The COVID-19 crisis has caused an economic downturn with businesses being forced to either shut down or implement cost cutting measures that include pay cuts and layoffs. This has many employees living with the fear and anxiety of losing their jobs.
By creating an emergency fund, you’ll be able to financially prepare for any emergencies, such as unemployment, with a safety net to fall back on. Emergency funds can keep you covered during a time of need without having to depend on credit cards or high-interest loans. If you already have debt, this can help prevent you from accumulating more.
Ideally, an emergency fund should cover 6 months of your expenses, but during pressings times like these – here’s how you can start saving right away:
1. Calculate your expenses
It’s important to know where your money is going rather than wondering where every time you check your bank balance. Go through your recent account statements and create a spreadsheet that shows your daily, weekly and monthly expenses. This will help you understand your financial situation better.
2. See what you can cut out
As we’re not encouraged to eat out and saving travel costs by working from home – put aside what you would usually spend instead of using it to shop online (we know how tempting it is!). Find and cancel any unused paid subscriptions, as well as review your current plans, such as cellphone and insurance, to see if there’s a more cost-effective alternative.
3. Create a savings account
It’s easier to see, and not touch, your savings when it’s kept separately from what you spend. Open a savings account at the same bank or one that has a higher interest rate – it needs to be accessible in case of an emergency.
4. Set a savings goal
Moving forward, set a target for you to save daily, weekly and monthly to get into the habit of saving regularly. You’ll be able to see that even saving RM5 a day can amount to almost RM2,000 at the end of the year! This makes it more encouraging and easier to do.
It’s become more essential to start an emergency fund for both your financial stability and peace of mind. All you need are the right goals and a realistic plan to match!
You can’t escape the sun’s ultraviolet rays, even with social distancing in place (ugh!). So whether you’re working from your bedroom, the kitchen, or the living room, you still need to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from those sneaky UV rays that still manage to enter through the glass of your windows. But what exactly do they do?
Types Of UV Rays
There are two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB.
UVA Rays
UVA rays cause skin cells to age.
This results in premature ageing and the appearance of wrinkles and sun spots.
UVB RAYS
We’re sorry to say, but it gets worse with UVB rays – they can cause skin cancer by damaging the DNA in skin cells. Yikes…time to make SPF your new BFF!
Sunscreen vs Sunblock
Most of us remember sunblock as a messy chore before beachside fun – it was thick, sticky and left us looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost. This is because sunblock physically protects you from UVA rays by forming a visible barrier on top of your skin.
Sunscreen, on the other hand, is a protectant that penetrates the skin and absorbs the sun’s rays. This allows it to be light, smooth and usually unnoticeable – making it the perfect ending to your morning skincare routine!
Facial Sunscreens
Here are a few facial sunscreens you can try out:
Easy to find, and affordable, this non-greasy option leaves your skin feeling fresh and hydrated with its fast absorption.
A brand that focuses on sensitive skin, this lightweight product has a high SPF without looking or feeling like you’re wearing anything at all.
Protect your skin from the sun without having to worry about it clogging your pores. This sunscreen will have your skin feeling moist and supple throughout the day.
This shine-free formula uses the latest technology to ensure that sun protection doesn’t break down, effectively blocking you from the damaging UVA and UVB rays.
One of Sephora’s best-sellers, this clear sunscreen is a favourite for those who wear makeup as it manages to prevent it from smudging throughout the day.
Protection
Make sure you look out for products that are labelled broad spectrum sunscreen or PA++ (the more pluses, the better) to ensure that you’ll be protected from both UVA and UVB rays. Aim for an SPF that is higher than 30 and don’t forget to reapply it every 2 hours, especially if you’ve been sweating in this hot, hot heat!
Don’t knock TikTok until you’ve tried one of their quick and easy recipes – the app, better known for bringing out the dancer in everyone, is actually a treasure trove of tips and tutorials covering a wide range of topics from taking care of your mental health to decorating your bedroom.
With users given only 60 seconds to share their recipes, the steps are explained in a straightforward manner – following the fast, no-frills style of Tasty’s famous cooking videos. You’ll find that preparing a healthy, delicious meal doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
Here are a few dishes from TikTok you can whip up at home:
@aridaylopezzOvernight oats recipe, especially for those that don’t have time to make breakfast in the morning☀️ ##recipe ##healthy ##foryou♬ original sound – aridaylopezz
Let’s start with breakfast – if you’re one to hit the snooze button (a couple of times), overnight oats are a great way to have a quick nutritious bite to eat before you’re out the door. You can also grab it and go by putting it together in a reusable jar. Try this recipe with Granos – they make customizable granola for you to enjoy your favorite flavors.
@alwaysmelissFave breakfast! Protein pancakes. ##WhatsYourStuf ##fyp ##foryou ##food♬ original sound – alwaysmeliss
Instead of having a protein shake after your morning workout, sprinkle protein powder into your pancakes for a more fulfilling meal. Pancakes always hit the spot and make for a sweet reward after an intense sweat sesh! If you’re interested in plant-based protein, Heal Nutrition offers both dairy and vegan protein powders with real ingredients to give it a great taste.
