Text neck

Text neck is defined as a forward head posture and rounded shoulders caused by looking down or craning your neck forward to look at a phone or computer. It can also look like a visible bump on the back of the neck.

Humans experience more spinal diseases than other primates, and one of the widely discussed explanations for this is the stress placed on the spine by walking on two legs. Add to this improper head posture of many people when using our phones, where for every 2.5 cm forward the head goes, there’s an extra 4.5 kg of additional weight for your spine to work to support – and it’s unsurprising that the rounded shoulders, and associated neck and upper back pain of text neck, is ailing many.

To counteract or improve text neck, try the following:

• Hold your phone at a higher angle that allows your head to be in a neutral position over your spine;
• Do regular neck/spine stretching and strengthening exercises. One example of an exercise to counteract text neck is to hold your hands behind your back and bring your hands towards the ground, opening your chest out for 15-20 seconds.

Ringxiety

The term ‘ringxiety’, coined by psychologist David Laramie, is the mistaken belief that your phone has rung when it hasn’t. It’s also called phantom ringing or phantom vibration syndrome, or ‘fauxcellarm’.

Phantom limb syndrome, when someone experiences pain or sensation in a missing limb, is attributed to a misinterpretation of sensory input, and researchers believe something similar happens with ringxiety. Ringxiety has been connected to a state of ‘hyperarousal’, for example when you’re anticipating a call or message. There is also the potential of a subsequent feeling of disappointment at not having received a message or call, which could heighten the hyperarousal.

Interestingly, a study conducted by a University of Michigan researcher found that people with the anxious attachment style (partners who feel unworthy of love and regularly seek out reassurance from partners, usually due to feelings of abandonment in childhood) experienced more phantom ringing than people with a secure attachment style.

To counteract or improve ringxiety, when you unplug, really unplug. Try starting with putting down your phone and not using it anymore after a certain time in the evening, keeping it away from your bed so it isn’t the last or first thing you do in your day.

Nomophobia

Nomophobia comes from the phase ‘no mobile phone phobia’. Alternatively called phone separation anxiety, it’s a fear of being without a phone or without mobile connection. Symptoms of nomophobia include:

• Agitation;
• Anxiety;
• Disorientation;
• Heightened heart rate.

Americans check their phones 96 times a day, or every 10 minutes, according to a 2019 survey. Besides the association with hits of dopamine and oxytocin from connecting with loved ones, mobile phones and apps are designed to be addictive.

From bright red notification badges, to infinite scroll, phones and social media platforms are tailored for you to draw you in and keep you there for as long as possible. When we’re disconnected from this source of addiction, it can be highly uncomfortable.

To counteract nomophobia, try the following:

• Set your phone on grayscale;
• Check notifications at set times rather than regularly throughout the day;
• Turn off infinite scroll and autoplay, or use apps with those features less frequently;
• There are apps like Channel or Flipd to help you set time limits or turn off features built to keep you on apps. These make your mobile use less ‘friction-less’, so that you can listen to your body’s or environment’s natural cues to take a phone break.

Smartphone wrinkles

Smartphone wrinkles are purportedly caused by blue light emitted by LED screens on TVs, mobile phones, computers, tablets, and even LED lighting in our homes.

Research conducted by Oregon State University points to blue light having “detrimental effects on a wide range of cells in our body, from skin and fat cells, to sensory neurons”. The study found that molecules responsible for communication between neurons were reduced after blue light exposure, but hasn’t been directly linked to the formation of wrinkles. In short, the claim that the light emitted by our phones causes wrinkles requires more research.

However, it is well known that blue light messes with our circadian rhythms. Compared to yellow, orange, and red light, blue light is the culprit making it difficult to fall and stay asleep if phones are used in the hours before sleeping.

To improve or counteract the effects of light from your smartphone, try:

• Dimming your screen (to a point where you can still comfortably see without straining);
• Avoiding looking at your phone in the 2-3 hours before bed;
• Wearing blue-blocking glasses or install a blue light filter app to use at night;
• Wearing sunscreen when facing your devices for long durations (e.g. working from home), particularly sunscreens with iron oxide on the ingredient list, which protects against visible light.

Selfitis

The next potentially negative effect of mobile use is selfitis, the addictive or obsessive-compulsive taking of selfies. This is sometimes done for validation or to fill a gap in intimacy through likes and comments. This phrase became popular in 2014 when a hoax spread around that the American Psychiatric Association had labelled selfitis as a new mental disorder.

In an ensuing genuine study, factors underlying selfitis were identified:

• Environmental enhancement (enjoying the current environment, taking a photo to make a memory, self-express, keep ‘trophy’ of the moment);
• Social competition;
• Seeking attention;
• Mood modification;
• Self confidence;
• Social conformity.

A related phenomenon is ‘killfie’, where people take selfies in extremely precarious, dangerous situations. This can lead to injury or even death in some situations, as in the case of Sofia Cheng, a Hong Kong influencer who senselessly died falling into a pool while taking a selfie at Pineapple Mountain in 2021.

Taking lots of selfies isn’t inherently harmful, but it could be helpful to examine if you’re using it to cover up an underlying issue.

Smartphone pinky

Finally, there are various hand pain conditions from holding a mobile phone. Smartphone pinky occurs due to the way some people hold a phone in one hand, where one pinky does most of the heavy lifting supporting the base of the smartphone. This can result in a ‘dent’ in the inner middle part of the pinky finger. A hand surgeon speaking to Business Insider said that this happens when there’s consistent pressure on the skin and fat beneath the skin, causing the fluid that partially forms them to compress, leaving an impression. However, the surgeon confirmed this condition is not permanent!

There are various other mobile use health conditions related to hand or arm pain:

• Texting thumb (soreness from texting);
• ‘Smartphone elbow’, or cubital tunnel syndrome;
• Trigger finger (finger cramping into one position);
• Sore wrist.

To improve smartphone pinky, try:

• Having breaks in between a couple hours of phone usage;
• Holding or using your phone with both hands.

Header image credits: Djole Rad via Canva

What is TCM? 

Traditional Chinese medicine, a.k.a. TCM, goes back centuries and has widely amassed recognition as more people in the western world seek alternative approaches to health. It uses holistic and often non-invasive approaches to treat chronic conditions that affect psychological and physical health. The centuries-old Chinese medicine system draws from Taoist ideologies that emphasize the importance of finding harmony through the laws of nature, balancing the mind, body, and spirit. Traditional Chinese medicine has gained traction throughout the Western world in recent decades, guasha, acupuncture, and tai chi in particular.

Qi is an essential concept in TCM. It’s a type of energy that flows through our body and helps with metabolic processes, so to have a balanced qi is to have a healthy body. The five-element theory (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood) is another important concept as it weaves in how our body functions in correlation to nature. Rather than seeing organs function individually, TCM treatment draws from the five elements that all organs are connected.

How did traditional Chinese medicine begin? 

Dating back 2,500 to 5,000 years, TCM roots can be traced back to the Neolithic period in China when villagers would use herbs and other natural remedies to treat pain and sickness. The earliest forms of TCM were based on observing the natural world and the human body to understand health and disease. Written records of TCM date back to the Han Dynasty when “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” laid the foundation of TCM medicine, highlighting the basic principles of acupuncture, diet, and qi.

Over the centuries, Eastern medicine has evolved and been influenced by various philosophical, cultural, and religious traditions, like Taoism. It has gained recognition and is widely practiced by TCM doctors in the Western world today. TCM is still evolving and incorporates not just physical and herbal treatments, but also spiritual and cultural elements.

What are the different elements of TCM?

TCM practitioners often use a mix of the following treatment elements:

Chinese herbs

Derived from plants, minerals, and animals, TCM herbs are usually seen as safer and are generally considered to be less likely to cause adverse side effects compared to Western medicine. They treat the body holistically, supporting overall wellness, and are believed to have immune-boosting properties that strengthen the body’s natural defences against disease. Chinese herbs can also be used to restore the body in the event of such things as women preparing to carry a baby.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. The practice is based on the belief that there are pathways of energy, known as meridians, that run throughout the body and regulate the flow of qi. Health problems arise when this flow is disrupted or blocked, so inserting needles at points along the meridian can stimulate the flow of qi and promote healing and balance in the body. It’s noted that people experience improved mental health, sleep quality, and boosted immunity after acupuncture. 

Exercise

Physical movement is important to improve bodily function and health, and tai chi is one form of exercise proven vital in TCM. Tai chi is a gentle, yet effective form of exercise and Chinese martial art that promotes physical, mental and emotional well-being. Benefits include improved balance and coordination, stress and anxiety reduction, boosted immune system, pain relief, improved cardiovascular health, enhanced mental clarity, and better sleep. 

Manual therapy

Part of TCM involves manual therapy, like cupping, guasha, and massage. Cupping uses heated glass cups to create suction to relieve pain and restore qi; guasha is a tool used against the skin to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote lymphatic drainage; massage uses push-and-grasp techniques along the meridian points. It’s believed that these forms of manual therapy reduce tension in the body, promote circulation, and improve nerve function to ultimately relax the body.

FAQ about traditional Chinese medicine

Header image credits: Manusapon Kasosod via Canva

All aspects of “personal wellness” and “good” health have had a massive shake-up over the past few years – from what we eat to where we exercise – but if there is one lesson to be learned, it is the importance of taking good care of ourselves.

When working from home has become the new “normal” routine for many and with daily commutes having been replaced by endless emails and video meetings, many of us have been forced to use our homes as a central space for work, socializing, and entertainment over the past year. Yet, as we’ve seen from the rise of more personalised digital wellness experiences and indoor health remedies for people to explore, it’s apparent that self-care remains a high priority for many.

As we are constantly redefining ways to achieve better health – both physically and mentally, here are five self-care trends that we predict will gain more traction and hit bigger than ever in the year to come.

Alternative ways to show self-compassion and seek mental well-being

Mental well-being will continue to take centre stage in 2023. As we are all learning to slow down and to prioritize rest and relaxation while trying to seek for more self-awareness and compassion, creative outlets and alternative forms of healing will be on the rise.

From expressive arts therapies through music, movement, yoga, and even journaling to some more conventional ways of counselling, meditation, breathwork, sound healing, and recently, forest bathing (in Japanese, Shinrin Yoku) – you name it, they have it.

Mindful hobbies like pottery and ceramic making, Zentangle colouring, floral jamming, indigo dyeing, or even simply cooking for yourself at home have also become increasingly popular across the city.

Island hopping trips, setting out for a hike, or exposing yourself under the sun for a picnic are other forms of immersive experiences with our mother nature that provide us with a sense of comfort and enhance the ability of our bodies to heal.

Perhaps embracing a digital detox every once in a while may be all that we need in light of our search for some personal space and spiritual wellness. After all, thinking of happiness and taking self-care into our own hands may be as simple as learning to set personal boundaries while embracing the small sprinkles of joy in our daily lives.

Medical fitness: More personalized and scientific

Consumers are now seeking more “personalization” and “exclusivity” in their medical fitness journey. Medical gyms and anti-aging clinics that offer integrated health and nutrition programs for the community, beauty salons and spas that provide accessible IV drips for vitamins and hydration, and digital fitness studios that bring personalized gym routines home are only a few emerging trends to watch out for in 2023 in the wellness space.

In fact, as we have seen from the numerous periods of pandemic lockdowns, wearable medical devices to trace health metrics and our daily movements have continued to gain popularity. Big tech companies are launching new versions of fitness trackers with medical companies following to develop smart glasses and gloves for outpatients and the elderly. Consumers are also looking into buying new smart exercise equipment such as those created by the likes of Lululemon and Peloton to bridge the gap between their gym and at-home workouts. Sports massage guns for fitness recovery being all the rage in 2022 was just another proof.

