Coping Mechanisms Malaysians use to overcome stress

Stress can get the best of us at times. Coping mechanisms for major life changes or unfavorable experiences can assist you in maintaining a good self-image — and your equilibrium.

Most Malaysians are familiar with retail therapy and stress eating, among other standard coping techniques in the face of a difficult life event, such as heartbreak.

Furthermore, today, social media is an essential component of human connection. Users share their life across many platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the newest app to join the fold, Threads, with each platform adding new features on a daily basis to increase engagement. This can also impact one’s mental health.

According to the Gardenia KL 2023 Wellness Begins at Home poll, 32.4% of respondents aged 26 to 30 years were more likely to feel depressed when they observed postings of their friends and their lives than other respondent age groups (23%).

This is where coping mechanisms come in

Coping mechanisms are behaviors that are used to escape stress or unpleasant feelings. These actions might be either positive or detrimental. Positive solutions not only make things simpler in the short term but also in the long run.

Negative coping mechanisms make things simpler in the short term but more difficult in the long run. In the poll, respondents between the ages of 21 and 25 were more likely to overeat (39.5%), grumble about life (37.2%), or resort to self-harm (14.7%) when they go through hardships.

Additionally, it was the survey found tendencies that suggested a dramatic disparity in coping techniques preferred by Malaysian youth against other respondent groups.

Identifying coping mechanisms and their influence is critical for dealing with stress and trauma. Physical activity, talking about your feelings with a trusted person, healthy nutrition, getting professional treatment, deep breathing, drawing on social support such as a community, or practicing problem-solving strategies are examples of good coping mechanisms advocated by experts.

If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health crisis, please contact MIASA at www.miasa.org.my. MIASA provides mental health assessment and consultation, counselling services, spiritual treatment, therapeutic assessment, psychological services, and peer support. You can also call the MIASA 24-hour helpline at 1-800-820-066.