care activities because sharing feelings with the right people will make us feel very relieved. This condition is also called catharsis.

However, to achieve this catharsis, you need to find someone who is an expert to listen to your expression. For example, see a certified counselor because the counselor will listen to you unconditionally.

Don't let your stress tank full of decks because you don't want people to know you're stressed or grieving. It will only aggravate the situation and not at all reflect your emotional strength.

DRAWING/WRITING A JOURNAL OF FEELINGS

In addition to sharing, it with others, you can also draw something on a blank white paper independently. It is one of the techniques for us to express our feelings through art therapy

In addition, if you don't like to paint, you can also make a statement through the journal writing. It's just like writing a diary. Write down whatever feelings you experience daily or when you need to empty your stress tank.

Can start with the sentence 'Today, I guess (keep writing feelings until you feel satisfied). After finishing writing, you can also re-read this statement you wrote for a deeper effect.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE

Doing what you love is also one of the effective self-care activities to do. For example, if you like

If you love to tidy up the house, then find time to do this activity so that you can restore your emotional well-being. Oh yes, don't forget to thank yourself too for the effort you put on yourself after packing!

DO SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES

Self-care also includes the spiritual aspect. Regardless of what religion, engaging in spiritual activities according to each other's beliefs is important to achieve peace in the soul. For example, in Islam, it is wajib for its adherents to perform prayers five times a day a night. A bonus if added to reciting the Quran and other acts of worship such as dhikr, prayer and other sunnah prayers and asking Allah for peace of mind.

Indeed, it is He who gives us a test, and He is the one who can give us peace of mind. Let's start spiritual activities based on each other's beliefs immediately!

There are various selfcare activities that can be done to maintain mental and emotional health. All you can do is explore what self-care activities can be helpful and suitable for yourself.

Remember, if we don't take care of ourselves today, so, who else will do it for us? Don't forget to do self-care activities for yourself every day. — (This article is prepared by the Psychology Officer at Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus, Hairunisah Abdul Rahman. She can be contacted via email hairunisah@upm.edu.my)

Date of Input: 11/01/2023 | Updated: 12/01/2023 | lanz