To say the least, we all have a friend who believes that some form of AI fitness tracking, virtual coaching, or a subscription to meditation and mindfulness mobile apps like Headspace and Calm would help create a more effective and self-satisfying routine.

Wellness travelling

As restrictions across borders have gradually eased, people are starting to travel again – and they are looking for healthier ways to travel.

The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness tourism as “travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal well-being.” With so much uncertainty and chaos embedded in today’s world, we live in a century where people are more concerned than ever with their health and happiness.

Wellness travelling trips to recovery lounges, retreat centres, and wellness resorts are no longer seen as an indulgence or luxury but more of a tool for self-healing and improvement. Motivated by the ultimate desire to live a healthier life through immersing ourselves into some more enriching and authentic experiences, travelling in 2023 will surely mean rebooting your mind and body with newly opened hiking trails, pickleball courts, and even on paddleboards and skis.    

Mindful eating over dieting

Body diversity and social inclusion are common themes on the rise in this decade. As people are tuning in with their overall physical and mental well-being, ‘mindful eating’, a meditation concept which in Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s words mean to eat with awareness, to eat without distractions, and to savour each and every bite while being truly present, is yet another form of highly sought-after self-care.

There are many forms of diets out there – vegetarian, vegan, paleo, pescatarian, keto, and recently, circadian. The truth is, no single diet is best for everyone as what works for one may not work for another. But when it comes to eating with true harmony and nourishment for your body, mind, and soul, perhaps a thoughtful change in the how, what, where, and why you eat could be the sustainable way to go.

To be clear, on its own, mindful eating is not a diet. No radical detox cleanses, no elimination of certain food groups, no medical pills, and no quick fixes. Mindful eating simply invites us to be present while cooking or eating, allowing us to truly savour our food without any judgment, guilt, anxiety, or inner commentary. In embracing mindful eating, we are all encouraged to enjoy a sip of coffee and bites of meals while finding some inner peace of mind as at this very moment. Eat consciously and live consciously.

Skychology and work-life balance

Yes, as cliché as it sounds, it’s “sky-chology” – the psychology of looking up at the sky. All you need to do is to look up. Easy, simple, and it costs you nothing (except maybe some quality time of as short as one minute).

Initially proposed by positive psychology coach Paul Conway, the experience of simply looking up at the sky brings immense benefits to our well-being.  Results from Conway’s study revealed that looking up at the sky could be immediately calming and appeared to be a highly effective form of emotional self-regulation. Not only does this simple form of mindfulness exercise contribute to cultivating a greater sense of clarity and perspective, it also promotes a greater sense of connectedness and the feeling for one to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Looking at the sky, it seems, never gets old – suggesting we can experience its benefits at any time, and throughout our lives.

In connection with the long-standing emphasis of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, it seems that the extraordinary can often be found in the ordinary. Next time when you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, just look up at the sky, breathe deeply, notice what you see and feel, acknowledge your thoughts and emotions as they come and go – and just relax.

May 2023 be your year of restoration and growth.

It’s about the journey, not the destination.

Header image credits: AndreyPopov via Canva

In the 1970s, psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, coined the phrase ‘burnout’ to describe symptoms of exhaustion, frustration, and overloaded emotional circuits. According to him, it is the high cost of high achievement, and affects the best and the brightest of people.

Generally, people don’t notice they are heading towards a burnout. They feel stressed and expect that when they complete their work, the stress will go away. However, work is never completed, and stress never really goes away. There are more expectations and responsibilities. Those feelings of stress get worse over time, leading to a gradual decline into burnout zone. It is entering a mindset that is constantly taking a hit by the pressures of doing it all. As a result of multiple chronic stressors, the demand on the individual exceeds the ability to deal with externals.

What is burnout syndrome?

Some psychologists have described burnout as a progression that starts with stress and advances to clinical depression, and in some cases, death.

According to the WHO, burnout has been classified as an ‘occupational phenomenon’ resulting from chronic workplace stress. It is not a medical diagnosis, but burnout can lead to physical ailments. WHO’s description of burnout is to be applied to describe experiences in a single area of life – work.

However, there are no set boundaries to the modern workplace. The lines are blurred. Ever since the pandemic hit, many people work from their homes. The effects of burnout can easily spill over into personal life and relationships. Dealing with daily external pressures such as: aggressive managers, difficult coworkers, running a business, and responsibilities towards children and the elderly, can lead to exhaustion.

As days turn to weeks and months, working overtime and a heavy workload, plus feelings of guilt that family time is sacrificed, is a burden on an already drained individual.

Ekta Tejwani is the Founder of MeetMumz. An ex-Hong Kong resident, she is currently a Singapore-based entrepreneur. Having balanced many different roles in her life, she says. “There are always phases in a founder’s life when the work pressures overpower you and takes over everything. It happened to me this year.” Tejwani shared that as a mother, at times the pressures of managing the different roles became so overbearing that she felt it was wise to take a step back and reflect.

We are expected to be able to handle stress, and if we complain about it, we are considered as weak-willed. Often, people hide their exhaustion and put up a front that they are able to handle the pressures. They continue, dragging themselves through the day.

Signs that you’re experiencing burnout

Burnout means the brain has been overstimulated by all that we compel ourselves to do. We lose track of how exhaustion takes over our minds and bodies. This creates behavioral changes.

There are indicators of burnout; they can become severe if not checked. The subtle signs start out as feelings of not good enough, exacerbated with negative self-talk and perfectionism, which means placing extremely high standards on oneself. And a tendency to put more into the work than what one gets out of it. The following symptoms are all indicators of progressive burnout:

• Detachment from work;
• Cynicism about life;
• Lack of enthusiasm to meet friends or withdrawing from social activities;
• The need to prove oneself;
• Denying oneself rest or relaxation;
• Inability to change;
• Feelings of emptiness.

Where does mental exhaustion come from?

Occupational burnout

Our busyness culture encourages a hectic daily routine, such that if we are not doing something at every single moment of the day, we feel guilty of ‘wasting time.’ There is a stigma attached to burnout syndrome. If a person is overwhelmed or stressed by a workload, they take the blame and feel weak. And the burnout sufferer is afraid to ask for help, and often blames oneself.

The fact is that there is such a thing as a toxic workplace. Daily interactions with a difficult boss or inconsiderate managers or coworkers can be one of the causes of occupational burnout. Oftentimes, the individual feels that no matter what they do, they don’t make a difference. And they are afraid to share how they feel.

Emotional burnout

Emotional burnout happens when we experience a continuous pressure that has no end in sight. Individuals struggling with burnout feel numb, they just go through the motions of the day, putting up a positive front while internally there is no sense of positivity.

This usually happens when our job description requires forced pleasantries, or displays of cheerfulness and faking smiles while indulging in small talk. Maintaining an upbeat persona can be mentally taxing. It happens to many who have not had enough sleep, running on coffee, and trying to handle 12-hour shifts. Few seem to recognize the cost. Service workers, such as baristas, flight attendants, pilots, and those who are juggling two jobs, plus a family, are facing stressors constantly. During burnout the hardest person to please is oneself.

Pandemic burnout

In recent times, the uncertainty of life and crisis of living in fear of catching COVID has led to a different kind of burnout. Experts call it ‘decision fatigue’. There is so much change that it becomes mentally unsettling.

Disrupted school schedules, the unpredictable work routine, anxiety about sick family members. Even simple decisions as to how to order groceries, what to have for meals, handling children’s study schedules, updates on the pandemic, can all add up to stress. Pandemic burnout weighs heavily on the mind and body; the fact that life has changed to such an extent that one needs to adjust to a new kind of lifestyle.

Previously, a home was considered a sanctuary for rest, and winding down. Now, it has turned into a workplace, a school, and a ‘prison’ for the infected. These kinds of unknowns result in pandemic-specific burnout.

After decades of research, Dr. Christina Maslach, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley has revealed that burnout is not a mental illness, it is not an individual weakness, it is a human response to stress. The difference is that it gets triggered by external factors that are part of our daily life. She explains that work overload is not the only reason that can cause burnout. There are five other triggers:

• Lack of control over one’s choices;
• Absence of fairness;
• Failure of a community spirit;
• Insufficient rewards in terms of recognition or monetary gain;
• Value conflicts.

Maslach says that once a person can isolate the burnout trigger, the issue can be addressed to create a positive pivot.

Tejwani shared that the pressures of an early-stage startup, mom guilt, sometimes led her into an abyss, and the continuous efforts made to come out of it, drained her. “However, once priorities and non-negotiables come into the equation, the emotional drain, turned into empowerment.”

How to get out of burnout

We find that well-wishers or many online posts share ways and means to help with stress and burnout. These include suggestions to do yoga, meditation, go to wellness retreats, and try breathing exercises. While all these are meaningful, one burnout victim said that it is like putting a band-aid on a broken wrist. These tools can help after recovering from burnout, to maintain a balance in life. Often people find it hard to relax when their bodies are in burnout zone.

The way to start the step of relaxation is to first realize the trigger, and then to take progressive steps towards recovering from burnout.

Here are a few suggestions from experts:

1. Take a break. This means disconnecting from the specific stressor. (Read more about digital detox.)
2. Cut back on commitments. Recognize you cannot be there for everyone 24/7.
3. Be clear on priorities. Lessen the workload by sharing your burden with others.
4. Be willing to make some sacrifices. There will be less earnings, but more self-care. Health comes first.
5. Accept that not everything will be perfect. It’s okay to be not okay once in a while.
6. Slower progress leads to work-life balance. Taking time to enjoy small pleasures in life means able to take a deep breath, to enjoy a cuppa with a friend, go for a movie, and get more sleep.
7. Do something that’s creative. Writing, painting, or other creative pursuits will help.
8. Physical movement. Take a walk outdoors; the sounds of nature are soothing.

Tejwani added that, “Prioritizing brings a balance in life. I have realized that my success didn’t follow a single role, but rather a balance of mother/founder/self. In the end, it’s about narratives and redefining what success means to you.”

Shobha Nihalani is a multi-genre author, ghost-writer, and mindset coach. She has been writing for over 25 years. Her recent book on self-esteem – Reboot, Reflect, Revive: Self-Esteem in a Selfie World – has become popular and is recognised for raising awareness on self-esteem.

Shobha believes that the way we communicate with ourselves, and others, has the power to impact our lives. Her expertise as a writing consultant and writer’s coach has given her the opportunity to guide people to acknowledge their own amazing potential to be unique, creative, and resilient in achieving their goals.

Learn more about Shobha Nihalani at www.shobhanihalani.com or contact her at shobhanovels@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Header image credits: grinvalds via Canva

What is the vaccine pass?

From February 24, people who want to enter government venues and 24 other types of private premises including restaurants and fitness centres (see full list below) must produce a vaccine pass for digital scanning. This is a QR code on a paper vaccination certificate or the LeaveHomeSafe app (LHS) that will contain information about whether they have received Covid-19 vaccination, and if so, how many doses. If they cannot show that they have received at least one shot, they will not be allowed to enter the premises.

Who does the vaccine pass apply to?

Anyone aged 12 and above must receive at least one jab by February 24 to enter certain premises. Only people below 12 and those who have medical certificates to prove that they are unfit for vaccination are exempt from this arrangement. Starting September 30, children between the ages of five and 11 must also be vaccinated to enter establishments covered by the vaccine pass.

How many doses do I need to fulfil vaccine pass requirements?