@monavandThis is salad is so dank and great for the summer!! ##healthyrecipes ##skincare ##learnontiktok ##tiktokpartner♬ I Wanna Know You – BLVKSHP
Salads are the easiest to prepare for lunch – you’ve just got to toss in the ingredients and do the infamous Kardashian salad shake to evenly distribute. These refreshing fruits and vegetables can help keep your skin hydrated while working in an air-conditioned office.
@lizmoodyBet you have everything you need in your pantry right now ##mealprep ##healthyrecipe ##strengthtraining ##vegan ##healthyfood ##MoodBoost ##happyathome♬ original sound – lizmoody
If you’re still stuck on having a plate of mee goreng for lunch, we’ve found this healthier version that only takes five minutes!
@iamtabithabrownSpinach tortilla Gluten free quesadilla! ##tabithabrown ##vegan♬ original sound – iamtabithabrown
Vegans can still enjoy the goodness of a quesadillas with this gluten-free recipe. Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll be able to satisfy your cravings with this fast meal.
@hanahanayangFollow me on Instagram 🙁 love you guys♬ original sound – hanahanayang
Unwind after a long day with a hearty bowl of broccoli cheddar soup. It’ll have you feeling all warm and cozy – ready to curl up in bed and sleep without a worry.
@kylienhhere’s a small recipe for my fav dessert! ##foryoupage ##foryou ##fyp ##recipe ##aestheticfood ##healthy ##diet ##weightloss ##quickrecipes ##healthyfood♬ Supalonely (feat. Gus Dapperton) – BENEE
No, we didn’t forget the snacks – how could we? These banana bites are a guilt-free alternative to ice cream. Yum!
Whether you’re tight for time or just think cooking’s a chore, these TikToks can provide you with a shortcut to eat healthy and save on delivery. We hope you enjoy your meal!
Follow us on TikTok for self-care ideas.
Journaling will always be therapeutic, even as a thirteen-year-old writing “dear diary” followed by a fairly rude rant about how your parents won’t let you get a tattoo. It provides a safe space (lock included) for you to share your experiences and sit in the therapist’s chair as you reread your thoughts and feelings.
If 2020 has left you feeling overwhelmed – stressed from working at home, anxious about social distancing and saddened by the world news, journaling is a good place to let it all out Here’s how you can start:
- Download A Journal App
If you’re still not sold on writing things down – type it out. Since we’re always on our phones, self-care has become digital with mindful apps to make better use of your screen time. For beginners, we recommend downloading the journal apps Reflectly or Daylio. These make journaling super easy by asking you questions about your day, even encouraging you to use emojis – think of it as a judgement-free Facebook status.
- Follow Journal Prompts
Don’t know what to write? There are plenty of journal prompts available online to get the ball rolling. Usually in the form of questions, these short statements are set to inspire self-reflection. Here are a few to help you explore your definition of “self-love”:
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You can also sign up for our Self Care Club to receive weekly journal prompts!
- Practice Gratitude
For a more positive mindset, use your journal to list down what you’re grateful for. Do this daily and you’ll notice a shift in your perspective as you start seeing the glass half full rather than half empty. Not only will you experience less negative emotions, but by counting your blessings – you’ll become more satisfied with life too. Happy mind, happy life.
- Participate In Journal Challenges
Turn journaling into a habit by participating in journal challenges. These span from a week to a month with a list of helpful writing prompts for you to follow. Learn more about journaling from YouTuber, Lavendaire, and spread out her 30 prompts for self-discovery throughout the month:
By focusing on yourself for at least five minutes a day, you’ll be able to find solitude and clarity in the midst of a chaotic year. Writing down your emotions will make it easier for you to understand them and pinpoint the problem – allowing you to come up with healthier coping skills and better solutions. We should all strive to be more self-aware and accepting of ourselves, so pick up a pen and start journaling!
What if we told you this must-have addition to your skincare routine is absolutely free! That’s right – no tools needed, just 60 seconds of your time.
The #60SECONDRULE was created by licensed aesthetician, Nayamka Roberts-Smith (@LaBeautyologist), to help her clients get the most out of their cleansers. A nugget of knowledge, she shared that gently cleansing your face, with your fingers, for 60 seconds activates the ingredients and allows the cleanser to work. Most of us have been guilty of washing our face for less than 15 seconds, but by following this tip – you’ll notice softer skin and better texture.
Skincare Twitter swears by the #60SECONDRULE – the once trending hashtag is filled with testimonies of transformed skin. However, as with all skincare advice, do remember that it ultimately depends on your body, but there is no harm in experimenting with a few more seconds! By thoroughly washing your face, you’ll be able to dissolve the sebum and blockages better, which then improves overall evenness.
Try it out and if you need a more fun way to keep count, Roberts-Smith suggests singing along to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song. Go get that glow!
