Feeling the glum and helplessness of being stuck in Malaysia’s indefinite lockdown? You’re not alone, and it’s a perfectly natural reaction to everything that’s happening in our country.
But hey, if it weren’t for the Movement Control Order (MCO) that has been on-and-off for the past one and a half years, there’d be plenty of habits we wouldn’t have started building to not only avoid cabin fever but implement them as part of a better lifestyle. Here are some of them that you might have been doing yourself!
1. Less mamak/fast food, more healthy food!
Due to their convenience or cheap prices, it’s all too easy to bungkus (order takeaway) fast food and mamak delicacies, respectively. But, it does get a bit jelak eating them so often, not to mention they cause a wide variety of health issues, even mentally.
This is why we became more inclined to eat colourful food filled with greens, fibre, and everything else that our bodies love. We may not eat salads or become vegetarian, but even a balanced economy rice or nasi campur is more than enough to keep us feeling good.
2. Got to protect our hands, clothes and homes
Have you been stocking up on antibacterial wipes or one of those sanitiser mist spray guns after seeing them on Instagram? Safe to say, neither of us would have done this if not for the pandemic. We’ve become so much more cautious of our general hygiene because of it!
Though we may not be this kiasi (afraid of death) post-pandemic, our heightened awareness of airborne diseases is here to stay. It’s definitely a +1 knowing how much bacteria and germs we’re exposed to so that we don’t simply touch things here and there in public (not in that way).
3. Feeling guilty about all the plastic we’re wasting #gogreen
Yes, we speak from experience.
Since we bungkus and shop online so much now, we eventually realised the mountain of plastic we’ve accumulated from these two alone. To think that plastic takes 450 YEARS to decompose, we knew it was absolutely time to reduce our plastic usage as much as possible.
Now we always make sure we have our reusable grocery bags and food containers with us, and we only buy things online when we can’t get them from the few shops that remain open. It might not feel like much, but the combined effect would eventually work if we all do it together.
4. Knowing that mental health is as important as physical
We’re all aware – even feeling it ourselves – of the mental toll this lockdown has caused us, affecting our daily lives as well as the people around us. This is why we started taking steps to nurture it as much as possible through exercise, taking up yoga, meditating, using essential oils, or even something as simple as clearing our minds and doing whatever relaxes us.
5. Supporting local/smaller businesses #kitajagakita
It’s heartbreaking when we find out that our favourite restaurants or shops couldn’t sustain themselves and were forced to close for good. Wanting to make sure that the rest don’t fall to that, we intentionally order from them specifically so that we can enjoy their food or products when the lockdown is lifted. After all, every little bit counts.
6. Reminding ourselves that all is not as bad it seems
It’s demotivating to see the high number of daily cases being reported, as well as a multitude of others that we won’t mention to not make this a downer. As disheartening as the situation may seem, we learn to remind ourselves that there are plenty of upsides to it as well.
Whether it’s focusing on the active vaccination programme or feeling grateful for personal things (i.e. having an income, a roof over our heads, food on the table), looking at the world with a glass-half-full lens helps keep us level-headed to endure and survive, knowing that this too shall pass.
7. Exercising and being in nature does wonders
It gets pretty mundane when our daily routine consists only of working or studying, eating, watching TV or playing games and sleeping, an indoors-only loop that also makes us feel mentally drained and complacent. We just knew that we got to physically do something healthy, leading us to start with simple exercises like 10-minute core exercises and yoga.
Even walking around your area – in compliance with SOP, of course – can do wonders to your health, better yet if you’re surrounded by greenery. Reminds us of the times when we went with friends for early morning hikes at Bukit Gasing or Broga Hill to catch the sunrise, and waterfall picnics at Endau Rompin Waterfalls. I’m not crying, you are.
After being stuck at home for so long, more of us now appreciate the welcoming outdoors to clear our heads, and breathe in the freshest air money can’t buy. This is why more and more people have been investing in new lifestyle essentials in preparation for when we can finally roam about freely again. From quality sports shoes to hiking gear, even pickup trucks have been growing in popularity due to their versatility! Out of the way, SUVs and family sedans, because pickup trucks can do it all – possess both the toughness of a truck and the comfort and advanced features of a sedan.
If this sounds like you, and you’re looking for a brand new ride perfect for exploring the outdoors, we’d definitely recommend the Ford Ranger WildTrak and Ford Ranger XLT Plus, the perfect companion to venture forth into the great beyond. Though you can’t test drive them yet, Ford is now offering a personalised service where you can book a LIVE 1-on-1 session with your very own Ford Ranger Specialist, where you can engage in either voice call or – better yet – virtual video session with them to shop safely from the comfort of your home.
And why exactly is this pair of four-wheel-drive (4WD) cars so fitting for your adventure? Here’s all you need to know:
Ford Ranger WildTrak
- Equipped with a 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering a whopping 213PS of power and 500Nm of torque.
- A premium lifestyle pickup truck suitable for both urban and outdoor driving
- First and only in-class pickup with Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking, so that you always have the perfect parking angle (Yay! Good news for those who don’t like parallel parking!)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking with vehicle and pedestrian detection to minimise a collision.
- Forward Collision Warning that increases brake-assist sensitivity, helping you brake better in emergencies
- Lane Departure Warning vibrates the steering wheel if you unintentionally move out of your lane, even steering you back on track! (But still, don’t look at your phone while driving, yeah?)
Ford Ranger XLT Plus
- Equipped with a 2.0L Single Turbo engine (180 PS of power and 420Nm of torque) and 10-Speed Automatic Transmission.
- A versatile pickup suited for working hard and playing hard
- Best-in-class water wading capability of 800mm*
- SYNC 3 Infotainment system: 8-inch full-colour touchscreen for all the entertainment you need on long drives*
- Easy Lift Tailgate for effortless loading and unloading, saves you up to 70% in energy to move it! Handy for loading/unloading goods, equipment, camping gear, etc.*
- Hill Descent Control: Controls your drive down steep inclines on its own with anti-lock brakes. Never have to stress going downhill again (phew)*
- Hill Launch Assist: Brake pressure is held for two seconds after you release the brake to switch to the accelerator*
- 1,000kg payload and up to 3,500kg towing capacity*
- 4×4 Shift-on-the-Fly for drivers to effortlessly move between 2WD and 4WD high mode or low mode*
*Also available in the Ford Ranger WildTrak
Evidently, these vehicles are strong and sturdy, yet comfortable and fun for the whole family! What’s more, if you’re bringing your family or friends for a much-needed outstation escapade amidst fresh air and wondrous waterfalls, these Ford Rangers are spectacular for driving to your destination.
Plus, you’ll also get two years FREE car service if you buy the Ford Ranger WildTrak or Ford Ranger XLT Plus!
Don’t wait too long though, because stocks are limited.
Sold on the idea? Get ready for your journey! Head on over to Ford’s website to make an appointment today and find out more or check out the Ford Malaysia YouTube channel to learn more about the incredible Ford Rangers.
We can’t wait to say Hello to the Outdoors soon!