There are three deadlines for vaccine pass eligibility:

• Stage 1: By April 29, 2022, everyone 12 and over should have received at least one Covid-19 shot.
• Stage 2: From April 30 to May 29, 2022, everyone 18 and over should have received their second jab. Those aged 12 to 17 must get their second jab if six months since their first jab has passed within this period.
• Stage 3: Before May 31, 2022, anyone 12 and over who has received their second dose at least six months prior must get their third dose. Hong Kong residents who received their second dose in the past six months are exempted from the May 31 deadline. Their vaccine pass will remain valid, but only if they receive their booster shot within six months after receiving their second jab.

Anyone who is unsure about whether they have had Covid-19 should follow the same vaccination schedule as those who have not contracted the virus. This arrangement also applies to people who do not have their recovery record registered with the Department of Health (DH).

There are two deadlines for children aged between five and 11 years to keep their vaccine passes valid:

• Phase 1: By September 30, children in this age group must receive at least one Covid-19 dose.
• Phase 2: By November 30, children in this age group must receive their second Covid-19 shot.

Dosage schedule for people who have recovered from Covid-19

Hong Kong residents who have recovered from Covid-19 should observe the following dose deadlines:

• Anyone aged 12 or above who has been vaccinated with the second or third dose prior to contracting the virus does not need to be vaccinated further. The same applies to those who have recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months.
• Unvaccinated people over the age of 12 who have recovered more than six months ago must receive their first dose by April 29. If more than six months have passed, they must get their second shot to keep their vaccine pass valid. However, this does not apply to anyone in the 12-17 age group who has received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
• Anyone over the age of 12 who has received their first dose more than six months ago and since contacted Covid-19 has to get their second jab by June 29. This does not apply to anyone in the 12-17 age group who has received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

From September 30, the following conditions will apply to children aged 5-11 who have recovered from the virus:

• Unvaccinated recovered children aged between five and 11 years old must get the first dose six months after recovery.
• Children aged 5-11 who got the second dose before they contracted the virus or are within six months of their recovery do not need to get another shot to keep their vaccine pass valid.
• Those in the five to 11 age group who recovered more than six months ago and who received their first dose six months ago or earlier must get the second dose to maintain their vaccine pass validity. The second-dose requirement is not applicable to recovered persons aged five to 17 who have received one dose of the BioNTech vaccine.

Recovery proof for people who have recovered from Covid-19

Starting 19 April 2022, those who have recovered from Covid-19 (whose positive test results are recorded by the government) can download a recovery QR code from the Covid-19 Electronic Vaccination and Testing Record System, the iAM Smart app, or the latest version of the eHealth app. The QR code can then be downloaded onto the LHS app.

This recovery QR code will be valid for six months from the time a person has recovered from Covid-19 and can be used as a substitute for any Covid-19 doses that they have not yet received. Rapid antigen test results are not considered valid proofs of recovery. Until June 30, those who have recovered from Covid-19 can also show proof of recovery or infection by producing:

• A discharge letter
• An SMS, electronic, or paper record of a positive PCR test issued by the government or a private lab recognized by the Department of Health (DH)
• An SMS or electronic record of the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test
• An isolation order issued by the DH
• Any other recovery record issued by the government or Hospital Authority

From June 30 on, recovered persons must download their recovery QR code.

Ages 12 to 17 need to show birthday on vaccine pass

People aged 12 to 17 must have their dates of birth on their vaccination records and QR codes. There are two ways that these correct QR codes can be downloaded, depending on when the adolescent was vaccinated:

• Vaccinated on or after April 1: The QR code will automatically include the date of birth.
• Vaccinated with first dose before April 30: Those who have received one shot within six months of April 30 can download their updated vaccination record QR code with their dates of birth using the iAM Smart or eHealth apps from April 19.

Where can I go with the vaccine pass?

If you have a vaccine pass, you can enter all government venues (such as libraries, public swimming pools, and museums) and the following premises:

1. Restaurants
2. Shopping malls
3. Department stores
4. Supermarkets
5. Wet markets
6. Hair salons or barber shops
7. Religious establishments
8. Amusement game centres
9. Bathhouses
10. Fitness centres
11. Amusement centres
12. Places of public entertainment
13. Party rooms
14. Beauty parlours
15. Club houses
16. Nightclubs
17. Karaoke establishments
18. Mahjong-tin kau premises
19. Massage establishments
20. Sports premises
21. Swimming pools
22. Hotels or guest houses
23. Cruise ships
24. Temporary event venues

The government has also provided details about the applicable premises for the vaccine pass, as follows.

For individuals

For business owners

Does the vaccine pass apply to schools?

All teaching and non-teaching staff at schools, people who provide on-campus services, and visitors must receive at least one Covid-19 shot by February 24, the second by April 21, and the third by May 31. It is not mandatory for children to be vaccinated to attend school.

Does the vaccine pass apply to the airport?

Anyone who has a valid ticket or boarding pass and a travel document just needs to comply with their destination’s vaccination requirements to enter the airport. However, non-passengers must have a valid vaccine pass if they want to enter the airport to say goodbye to friends and family.

What if I got vaccinated/recovered from Covid outside Hong Kong?

If you were vaccinated overseas, you must declare your non-local vaccination details in your online health arrival declaration. Upon arrival at the airport, you will receive a vaccination record QR code which can be used in place of a local vaccination record, as well as a Provisional Vaccine Pass. This is valid for 180 days from the day of your arrival.

Starting September 17, all arrivals into Hong Kong aged over 12 years old – including those from the Mainland, Macau and Taiwan – must have received two doses of a government-approved Covid-19 vaccine to qualify for this temporary pass. However, children under 11 years old can still get the pass even if they are unvaccinated.

Arrivals who have recovered from the virus can enter the city even if they have only received one dose. All they need to do is show their non-local recovery record upon entry and they’ll be given a non-local vaccination record QR code that includes details of their recovery status. This should be saved in their LeaveHomeSafe app to be scanned at premises that require a Vaccine Pass, and is also valid for 180 days.

All arrivals who enter the city can get this pass at the airport or land boundary control points. Travellers from the Mainland who are exempt from quarantine under the Come2HK and Return2HK schemes may take their ID and health declaration forms to present as proof of their arrival in Hong Kong to any of these 18 designated post offices to get their passes.

If you plan to remain in Hong Kong for longer than six months, you must get vaccinated in Hong Kong to receive a local vaccination record to keep your vaccine pass up-to-date.

Who is exempt from the vaccine pass?

You do not need to produce a vaccine pass in the aforementioned venues if you are:

• Under the age of 5
• Holding a medical exemption certificate (From 1 May on, these must be issued electronically by doctors via the eHealth System or Hospital Authority. Certificates missing a QR code are not valid.)
• Placing an order for food/drink takeaway
• Delivering or picking up an item
• Performing necessary repairs on the premises
• Getting vaccinated or undergoing medical treatment or compulsory testing on the premises
• Entering or passing through to receive essential government service
• Entering or passing through to attend court proceedings
• Preventing physical harm to persons inside the premises
• Being ordered to enter the premises by an officer
• Entering or remaining on the premises with lawful authority or reasonable excuse

Where does the LeaveHomeSafe app come in?

The LeaveHomeSafe app has been updated to meet the new vaccine pass requirements. After a user signs into certain premises using LHS, they will then be asked by the staff to present a QR code that contains information about vaccination records or an Exemption Certificate. Once the code is scanned, the app will display a blue QR code if the user meets the vaccination requirements for entry or has a valid Exemption Certificate. If the app does not contain either of these QR codes, the display will be red.

From September 30, a new function will be added to the LeaveHomeSafe app by which parents of children aged five to 11 years old can store their children’s vaccination information and show it to staff before they enter premises for which their children require a valid vaccine pass.

How does the Hong Kong Health Code work with the Vaccine Pass?

The Hong Kong government has introduced a two-colour health code to monitor the activities of people in the city who contract Covid-19. Residents in Hong Kong and visitors to the city with negative PCR test results will get a blue code, which allows them to move around the city with no restrictions. Those who test positive for Covid-19 via PCR or declare positive RAT results will get a red code, which will prevent them from going to any venues covered by the vaccine pass during their five-day minimum isolation period. Once they recover from the virus, their health code will revert to blue.

How will the vaccine pass be enforced?

There’s a distinction between ‘active checking’ premises and ‘passive checking’ premises; at the former, your QR code must be presented for verification by employees when entering. At the latter, you still have to check in with your LeaveHomeSafe app, but no one will check that your QR code is valid. Officers can conduct random spot checks at these premises to make sure visitors have blue QR codes. The penalty for anyone who fails to present their vaccine proof/medical exemption certificate is $5,000.

FAQ about the vaccine pass

More guides & news on the pandemic

Header image credits: CWMBOA WLAIMEU 336 via WikiCommons, CC BY-SA 4.0

For example, what is the definition of weird? To me, the definition is just something which the majority are not used to seeing, but it does not have to be negative. Most people would be very offended if someone called them weird, abnormal, or unnatural. For me, another example would be that even very common problems like colour blindness, or diabetes, could be considered abnormal too, as most people can see the difference between many tones, and diabetes is a type of illness.

Many times, illnesses can be described as abnormal too, so having any illness or physical problem or being abnormal in any way does not have to be something horrible, scary, or shameful, and we can admit it if we need to. The word unnatural only means the opposite of natural, therefore, it can be neutral as well. When I was younger, I remember sometimes saying in front of others (mostly older adults), “I am weird, or abnormal” and the adults would remark, “You cannot say that about yourself!” Even though I understand that they had only wanted me to be more confident, I believe today, that to them I could be different but should not describe myself this way as it is negative.

The problem with romanticising strength

Also, the “hero culture” in many societies, or the culture of romanticising bravery/fearlessness can create many problems for some people. Each person has a different personality, some people are more fearless and can tackle adversity with a “fighter spirit” (spirit of never giving up). They are stronger and more able to handle any problem which they may have. Others are more positive, and there are people who have a “happy go lucky” or cheerful and easy-going attitude. These people are often more popular in society as the majority believe that being strong, fearless, having a fighter spirit, or being positive, means having the “correct” attitude. Society believes that these people are our role models, therefore, even though we have different personalities and are different, we should learn not to be fearful, timid, negative, or allow others to see that we are weak or admit that we are overwhelmed in difficult situations.

I have learned that we cannot compare ourselves with others and feel inferior or no good just because someone else can do something which we are not able to do. It does not mean that other people should respect us less. One of my examples is that some athletes are able to run 100 metres in 10 seconds or even less while some scientists or mathematicians are able to solve the most complicated formulae. Does it mean that others are no good because they are not able to do the same?

So, I believe that when it comes to people‘s personalities, the kind of spirit or attitude which they have, and whether they are able to face different problems, it is the same. Many people love hearing rags to riches stories and are inspired by how some successful people arrived at their high station in life from nothing in the beginning, or how some people selflessly turned around to help others after having walked a very difficult road themselves. I very much respect those people too, but believe that we cannot expect everyone to be a role model or hero as it is not possible. I think that one reason why most people find it so shameful to admit being weak, fearful, negative, or over sensitive, is because society has taught us that this is not something which we can accept. 

Also when I was younger, the people around me would often show me true stories or examples of how people who are much less fortunate, or have much more serious problems/illnesses/disabilities can still become successful by working hard. I understand that they had only wanted to encourage me to do better, but I only felt more frustrated and negative after listening to those stories. I often had the feeling that I could never be like them as I did not have this kind of personality or spirit, therefore I would think, or sometimes answer, that I cannot be like them, or that I am simply not as good as them. When I spoke to adults about my problems, or how I felt, I remember admitting that I am not as strong or brave as others, and then they would tell me, “ I think that you are quite brave, and quite a strong person too.” I know that they said this to encourage me as well. Thinking about this now, I still do not see myself as strong, brave, or positive, but believe that I have learned to accept, respect, and love myself, as I believe that I can still be a good person.

