Angela Alarcon shares tips on how she's dealing with anxiety amid the COVID-19 crisis
Angela Alarcon enumerates potential ways to deal with anxiety after personally discovering what's effective in her personal struggle during this COVID-19 crisis.
Angela opened up to her viewers how she has become irritable, sensitive, unmotivated and how she's been feeling heavy since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 threat.
She admitted, “Dahil 'yun nga naka-quarantine tayo, we are isolated. And this is all new to us which can be a bit overwhelming to someone like me. Kasi lagi ko iniisip na I'm wasting my time or I'm running out of time and stuff like that just 'cause I feel unproductive and I end up beating myself. And in a result, I feel guilty and worthless which isn't good, I know. And it's totally unfair to myself because it becomes unhealthy to the point na these unwanted and intrusive thoughts make a lot of room in my mind and it totally lingers there.”
But instead of giving in to her anxieties, Jestoni Alarcon's daughter looked for ways to cope with it.
1. Journaling
Angela turns to writing to purge and process what she's thinking and feeling.
She claimed, “It's very therapeutic to write down our thoughts and emotions and what we experience throughout the day. Ito rin 'yung way to keep my emotions in check kasi 'pag sinusulat mo lahat doon, doon mo na-e-evaluate kung may nagbago ba sa feelings mo, kung may parehas ba and so on.
“Maiintindihan natin 'yung ating sarili kung ano ba 'yung cause or triggers na pwede ring maaapekto sa atin. Sinusulat ko rin dito 'yung mga bagay na nararanasan ko na nagpapasaya sa akin noong araw na 'yun. Diary na rin if you want to put it that way.”
2. Having a checklist
Angela, who's been used to being busy and on the go, gets her sense of accomplishment by having a checklist. Her to-do list includes tasks ranging from mundane ones to those that may consume her time the whole day.
She shared, “Personally nag-e-enjoy ako 'pag gumagawa ako ng to-do list tapos nalalagyan ko ng checkmark or nase-shade ko 'yung box pag nagagawa ko 'yung isang task or bagay throughout the day.”
“Lahat 'yan sinusulat ko. Basta ang saya niya pag na-a-accomplish mo 'yun kahit simple lang.”
3. Reading verses
Angela also finds it reassuring to turn to a higher being.
She said, “It's also my way of self-reflection, by strengthening my relationship with my God and keeping my faith stronger. So whatever works for you, kung ano man 'yung spiritual methods mo or beliefs mo that you know will ignite and keep your faith alive.”
4. Working out
Angela also recommends keeping your bodies moving and busy through workouts.
She emphasized “Nakatulong talaga ito to improve my mood, and it's a fact dahil pag nagwo-workout tayo or exercise, 'yung mga katawan natin nagre-release ng chemicals called endorphins or happy hormones. And working out gives a lot of benefits both in the mind and body. And it makes us healthier too, which boosts our immune systems.”
5. Making room for hobbies
Angela has also discovered a new outlet to keep being productive or to simply preoccupy herself, and that's by dedicating time for hobbies.
She said, “I've been painting and creating art with my sister, and learning cooking and baking recipes. I'm actually really having fun.”
“It's good because we're actually testing our life skills. To create, experiment, fail, learn, you know it's all part of mental growth as well.”
6. Listening to music
Angela believes music can help set her mood. Lately, she admits to listening to lo-fi.
She advised, “Go listen to your favorite songs. Don't hesitate to listen to new ones as well.”
Watch this:
Angela isn't the only celebrity who opened up about their battles with anxiety. Other Kapuso stars like Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Heart Evangelista, and Megan Young have also openly talked about their struggles during this enhanced community quarantine.