Experiences, free will, and mental health 

I had always disagreed with, and disliked the idea of many psychologists/psychiatrists, as well as some doctors, that abnormal thinking and all types of abnormal behaviour must be “corrected”. I agree that people with mental illnesses can often feel extremely frightened, depressed, or frustrated, and therefore need help from professionals. I also believe that the job of a psychologist or psychiatrist is to understand and help the patient to follow their own wishes, or dreams, and to be able to have the life that the patient wants. It should not be to help the patient have a life which the psychologist or others think is “normal” or “complete”. For example, if a patient very much wishes to have good relationships with others or have good friends, but is always worried about being cheated or hurt by the people they know and therefore is frustrated and unhappy, I believe that they need help. However, if a person fears, or is worried about something which they actually do not wish to have, then I do not think that this needs to be “cured”, or “corrected”.

No one should tell another person what types of experiences they should have, as no one can be sure what will make another person the happiest. When it comes to a person‘s own wishes, or how they wish to live, as long as they do not hurt anyone or offend others, we should respect their free will. The truth is that no person can have all the different life experiences. Therefore, if a psychologist tells a patient that they are not thinking “correctly” when the patient actually understands themselves, and knows their own wishes, it seriously harms the patient and does not make sense either.

I very much agree with these three quotations below by Søren Kierkegaard- a 19th century Danish existentialist philosopher, and Jean Paul Sartre- a 20th century French philosopher.

“Each individual- not reason, society, or religious orthodoxy- is solely tasked with giving meaning to life, and living it sincerely, and “authentically”. (Søren Kierkegaard)

“Subjectivity is truth” (Søren Kierkegaard) 

“Life has no meaning a priori, it is up to you to give it a meaning, and value is nothing, but the value that you choose”. (Jean Paul Sartre)

To me, the line “Subjectivity is truth” is sometimes true, as an experience is positive or negative to a person because of their own feelings, opinions and wishes. So, it would be meaningless to live, or have life experiences, just to be able to fit into society. In the end, each person has to understand themselves and their wishes, follow their own free will, and do what is meaningful to them, to be happy.

Accepting more than one way of living life

Quite soon after my 25th birthday, I had completed writing and recording an original song which has always been very meaningful to me. Writing this song – Proud To Be Me, I had learned that it is not possible for everyone to appreciate, or be proud of, all our ideas or everything that we do. So, this does not mean that what we are doing is not good enough or that our ideas are no good only because what different people appreciate is not the same. There will always be people who disagree with, or dislike, our opinions but when we have our own reasons or explanations, this is not a reason for us to be afraid to express them. How others see us is their choice, unless we have attacked them.

When I was younger, I was often afraid of admitting the way I was, what I thought, or my wishes, as I was worried about being judged or criticised, especially by people who were important to me. I was also afraid of mentioning my mental health problems in front of others, not because I thought that having mental health problems was shameful but because I worried that they would judge me when they realised what my wishes were – that I did not wish to live like other young people.

Speaking honestly, there is much more that I would like to continue to do. I believe that if I had been “corrected”, or did not have any of my mental health problems (that I was 100% “normal”), I would not be the same person, have the same personality, ideas, or opinions which I have today. I would like more people to know that mental health patients do not have to be successfully “cured” to be able to share their stories, even if this is what many people in society would expect. I would also like to share my opinion that we are not just a part of one generation of the human race, each person is themselves. 

Gnomy Evergreen (the author’s pen name) is a person who has lived in Hong Kong since birth. She lives with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Gerascophobia, an extremely rare fear of growing up. Since the age of 10, she has received various treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure and response prevention, which made her feel unseen and othered. Now, she is trying to raise awareness about the emphasis on ‘curing’ rather than ‘helping’ in conventional medical treatment of these conditions.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Header image credits: Ben White via Unsplash

The second and more important reason why my therapists judged me was because although I did not express myself so clearly at the time, they already knew that my wishes were very different from those of most other patients with OCD or other forms of anxiety. I have always wanted to make it clear that I never enjoy feeling frustrated, worried, or being moody when anxiety attacks me so that I am not able to pursue my interests, such as oil painting, song writing, singing, my interest in foreign languages, etc.

However, I do not wish to be like the majority of young people my age, live like them, or have their lifestyle. I do not wish to have many of the “ordinary”, or “normal” life experiences that most people have, or would want to have. Although I know that there are many “ordinary”, or “normal” life experiences that I never had, but which are very important to the majority, for example, adventurous experiences with friends, romantic relationships, studying a degree, experiences to do with career, winning competitions, etc. I only wish to be able to continue doing what I find meaningful, follow my own wishes, have lasting and true relationships with friends, be myself, and be happy. It seemed that to the therapists who I had visited in the past, their most important job was to change a mental health patient into a “normal” person, and this was not what I wanted. 

Secondary school

I was a special needs student at my secondary school. Although I had always most appreciated all of the special arrangements which my school had given me, I can honestly say that I have no regrets that I was not able to take public exams during those years due to OCD and my anxiety. I now believe that even if I was able to take the public exams, this would have only made me more miserable as well as lose my interest in the subjects which I had studied. Thinking of when I was a school student, I had truly wanted to understand what I was studying because I did not have the pressure of academic results. In my opinion, each person’s ways and needs for learning are different.

For me, I can only learn well without the pressure to pass exams, pressure from other people, win competitions, be successful in performing, or compare with others. I am also able to learn well and improve only when I am learning because I am interested, and therefore want to do well and improve, but not to please others. I believe that people should be able to express themselves, be themselves, and walk their own road, instead of having to follow what society or other people expect them to be able to do even if they know that it is actually not fit for themselves.

Puberty and Gerascophobia

After reading the article, I believe that my Gerascophobia began during puberty, as I had never wanted my body to change. I was so worried about growing big and tall as well as having a feminine figure that I would do the opposite of anything which I heard could make me grow bigger or taller. I had never avoided food when I was hungry or avoided eating different types of food, but I tried hard to control puberty by eating less and not exercising much (although I never had a big appetite, or especially enjoyed activities with a lot of physical exercise, even when I was younger). Also, as I heard that there were some exercises which could help me grow taller, like skipping or jumping, I was careful to avoid them.

Everytime that someone told me that I had grown taller or looked older or more mature, I would feel very uncomfortable as it gave me anxiety. I would then try even harder to control puberty. I only stopped controlling myself when I knew that I had stopped growing. At the time, I did not dare to tell anyone as I was worried that if my parents knew, they would take me to visit more psychologists/psychiatrists. I already had many very unhappy experiences visiting psychologists/psychiatrists. My parents, and perhaps people who knew me well, only knew that I did not wish to grow big and tall, or look mature.

Another experience which may be interesting to people in different cultures is that during Chinese New Year, children or young people would greet adults (or married people in the older generation) with good wishes for the new year and then receive red packets (Lai See). When the adults give them Lai See, they would often bless them by saying, “I wish that you grow up fast, and grow big and tall”. I had disliked hearing this, and therefore each time when the person had turned their back, or was further away, I would say, “Reverse, reverse!”

Diving into Gerascophobia

Some years after puberty, when I was around 20 years old, one of my cousins, who had always been closer to me, asked me and my mother how come I always wished to be younger and really looked very young for my age, could it be that the mind could control the body? At the time, like most people, I had not heard of Gerascophobia, therefore I did not think much about his question. However, when I became older, like some of the people who knew me well, I had noticed that I did not only look quite young for my age, but that my natural voice when I spoke sounded like a young girl more than a woman. Then I remembered my cousin‘s question and started to be curious about whether it was possible that a person‘s mind could control their own body.

Even today, I like to have the image of a young girl, and would always dress much younger than my age. I do not treat myself as a woman and cannot accept it if others (even strangers) describe me as a woman. I would feel extremely uncomfortable or have anxiety if I had to dress like someone my age. I cannot be totally sure, but guess that the feeling would be a little similar to if a transgender person, or person with gender identity problems, had to dress as their birth gender.

Most teenagers would look forward to, or be excited about, celebrating their 18th birthday, but I was the opposite. A few months before I turned 18, I started to worry that because I would be an adult legally, the people around me would not continue to treat me in the same way. When I slept at night, I dreamed about feeling old. On my birthday that year, my parents organised a special birthday celebration for me. They booked a private room and invited many of our good friends to come and celebrate, with bottles of wine and champagne. Although I had very much appreciated how my parents and friends gave me that special celebration and, in particular, everyone‘s good wishes, I was not so excited. I did not want to feel like this was a “grown up” or “coming of age” party especially for me. I had never liked it when people asked how I felt being 18 or 21, or if I felt different, as I had never wanted to feel different due to my age.

For the coming 10 years until my 28th birthday, I was not in an especially good mood on my own birthday although I had always appreciated it when my family and friends remembered me, or if I had received cards, or gifts from them. I had always preferred celebrating other people‘s birthdays, especially the people who I cared about, as I did not want to have the feeling that I was growing older. However, on my 28th birthday, I was finally able to tell myself that as long as I can have the same image and others would treat me in the same or similar way, then I can treat myself in the same way too and as if I was the same age every year. I could think of it like my age was just a number, and would not need to have the feeling that I was growing older. Also, I reminded myself that for most of the time, people would not check my identity card in the street either.

Stay tuned for the final part, Chapter 3, of Gnomy Evergreen’s story.

Gnomy Evergreen (the author’s pen name) is a person who has lived in Hong Kong since birth. She lives with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Gerascophobia, an extremely rare fear of growing up. Since the age of 10, she has received various treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure and response prevention, which made her feel unseen and othered. Now, she is trying to raise awareness about the emphasis on ‘curing’ rather than ‘helping’ in conventional medical treatment of these conditions.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Header image credits: SeventyFour via Canva

More recently, I had found out by myself, after reading an article on the Internet, that I also have an extremely rare phobia of growing up, or growing older: Gerascophobia. Before learning about Gerascophobia, I sometimes wondered if I had (BDD) body dysmorphic disorder as well, however, after reading the article online, I understood that it was something else. At the time, around 5 or 6 years ago, I saw an article online about a 14 years old boy in Mexico, who was diagnosed with an extremely rare type of phobia. Like me, he had a fear of growing up.

I had immediately thought that the description of the symptoms of the boy in the article was very similar to the way I would describe myself, or what had happened to me during puberty. However, all of the psychologists and psychiatrists who I have met in Hong Kong as well as in the US seemed to know very little about the type of Gerascophobia which I believe that I have.

My time at primary school

During my first year at primary school (when I was around 5 years old), my school teachers already thought that there was something wrong with me. Therefore, the school recommended that my parents and I visit the school‘s child psychologist. At the time, visiting the child psychologist had made me extremely unhappy. He believed that I was a problem child, and that one of the reasons was because my parents were not strict enough (too friendly) towards me. I believe that I have always been someone who would never accept an aggressive person’s words, i.e. I could never be threatened.

Also, I was the kind of child who would never accept what adults told me without an explanation, and was not afraid to argue when I disagreed, or did not accept their words. I always had my own opinions about almost everything, but would cooperate if adults were patient to explain in a nice way and give reasons. Therefore, I believe that this was another reason why to my school teachers, and to the child psychologist, I was a stubborn problem child.

Thinking about this, I wonder how adults can teach a child to be polite to the people around them if they themselves are rude and aggressive towards the child. The child psychologist had made me feel that I was the problem and given me the feeling that he, my parents, and teachers on the one hand and I on the other hand, were fighting against each other. Doing this seriously harms children.

Bullying from classmates

During my last two years at primary school, I became even unhappier as I was bullied badly by some classmates (one boy, was violent towards me as well). When I was in grade 5, I had a feeling that even my class teacher disliked me very much. The school had always said that they had very strict policies about bullying; unfortunately, to me, those were only words as I felt that they did not do much to protect me. Even before these two years, some of the children as well as one or two of the security guards in the residential compound where I lived, had sometimes made fun of me. I felt that I was in a negative environment as the adults around me sometimes gave me a feeling that people made fun of me because I gave myself an image which seemed weak and weird (meaning I was creating trouble for myself).

I also often had a feeling that when I was unhappy or had problems, the people around me did not sympathise much for in their opinion, I was unhappy because of my own attitude or because I was not working hard to do better. Another reason why I was unhappy was that I felt that no one truly understood and accepted me. To my friends, relatives, and all of the people who knew me, I was the luckiest “little princess” who had everything which she wanted, as my family loved me very much (which I have never denied) and was able to give me every tangible thing that I needed.

Unfortunately, for many years, my parents and the people who knew me had given me the feeling that they would love and appreciate me more if I had a different personality or attitude. I mean that if I was less sensitive, more positive, fearless, had a fighter spirit, or was a stronger person. Also, I was never the type of person who would be willing to try everything, (or all types of treatment) just to help themselves. I have always been more afraid of having to face pain or difficulty, and am still this way today. Although I knew that my family and friends loved and cared about me very much, I felt that no one had loved and accepted me as the person I was. No one could imagine why I was quite miserable. Therefore afterwards, even when I was much older, I had often felt that I would never be the person that people around me imagined, or expected me to be.

Today, I believe that society should learn to accept that everyone is different. Each person should be able to be themselves, without worrying about forcing themselves to be a different person, or be like other people who are popular, just to please the people around them. Others should respect us as well as our different personalities as long as we know ourselves and do not hurt anyone. I now also understand that if we truly love or care about someone, then we must love and accept them as the person they are. People who do not accept or respect the real you are not your friends.

Treatment in North America: Questionable treatment methods

Starting from the year when I graduated from primary school until the summer before my 18th birthday, my parents and I had travelled to either Canada or the US almost every summer holiday, as well as during one Christmas holiday, for my treatment. Unfortunately, beginning from the summer after I had finished my first year at secondary school, every time I returned to Hong Kong and to school after the trip, I felt very disappointed and unhappy.

During the summer when I travelled to the US for my treatment for the first time, my therapist also recommended another child psychologist/family counsellor to my parents, as she thought that I had problems with my attitude. In my opinion, he (the child psychologist/family counsellor) was teaching my parents to give me a rude answer every time I said something which they disagreed with, or disliked – ”talk to the hand” was the response he taught my parents. You can imagine what would happen if a student did this at school!

One of my more recent theories is: It does not make sense to me that many people believe that they need to be polite to their friends and other people and be careful not to offend them, but think that just because they can speak very honestly at home, that they do not really have to worry about offending their close family. What I mean is that many people would just yell, or answer rudely at home when someone in their family makes comments which they disagree with or expresses an opinion which they dislike.

I do not believe that the majority are rude to their families on purpose. However, one reason behind may be that if you have this type of reaction towards a friend or other people you know, they could easily end their relationship with you. Many people probably have the idea that close family cannot do this just because you have offended them, and they always have to forgive you in the end. Strangely, if you tell the majority that you do not say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ to your family at home, they would surely disagree. But to me, there is not much difference between the two examples. So I agree that we should be most honest towards close family, but believe that we should speak politely even if we disagree.

Gnomy Evergreen (the author’s pen name) is a person who has lived in Hong Kong since birth. She lives with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Gerascophobia, an extremely rare fear of growing up. Since the age of 10, she has received various treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure and response prevention, which made her feel unseen and othered. Now, she is trying to raise awareness about the emphasis on ‘curing’ rather than ‘helping’ in conventional medical treatment of these conditions.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Header image credits: Maridav via Canva

For example, when we scroll through posts of perfect images or newsfeeds, we feel there is a lack in ourselves. The feelings creep in and create diminished self- confidence, self-worth and self-respect.

How we esteem ourselves is crucial to our mental health. It is the foundation of our inner strength, from where we can draw upon our resources of motivation, courage and confidence.

A mental framework for self-esteem

What is self-esteem? If we take a surface-level viewpoint, it is our opinion of ourselves, it is how we evaluate ourselves. On a deeper level, self-esteem is a basic human need, and forms a foundation of our inner selves. It is the gap between our current image and ideal image. If the gap is wide, we suffer from low self-esteem, if the gap is narrow, we evaluate ourselves positively.

According to psychologists, self-esteem tends to fluctuate daily. With every external input, we are affected internally. If we have a healthy sense of self, we can pursue our goals. But, if our self-esteem has taken a hit, we are unable to function to the best of our ability. We tend to compare ourselves with others, criticize ourselves, and then feel we are not good enough.

Self-esteem has become all the more relevant in our hyper-connected technologically savvy world.

Social media allows us to lie by omission

When we interact with others online, we put up a front, we prefer to present an image of success and happiness. No one feels like sharing those low moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. We are intent in continuing to appear perfect.

Psychologists have a term for the way we lie to ourselves and others. It is also referred to as reputation management, which is creating an image for others to see. This kind of management refers to how others are perceiving me, what do they think about me, or my life and so on. We are constantly editing the truth and then tailoring ourselves into an acceptable form for other people. Often, we are not aware we are doing that.

When we lie to ourselves, we lose sight of our own identity, and try to live up to the standards of the fake self-image. It then becomes harder to maintain an image that is just meant for the outside world.

What happens when the façade fails to achieve its goal?

We fall apart. We have fallen in our own eyes simply because how we esteem ourselves relies on how others perceive us. Our self-esteem depends on others validation of ourselves, which then makes our feelings a servant to how others judge us.

Research shows that most apps on our smart phones are designed to be addictive. The apps are sharing news feeds that affect us, and we in turn share feeds that affect others. This domino effect creates mindsets that are distressed, anxious, exacerbated by a harsh inner critic.

When we scroll through social media, many posts create an impression on our minds that tells us to be someone we are not. These are the kinds of news feeds designed to upset us, to trigger feelings of lack.

A teenager said that, “We are taught from a young age to ‘glow up’ to be attractive, and if we are not meeting certain social standards, then we are not good enough, we are unlovable, unworthy or not valued. By taking a certain pill, using a certain product, changing our physical appearance, it will make us a better person.”

This kind of thinking implies that we are in constant self-fix-it mode, and over time becomes a habit, which then leads to constant self-deprecation. The feeling of ‘not good enough’ crops up at every crossroad in life.

What happens when we set such high standards of ourselves?

Social media creates dysfunctional perfectionism

Setting goals and pursuing them is a good thing. However, at times the standards are set so high that they are impossible to achieve. Perfectionism refers to a mindset that is in a constant dissatisfied state, no matter how much is accomplished, there is reason for it to be not good enough. We then turn against our own selves. It becomes stressful when we cannot reach arbitrary imaginary standards set by our own demanding self. The anxiety and negativity that perfectionism brings with it can get overwhelming.

It is an all-or-nothing attitude towards achieving goals. Many young people are constantly pushing themselves to do and be the best. According to research studies, social media has come up as one of the aggravating causes of this pressure to be perfect. The negative focus leads to comparing oneself to others, obsession, fear of failure, and chronic stress. This doesn’t mean that we have to avoid scrolling through social sites. Avoiding the issues doesn’t make them go away.

We have to live with social media, we can curtail the use of our devices, however that may not be possible in the long run. Our mobile devices have become a valuable extension of our lives, we use them for multiple purposes. The mobile has offered us a camera, phone banking services, Zoom calls, online meetings, and many more. We don’t just play games on our phones; we use them for serious business too.

Insights into the smartphone generation

The first smartphone hit the market in 2007. It became smarter as the years flew by. Advances in technology has given us maximum flexibility with the small screen, and therefore the demand for smartphones have exploded. With smartphones there is instant gratification, we experience an immediate high which keeps us hooked on our little gadgets of pleasure.

The greatest usage, according to the Global Web Index, is by the Gen Zs, those born between 1997 and 2012. They have never known a world without smartphones, and therefore it is a natural part of their lives. The Gen Zs have made good use of the mobile devices, in ways that are more productive.

Recent research shared the positive impact of smart phones in pandemic times, keeping us abreast of news, market businesses, and enabling us to connect with families globally.

However, there are many studies that share opposing views on the benefits of social media. Research shows that most of the time we use social media to lift our confidence and self-esteem. Once we are offline, we lose that sense of self-worth. We are dependent on the likes, comments, and attention online, such that we feel bad when we are not getting the constant validation. Soon we forget that our own opinion matters more. Deceitful images give us a point of view that is unreal, we strive to match them. We then compare and compete with others, forcing ourselves to be another identity. We don’t see the truth behind the digital curtain.

Whichever way you look at it, young or old, all generations are connected to their mobile devices. This is the way of the world. We all have to learn to be more discerning and not accept everything we see as the whole truth.

If we are aware of our reactions internally, we can use the gadgets for what they are, a useful tool, like any other appliance or electronic item in our home.

Awareness and acceptance

The truth of who we are is more important to ourselves. Having the ability to accept ourselves despite flaws is crucial when we face constant attacks on our self-esteem. During those moments when the mind gives us reasons to hate ourselves, we need to take a pause and become aware of why it happens. Any kind of self-hate can lead to mental health issues.

Becoming aware of our internal landscape will give us clarity of what we can do to change. We have every right to feel good about who we are as we are.

If friends or social media opinions matter more than your own, then you need to rethink what you can do to be positive about yourself. Are the people you associate with supportive or critical? Are they focusing on your negatives or motivating you? Being around people who are like-minded, who are supportive and encouraging, can help you develop and maintain your self-esteem.

Social media or not, ultimately the reality is that each one of us is responsible for our own internal transformation. And to do that we must learn to be compassionate with ourselves.

 Read more advice from Shobha Nihalani on self-esteem 

Shobha Nihalani is a multi-genre author, ghost-writer, and mindset coach. She has been writing for over 25 years. Her recent book on self-esteem – Reboot, Reflect, Revive: Self-Esteem in a Selfie World – has become popular and is recognised for raising awareness on self-esteem.

Shobha believes that the way we communicate with ourselves, and others, has the power to impact our lives. Her expertise as a writing consultant and writer’s coach has given her the opportunity to guide people to acknowledge their own amazing potential to be unique, creative, and resilient in achieving their goals.

Learn more about Shobha Nihalani at www.shobhanihalani.com or contact her at shobhanovels@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Header image credits: capturenow via Canva

Note: While the information provided here is accurate at the time of writing, the situation is changing regularly and rapidly and this article may not always be up-to-date. Refer to the government’s official guidelines for the most updated information: StayHomeSafe Scheme and where to get tested/what to do if you test positive.

What happens if you test positive for Covid-19?

From September 26, inbound travellers no longer have to quarantine at a hotel after they arrive in Hong Kong. Once they land at the airport, they must first undergo a PCR test and are then free to leave for their homes or hotels, where they can await their results. If the result is positive, they will be issued a red health code, which will prohibit them from entering public places in the city.

Those who test positive for the virus after undergoing a nucleic acid test at a community testing centre or mobile specimen collection station can report their health status on this website and will be added to the Covid-19 Admission Allocation System. Anyone in the community who tests positive on a RAT and reports it to the government should declare their Covid-positive result on this website.

Confirmed patients are isolated in different facilities, depending on the severity of their symptoms. The following applies to incoming travellers and residents with no recent history of overseas travel:

• Patients in critical condition and in need of hospitalisation: Anyone infected with Covid-19 who is deemed in critical or serious condition, who are elderly, or who have chronic ailments are sent to public hospitals.
• Patients in relatively stable condition: These patients are sent to the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre (HKICC) and community treatment facilities, such as the one at AsiaWorld-Expo.
• Asymptomatic patients: These patients who do not need medical attention are sent to different isolation facilities depending on the amount of non-Covid care they need.
  • Isolation facilities and holding centres for the elderly: These facilities are for patients who require care support.
  • Isolation facilities with individual units: These facilities are for patients admitted with carers or family members.
  • General isolation facilities: These facilities are for able-bodied patients who can care for themselves.
• Designated clinics and home isolation: Patients who test positive at home using a rapid antigen test and who exhibit mild symptoms such as a fever, sore throat or runny nose can stay at home until they are transferred to a hospital or community isolation facility. In the interim, they can make bookings at a designated clinic for Covid-19 confirmed cases for treatment. Home quarantine under the StayHomeSafe scheme is an option for patients who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and who fulfill certain criteria, such as having access to a separate toilet and bedroom and not co-habiting with a high-risk individual (elderly people, pregnant women or chronically ill patients with low immunity). These patients are issued a red health code and an electronic tracking bracelet to ensure that they do not leave their homes during their isolation period.

What happens to recovered arrivals who test positive for Covid-19 on their arrival PCR test?

International arrivals who have contracted Covid-19 abroad must present certain documents upon arrival at the airport to prove that they were infected and have subsequently recovered from the virus. The Department of Health can allow an arriving traveller who tests positive for Covid-19 on their arrival PCR test and who has recovered from the virus within the past three months to stay at their homes if they meet the StayHomeSafe criteria, or at their hotels at their own expense. The decision is made based on data in the PCR test result and the individual’s recovery record.

What happens if my child tests positive for Covid-19?

The Hospital Authority has said that children infected with the virus who are in stable condition can remain at home. If they need hospitalisation, they will be transferred to a paediatric isolation facility in a public hospital.

In addition, if parents or carers have also tested positive and are well enough to care for a hospitalised child, they may be allowed to stay with the child if there is enough room in the ward. However, parents or carers are not advised to stay with children if they test negative. Special considerations are made for requirements such as direct breastfeeding. Parents and carers will have to sign consent forms and follow the hospital’s infection-control measures.

Unvaccinated children who test positive for Covid-19 during their isolation period at a quarantine hotel and are mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic are sent to an isolation facility along with one parent for 14 days.

When can you get discharged after testing positive for Covid-19?

Covid-19 patients can be discharged based on the following criteria. Note that these rules only apply to individuals who have gotten at least two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. If you have gotten only one dose or haven’t gotten vaccinated, no matter if you’ve been hospitalised or are staying at an isolation facility, the minimum time until you can be discharged is 14 days.

• Hospitalised patients: Hospitalised patients who test negative and are asymptomatic seven days after they first test positive can return home for another seven days of isolation, provided they do not live with elderly people, pregnant women or chronically ill patients with low immunity (i.e. high-risk individuals). They must stay at the hospital if they test positive on the seventh day or cannot return home. On Day 14, if they return another negative nucleic acid test, they can be discharged.
• Patients at community isolation facilities: Patients at isolation facilities, including international arrivals, who return a negative RAT on their sixth and seventh days can be discharged. They must stay at the isolation facility if they test positive on the seventh day or cannot return home. After this, they must take RATs every day and can only be discharged when they test negative two days in a row.
• International arrivals: If an overseas passenger tests positive during their three-day medical surveillance period via PCR or RAT, they are issued a red health code and may stay at home or at their hotel until they complete their recovery period. The day after testing or when the positive sample was collected is counted as Day 1 of their recovery period. The discharge criteria for international arrivals are the same as local cases.

International arrivals who test positive for Covid-19 and patients who contracted the virus in Hong Kong can declare their negative RAT results here. The earliest you can declare your results is Day 7 after your initial positive test result. Hospitalised patients who have been discharged may also declare their results on the same website. Once you’ve completed the declaration, your health code will change to blue and you can move around the city without any restrictions.

When does my home isolation period end?

The isolation period for people who contract Covid-19 within Hong Kong and who are cleared for home quarantine under the StayHomeSafe scheme is 14 days. Those who have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine may complete their isolation period earlier if they test negative on Days 6 and 7 on an antigen test. If they test positive on these days, they must continue to isolate at home and undergo daily RATs until they test negative for the virus on two consecutive days. Once patients under home isolation complete their quarantine period, they can remove their electronic tracking wristbands and uninstall the StayHomeSafe app.

What happens if you’re a close contact of a local case?

The Hong Kong government defines close contacts of confirmed Covid-19 patients as anyone who:

• Lives with the confirmed case in the same household.
• Has had face-to-face close contact with the confirmed case, especially in instances when the patient did not wear a mask (e.g., having meals together).

A confirmed patient’s close contacts are traced from two days before the patient began exhibiting symptoms of the virus. For asymptomatic patients, the tracing period begins from two days before patient’s Covid-positive specimen was collected.

Close contacts of confirmed patients who test positive for any Omicron subvariants can isolate at home, provided that they meet the StayHomeSafe criteria. If the home environment is not deemed suitable for isolation, close contacts will be sent to government isolation centres.

What happens if you’re a close contact of an imported case?

If you have travelled into Hong Kong with a companion or family member who tests positive for Covid-19, you are considered a close contact and must undergo quarantine either at home or at your hotel. If you live with the confirmed patient, you can isolate at home if you can stay in a separate bedroom and use a different bathroom than that of the patient. In addition, you must not be in a high-risk group, i.e., elderly, pregnant or have co-morbidities.

When can close contacts end their isolation period?

If you are double-vaccinated and test negative on a RAT on Days 6 and 7 (or two successive days thereafter) after the confirmed patient’s initial positive result, you may end your isolation period. However, if you are unvaccinated or have received only one shot of a Covid-19 vaccine, you must isolate for 14 days.

What happens to recovered Covid-19 patients who get a Compulsory Testing Notice?

Recovered Covid-19 patients who have tested positive within the past three months either via PCR or RAT and reported it to the Department of Health are exempt from mandatory testing if they get a Compulsory Testing Notice. They must also provide proof of their recovery so that they do not have to undergo compulsory testing. This does not apply to recovered patients who have not reported their positive RAT results to the government.

More guides & news on the pandemic

Header image credits: China News Service via WikiCommons, CC BY 3.0

Research has revealed that our phones are ten times dirtier than most toilet seats and more shockingly deadly germs, bacteria, and even the coronavirus can live on the surface of our phones for about four days. While most of us resort to using alcohol-wipes to disinfect the surfaces and the devices, The Kare Lab is now announcing a care-free and effortless way to prevent viruses living on your phone for days.

Made in Korea and having been tested in field trials and laboratories independently in France, Japan, and Korea for its efficacy and durability, the Kare Lab Anti-Viral & Anti-Microbial Screen Protector has proven to kill 99% of coronavirus within 30 minutes and 99.9% bacteria within 10 minutes and could be used for up to a year. The silver and PET-based Anti-Virus (Coronavirus) film is the world’s only and first to be accredited with ISO 21702 certification and by CE and FDA altogether.

Key features of anti-microbial screen protector

• Terminates 99% of all viruses: The latest innovative screen protector from The Kare Lab could kill 99% coronavirus in 30 minutes and 99.9% bacteria within 10 minutes. It is hyper-effective which kills all harmful pollutants and highly-infectious bacteria. It is also proved to be effective against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its Omicron variant.
• Long-lasting and around the clock protection: By passing 1,000 times alcohol rubbing test and applying Anti-viral technology, the screen protector self-cleanses and could last for up to one year of daily and continuous use without the need to be cleaned manually.
• Chemicals-free, children and pet-friendly: Made with optical-grade PET material, the screen protector is chemical-free and recyclable for disposal. It is “Restriction of Hazardous Substances” (RoHS)-compliant and poses no hazardous substances against humans and the environment.
• Silk-like touch and accessories compatible: The screen protector is anti-scratch, anti-shatter, and comes with a paper and soft feel that reduces fingerprints and smudges. When installed on your iPhone and iPad devices, the protector is also compatible with Apple pencil and stylus pen.
• Easy and quick to install: Just like installing your regular screen protector, the Kare Lab’s Anti-Viral & Anti-Microbial Screen Protector is compatible with most smartphone and tablet devices.

Multi-use germ-killing protective film

The screen protective film can also be applied and installed to frequently-touched objects such as remote controllers, handbags, or building materials such as artificial marble and wallpaper, without changing their texture and appearance. Currently, some department stores and shopping malls have been deploying the same protective films to protect their customers from viruses in Hong Kong while Vivo Air Links, an air freight services provider, is also wrapping their food containers with the film to protect the food and their staff from the threats of the viruses throughout the whole logistics.

“Our phones are exposed to everything we have touched and are regarded as our ‘third hand’. As the world’s first and only protective film, certified by all three highly-esteemed international organisations, that can effectively kill 99% of Coronavirus (COVID-19, SARS, MERS), H1N1 influenza virus within 30 minutes and bacteria in 10 minutes, we are confident and excited to create this innovative product for everyday’s use to protect everyone in a virus and hassle-free environment where the Omnicron variant is still imposing high risks to health systems.” said Michelle Chiu, Founder of The Kare Lab.

The Kare Lab Anti-Viral & Anti-Microbial Screen Protector is now available for sale on its online store for pricings starting from HKD$280 for iPhones and HKD$380 for iPads.

Image credits: The Kare Lab

In these times, more and more people have felt this sense of emptiness and sadness. The topic of loneliness has come to the forefront because of the Covid-19 world we live in. According to surveys, loneliness existed pre-pandemic, it is definitely not a new social problem; it has just become more obvious in these times of social-distancing and self-isolation. The multiple factors that contribute to loneliness make it a complicated inner world to navigate.

What is emotional loneliness?

Social psychologists define loneliness as the gap between an ideal and current social connection. Some attribute it to internal factors such as low self-esteem. Often, when people lack confidence in themselves, they are reluctant to socialize. Their inner fears and sense of unworthiness are the core reasons.

Webster’s dictionary defines ‘lonely’ as “being without company or cut off from others and producing a feeling of bleakness or desolation.”

Loneliness is a mixture of feelings, of rejection combined with a sense of isolation and emptiness. These are complicated emotions. Loneliness is increasingly becoming recognized as a health issue that affects us physically and mentally.

The most common types of loneliness

There are different types of loneliness. Even in a crowd or group, people can experience a sense of loneliness. Life is about relationships and we crave human connection. Still, when we feel that we are not wanted, ignored, or even belittled, that sense of rejection affects a person deeply, creating emotional loneliness. It is a feeling that no one truly understands you or what you’re going through. You feel that you cannot talk to anyone because they will not be able to support you.

Another form of loneliness that is happening more commonly is social isolation. Not just physically but emotionally as well, many find it difficult to adjust to pandemic restrictions. According to recent studies, there are high costs associated with the implementation of social distancing rules and quarantine procedures. These restrictions are in place to reduce the transmission of Covid-19. However, many have been affected mentally, experiencing a severe sense of isolation and loneliness.

If you are stuck in a hotel room or at home, it can affect your state of mind. The loneliness can at times make you feel that everything in your life is falling apart.

In other ways, loneliness becomes negative when you are in close proximity to family members who need constant care or are too demanding. In these times, many people are reevaluating their lives, trying to figure out the uncertainties and how to cope with them.

What are the root causes of loneliness?

There is no clear indication that social isolation will lead to loneliness. Does being alone actually mean you feel lonely? Not necessarily. Do fewer in-person interactions create a sense of hopelessness? Not true either. There are people who live alone, are they all necessarily feeling lonelier in the pandemic? We don’t really know.

Loneliness is a phenomenon that is not as simplistic as a cause and effect. Factors like quality of life, economic conditions, relationship issues, health of loved ones, and other stressors can trigger feelings of loneliness, otherwise understood as the gap between what we want our social world to look like and what it actually looks like.

Research shows that certain personality traits can lead to feelings of isolation. For example, introverts prefer to be on their own. Their tendencies could lead to loneliness. Introverts crave solitude and probably prefer to be on their own. However, if there is something else that adversely affects their lifestyle, it could trigger feelings of hopelessness.

Often, when work or relationship dynamics change, conflicts arise, which lead to feelings of being misunderstood and resentment. A person going through such changes will feel alone, lost, and like no one understands them.

What happens when we spend too much time alone?

Studies indicate that loneliness can be damaging to health. When we feel lonely, we become sad and empty, the body becomes lethargic. As the feelings become habitual, it becomes anhedonia, or the inability to feel pleasure. Adding on to that there is anxiety and lack of confidence to do anything different. As time goes by, there is a sense of hopelessness. The body further loses energy and there’s a loss of the ability to concentrate on any activity. Some days, insomnia persists, other days you might sleep too much. To numb these feelings, some people may resort to alcohol, recreational drugs, or overconsumption of media.

We are wired to be social. No matter how shy or introverted you may be, loneliness is not a life goal. Being alone or spending time in solitude to self-reflect are good habits. However, ruminating and over-analysing everything in an echo chamber with yourself are not helpful habits. If one is lonely, being aware of one’s own feelings, attitude to life, and reactions to people, will help understand oneself better. With that understanding, change can happen.

It happens that lonely people do not want to pose a burden and therefore avoid reaching out to others. Anita shared that some traits of loneliness include apprehension to reach out because you are unsure about making the first move. She added that other mannerisms are “being more talkative when you meet people” or not wanting to “let people go when you finally meet them.” A lot of loneliness issues can lead to self-defeating behaviors, creating further anxiety.

How to cure loneliness? Find ways to connect in isolation

Experts believe that it is not the quantity but the quality of a social interaction that can combat loneliness.

Take small steps towards change. Something as simple as reaching out to another person with a smile can create a positive human connection. Even if it is someone you don’t know very well – your coffee server, the delivery guy, the guard, the lady at the supermarket checkout – even with your mask on, a smile is recognizable.

When you are stuck in isolation (physical and emotional) there are ways to reach out to people. Call up a friend, someone you trust, share your thoughts. For all you know your friend maybe experiencing similar lonely feelings, which is likely during this time in history. Another way is to connect with people online; through sharing you will notice you are not alone in your experience.

Very often, when we are feeling lonely, our self-talk becomes difficult to deal with. It reminds us of the negatives. Someone may have let you down in the past, or you faced rejection, the job may not be working out, and other spiralling thoughts can cause us to dwell. These kinds of thoughts affect our mindset.

Don’t ignore the sadness, but watch out for the negative thinking patterns. Another way to monitor your thoughts is to not compare yourself with others. Know that whatever highlight reels are revealed online, they are not the whole story. If you are prone to social media envy, do yourself a favour and stop scrolling. Keep your mind positively occupied. There is a popular online word game called Wordle; many variations of these game puzzles have come up that keep the mind busy in a neutral, light way. Create a vision board, journal your feelings, bake a cake, do something that keeps you mentally and physically moving.

A simple act of reaching out to someone can alleviate pangs of sadness. It may seem cliché to say that small acts of kindness can lead to happy hearts. For someone who is feeling alone, that small act could make a big difference.

Shobha Nihalani is a multi-genre author, ghost-writer, and mindset coach. She has been writing for over 25 years. Her recent book on self-esteem – Reboot, Reflect, Revive: Self-Esteem in a Selfie World – has become popular and is recognised for raising awareness on self-esteem.

Shobha believes that the way we communicate with ourselves, and others, has the power to impact our lives. Her expertise as a writing consultant and writer’s coach has given her the opportunity to guide people to acknowledge their own amazing potential to be unique, creative, and resilient in achieving their goals.

Learn more about Shobha Nihalani at www.shobhanihalani.com or contact her at shobhanovels@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Header image credits: Engin Akyurt via Unsplash

There is another factor about perfectionism we haven’t discussed: how when we have a constant need to perfect an activity, we also have the tendency to want to control the corresponding expectations of ‘right’ feelings. This week, the fourth and final edition of ‘Turn Critical To Compassionate’, we will dive into the value of the ‘wrong’ emotions: the negative ones.

Why suppressing negativity doesn’t work

We pursue goals and decisions with the hope that they will lead to success and happiness. At times, when the response to an outcome is disappointment, regret, or even anger, we struggle with these emotions and wish that we didn’t have to experience them. When we interpret our emotional pain as something to be controlled, we create more suffering.

For many, the marker for success in life is not wealth, but happiness. There is no shortage of experts who offer many optimum ways to develop a positive attitude and be happy with ourselves. Studies show how having a positive state of mind also ensures a healthy body.

But here lies the problem: when a negative thought or feeling creeps into our minds, we tend to quickly drown it out with an affirmation, a smile, and a ‘Oh no, I should not be feeling this way,’ statement. When we repeat ‘I am courageous and confident,’ it doesn’t necessarily alleviate the feelings of fear and anxiety. Research shows that repeating positive self-statements may benefit some people, but can have a detrimental effect on those who struggle with self-doubt and low self-esteem.

The taboo towards negativity in mindfulness culture

There is an unspoken trend that if we feel sad or disappointed or upset or angry, we have to attack those feelings and turn them around. We are told how we are supposed to feel. Experiencing a negative emotion is considered a weakness. It is almost taboo to reveal that you are harbouring negative feelings because people will judge you, and tell you to change. There’s so much pressure to feel good all the time.

When we avoid the feelings, what we are essentially doing is suppressing the negative, and allowing a bubbling lava of emotions to collect under the surface. This is counterproductive to our mental health.

Negative emotions signal work to be done

Is it okay to experience negative emotions? Absolutely. We cannot fragment parts of our undesirable selves just because they don’t work for us. We are a sum total of all our experiences, including the bad ones. Personal growth often comes from emotional pain. For example, when we feel guilt or regret for being rude to someone, we will learn to behave differently in future. Psychotherapists mention that when emotional pain is pushed away or unresolved, it grows and reveals itself in self-destructive ways.

Feelings come and go, they are ephemeral, they are like the tides. The best way is to observe them, not judge them. Therapists have shared countless studies on our emotions and how they affect us. It is true that it is unhealthy to ruminate and languish in a negative state of mind, however, the range of feelings, pleasant and unpleasant, are a natural part of life too. They teach us how to navigate through life experiences. When we listen to our emotions, we learn a lot about our inner landscape. We cannot just wish emotions away, or proverbially brush them under the carpet. Addressing them is key.

Sometimes emotions make us uncomfortable, and we want to avoid feeling the intensity of them because they hurt deep. We are taught to ‘get over it’ and bounce back to the routine of life. Everyone processes unresolved emotions differently. Everyone on the planet has experienced hurt from certain people or certain situations. At some point in life, you have felt anger, resentment, shame, regret, sadness, despair, or guilt. Some have experienced traumas that linger; many of these emotions are left untreated for years. Facing our emotions is necessary to let go, and to understand ourselves better.

Words have power; use them to identify feelings

All emotions have a purpose. There are moments when we notice the bubbling of them beneath the surface, but feel that words cannot describe those feelings. However, that’s exactly what needs to be done: describe the feelings in words. ‘I am feeling the sensation of terror, it feels like a weight on my chest, my shoulders are heavy…’ This gives you the ability to process them, and slowly as you understand why or what caused the feelings, they lose their grip on you.

Recognising emotional pain helps to release it. How? First, by accepting it exists, and facing it compassionately. No matter how many years pass by, memories can trigger emotions that have been stored, especially the ones that remain unresolved. If we can reframe these memories with compassion and forgiveness, we can look back with a sense of acceptance and allow ourselves to move on. Acceptance with compassion can transform those old feelings into new energy for leading a healthier, more fulfilling life.

If we can accept that life is all about balance, we can embrace the negatives to understand the contrast we experience with the positives.

A practical exercise to address pain

Right now, grab a pen, and write down what you feel internally. For example, choose one word to describe your state of mind. If it is ‘upset,’ what’s making you upset? Is it something someone said? What do you prefer had happened? Don’t be afraid to flow with whatever comes to mind, because the words are a form of clues to help you deal with the issues. Sometimes, just staying in touch with your feelings releases the tension. The next time you experience a feeling you don’t necessarily like, this practice can be a reminder to accept it rather than resist it.

Psychologist and Buddhist Meditation expert, Tara Brach, spoke some profound words about our emotions:

“Pain is not wrong. Reacting to pain as wrong initiates the trance of unworthiness. The moment we believe something is wrong, our world shrinks and we lose ourselves in the effort to combat the pain.” ― Tara Brach, “Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha”

 Read more advice from Shobha Nihalani on self-esteem 

Shobha Nihalani is a multi-genre author, ghost-writer, and mindset coach. She has been writing for over 25 years. Her recent book on self-esteem – Reboot, Reflect, Revive: Self-Esteem in a Selfie World – has become popular and is recognised for raising awareness on self-esteem.

Shobha believes that the way we communicate with ourselves, and others, has the power to impact our lives. Her expertise as a writing consultant and writer’s coach has given her the opportunity to guide people to acknowledge their own amazing potential to be unique, creative, and resilient in achieving their goals.

Learn more about Shobha Nihalani at www.shobhanihalani.com or contact her at shobhanovels@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Header image credits: axelbueckert via Canva

But very often, we start to overthink many of the available options, leading us into a loop of analysing all the ‘what if’ scenarios. We have many expectations of ourselves and we avoid taking action until we are clear on what we want to do. Indeed, we become perfectionists obsessed with the expected outcome.

What is perfectionism?

We live in a culture that expects us to be able to constantly do more with less time. We are almost encouraged to set unrealistic goals and expectations for ourselves. We want to be, look, and achieve the best. This leads to perfectionism, which is a mindset that we are defined by our ability to achieve near impossible goals.

In her book Better Than Perfect, Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, a psychologist, shares that not all aspects of perfectionism are bad. In fact, striving to be better, or pursuing a goal to develop ourselves is an important trait to be successful. But with perfectionism, she is quoted as saying ‘It’s either perfect or it’s a failure and if it’s a failure, then I’m a failure.’ Perfectionists have a black and white attitude towards any activity.

Perfectionism works against us

Many people want things to be perfect because they’re in a mindset of caring what other people will think of them. They feel there will be negative judgement if something isn’t up to a certain standard. This kind of expectation leads to an internal struggle. The constant pressure to be perfect is debilitating. Obsessing over details is draining and tedious, and it doesn’t help us accomplish much.

There are varying degrees of perfectionism. When being perfect is the top priority, there is often an inclination called self-handicapping, where a perfectionist may withdraw efforts needed for a goal. The idea is that the person may feel that there is a greater threat if one tries and fails than if one does not try.

The analysis paralysis mindset

Barry Schwartz, a psychologist, had a theory called the paradox of choice. In essence, he believed that a large assortment of choices leads to greater feelings of anxiety and indecision, dissatisfaction and paralysis. People are not able to make up their minds without overthinking things. The pressure to weigh every outcome results in analysis paralysis.

In every aspect of life, whether it is career, relationships, or even investment decisions, there is a tendency to overthink. Every single choice has its positives and negatives. It can be freeing to think about how there is no such thing as a perfect solution. Instead of striving for perfection, we can focus on activities that will bring the best results. When afflicted by this inability to make a decision, it is quite simply analysis paralysis. The paralysis part is overthinking, which means trying to look into a crystal ball to see the future. Trying to extract certainty in an environment of uncertainty. There is a sense of anxiety of ‘what if the decision is wrong.’

That’s why some people don’t take action: because they fear rejection and failure. The fact is that starting something new is going to be difficult, and there is a higher risk of mistakes. Unless that first step is taken, no one will know the possibilities that exist. It is best to jump in the deep end and then calibrate as you go along.

Being okay with making mistakes helps us to get comfortable with the process towards a goal. You learn as you do, not as you think. The point is to associate goals with process. Being outcome-oriented means relying on an uncertain future. Being process-oriented enables you to have control over your emotions, letting you focus on the step-by-step approach towards achieving your goal.

Analysis paralysis is really procrastination, that is putting off the inevitable. By putting it off you are trying to create some kind of ideal set-up that is actually all in the mind. It is not reality.

How to reframe perfectionism

Setting high standards and aiming for excellence can be positive. However, according to research, perfectionism becomes dysfunctional when it is highlighted by a person’s sense of self as permanently flawed or defective.

See mistakes as an opportunity

It’s harder to get things done when we have zero tolerance for mistakes. Rather than seeking perfectionism, imagine recognizing that mistakes are rarely terminal. Imagine accepting that we are bound to have flaws, and this is nothing to be ashamed of. Mistakes offer an opportunity to self-correct and move ahead.

Perfectionists have been around for millennia, but systematic research on perfectionism has increased in recent decades. Perfectionism refers to setting goals that are almost impossible. It becomes stressful when you cannot reach those arbitrary imaginary standards. The anxiety that perfectionism brings with it can get overwhelming.

Embrace fluidity

Rather than demanding we always be at one hundred percent, the best thing we can do is to embrace our fluid nature. There is no use in harshly berating ourselves for falling short of a target. Mistakes and failures are part of the learning process.

The willingness to try new things enables you to learn, adjust, and change. Eventually you start to improve. When you are in a perfectionist frame of mind, it becomes hard to even make that first move towards a goal. It becomes overthinking or obsessing and then a decision is never made.

There’s a quote that is relevant here: “If fear of failure is the mother of procrastination, then perfectionism is the father.”

Avoid projecting into the future

Eckart Tolle, a visionary and spiritual teacher, in his book The Power of Now says that you must think of overanalysis as an addiction. This is, in fact, true when you notice the similarity between the two. An addiction is a repetitive process that you can’t seem to stop that can have detrimental effects on your life. Analysis paralysis really fits that description. That’s why Tolle recommends controlled thinking, which is trying to stay in the present moment, and to avoid projecting out into the future which is beyond our capacity to control.

In short, to break the cycle of analysis paralysis and the perfectionist mindset:

• Create a deadline on making a decision.
• Take action. Doing something is better than doing nothing.
• Focus more on the journey, less on the goal.

 Read more advice from Shobha Nihalani on self-esteem 

Shobha Nihalani is a multi-genre author, ghost-writer, and mindset coach. She has been writing for over 25 years. Her recent book on self-esteem – Reboot, Reflect, Revive: Self-Esteem in a Selfie World – has become popular and is recognised for raising awareness on self-esteem.

Shobha believes that the way we communicate with ourselves, and others, has the power to impact our lives. Her expertise as a writing consultant and writer’s coach has given her the opportunity to guide people to acknowledge their own amazing potential to be unique, creative, and resilient in achieving their goals.

Learn more about Shobha Nihalani at www.shobhanihalani.com or contact her at shobhanovels@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Header image credits: Agus Prianto via Unsplash

When you interact with others, you perceive yourself in a certain way, sometimes undermining your self-worth. To better understand this, ask yourself these three questions.

• Do you regularly put other’s needs ahead of yours?
• Do you let others make decisions for you?
• Does external validation motivate you to do more?

If you answered ‘yes’ to two or more of these prompts, then it indicates that you are afraid of what people think of you or worry obsessively that they will not like you. You fear external disapproval, which leads you to bend backwards to comply to other’s needs.

What is self-worth?

You have heard a lot of ‘self’ words, and they all relate to a particular aspect of how we think, feel, and behave towards ourselves. Each of these words – esteem, confidence, respect, love, care, compassion – become uniquely related when ‘self’ is added as a prefix. Cultivating all of these self-related phrases helps us get a better sense of who we are and what we want from our lives. In other words, having an understanding of our own value.

According to psychologist Martin Covington’s self-worth theory, our self-worth is determined by how we perceive our abilities and performance in different areas of our lives, and relates to how valuable we feel. For example, when we look at ourselves in the mirror, if we are not happy with what we see in terms of weight, clothes, or the kind of attention we receive, then we tend to devalue ourselves. Similarly, how you relate to your career, social circle, and even your school grades, all tie in with how worthy you feel.

The fact is that you are the only one who decides how valuable you are. No one else decides this. It is as simple and as complicated as that.

Signs of low self-worth

Low self-worth is a belief, and when we believe that we carry no value, it makes us feel small and insignificant. According to therapists, low self-worth stems from unresolved past experiences and emotions. It becomes a behavior pattern when it becomes habitual. Some signs of low self-worth are:

1. Changing yourself for others
2. Seeking verbal approval constantly
3. Diminishing your own needs
4. Letting others take advantage of you
5. Being afraid to be yourself
6. Lack of desire to do self-love practices

We often tie our self-worth to our jobs or relationships. Very often, if our boss or partner is displeased, we strive harder to make them happy. This goes on day after day, and eventually our personal worth is tied to the happiness of the boss or a partner. The need for praise, validation, and approval triggers the people-pleaser to do more and more.

The problem with people-pleasing is that the response received defines the pleaser’s self-worth. Someone else is in control of how people-pleasers feel about themselves. And how they feel about themselves is that everyone else is better than them.

What is people-pleasing?

People-pleasing, which typically involves not asserting yourself, is hard to define. No doubt, the desire to make someone else happy is a positive quality; thinking about other people’s needs is altruistic. Having a charitable nature can be great, but there needs to be a balance. People-pleasers tend to go all out to be helpful to others, in many cases, while sacrificing their time and energy.

Why do we people-please?

Very often, we say ‘yes’ because we respect other’s seniority or simply don’t want to upset them. Saying ‘no’ or setting boundaries in a professional, or even personal, context can prove to be difficult for some. It may be motivated by a desire to impress others or by the fear of being negatively judged.

Researchers have found that fear of rejection or abandonment is the most likely driving force of people-pleasers. No matter what the reason, this behaviour pattern is all tied up with self-worth. Other people’s needs take precedence, and we forgo our own.

How does people-pleasing affect us?

This becomes the dynamic of the people-pleaser’s life. Every aspect of their joy and sadness revolves around another person. This can mean choosing to accept the role of a victim. Failing to set personal boundaries results in feelings of guilt when saying ‘no’, being burdened by endless to-do lists, or being constantly alert about what others think. It is difficult to stop being a people-pleaser when you have been doing it for years. There is a way to bring about change and that starts with valuing yourself.

Boundaries build self-value

Before you set boundaries, it is necessary to take ownership of your worth. This revolves around how you see, feel, and think about yourself and your abilities. Then set boundaries to honour your own values and priorities. Just like walls are built to ensure that no one infiltrates your personal space, similarly the demands of others need not interfere with your self-worth.

If you are uncomfortable or feel forced to do something you don’t want to do, simply say ‘no’. It’s possible to say ‘no’ firmly and with grace simultaneously. This will seem difficult at first, and you will feel a sense of guilt. Ride through it. When you see the benefits, you will notice an inner sense of satisfaction that starts to build around the statement, ‘I don’t need to be so nice all the time.’ Or ask yourself, ‘Am I behaving like a doormat?’ If yes, then you know you’re on the right track by refusing to do something you don’t want to.

There are times when you feel compelled to say ‘yes’ and that’s fine. Just ensure you strike a balance that includes respecting your needs. Make some me-time for yourself to reset and reflect on your values and beliefs.

Sometimes we are not sure how to respond to an ask. In such a situation, observe how you feel emotionally and physically when you are thinking of saying yes to someone. Checking in on your physiology will indicate what you need to do. Your feelings are a guide to what is important to you at that point in time. Having boundaries also means having the choice to say yes or no. Remember, when you say ‘no’ to others, you are saying ‘yes’ to yourself.

The work of asserting your self-worth

Awareness starts with recognising our value. As much as we want to put other people’s feelings, time, and money above ourselves because it feels safer, we need to assert the worth of our own existence. We are responsible for respecting our own dreams and goals.

It is important to find what makes us distinctive, what sets us apart, and to embrace our unique qualities as our guiding star. We need to be fearless in order to bring our true self out into the world. Being true to oneself will invite respect from others.

When we are resilient to value ourselves, we can plan our future as we see fit, free to write the story of our own lives. We will not expect anyone else to take care of our needs. We can choose to shift self-deprecating behaviours in the direction of self-development. The accumulated experiences of valuing our needs will lead to courage that helps us achieve our greatest potential without being burdened by external validation.

Many people spend their whole lives hungering for approval. As a result, they end up neglecting the opinion that matters the most: their opinion of themselves. 

“Never let others define who you are because most are still trying to figure out who they are.” — Rodney Walker

 Read more advice from Shobha Nihalani on self-esteem 

Shobha Nihalani is a multi-genre author, ghost-writer, and mindset coach. She has been writing for over 25 years. Her recent book on self-esteem – Reboot, Reflect, Revive: Self-Esteem in a Selfie World – has become popular and is recognised for raising awareness on self-esteem.

Shobha believes that the way we communicate with ourselves, and others, has the power to impact our lives. Her expertise as a writing consultant and writer’s coach has given her the opportunity to guide people to acknowledge their own amazing potential to be unique, creative, and resilient in achieving their goals.

Learn more about Shobha Nihalani at www.shobhanihalani.com or contact her at shobhanovels@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Header image credits: Isaiah Rustad via Unsplash

Note: At the time of writing, many of the online stores have sold out of their online stock, but the situation is changing rapidly and stock may become available online or in physical stores.

What to do if your test comes back positive?

Results from RATs are generally seen as preliminary as they are less accurate than PCR tests. If you test positive for Covid-19 and exhibit serious symptoms, the government recommends that instead of immediately going to a public hospital, you should contact Accident & Emergency services to undergo deep throat saliva testing.

If you test positive and exhibit mild or no symptoms, contact the Center for Health Protection (2477 2772), who may advise you to go for a supplementary test near your home or stay put and wait for further instruction.

Where to buy rapid COVID tests in Hong Kong?

Amazon

Brand: Various brands
Buy: Rapid antigen tests can be purchased online (different price ranges)

AquilaVIE

Brand: AQUILAVIE SARS-Cov-2 Ag Self-test
Buy: Purchase online, starting from HK$28 for an individual test to HK$468 for 25 tests

Bonjour

Brand: Testsealabs, Banitore, StrongStep, SaveWo, and more
Buy: Purchase online, starting from HK$18 for an individual test to HK$1,000 for 50 tests

Dr. Mask

Brand: INDICAID COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test
Buy: Order online, HK$3,000 for box of 25 (including referral for a free viral-RNA test if you test positive with the antigen kit)

HKTV Mall

Brand: INDICAID, Abbott Panbio, ABCDs, and more
Buy: Purchase online, starting from HK$63 for Aikang rapid test kit (1 test)

INDICAID

Brand: INDICAID COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test
Buy: Buy online starting from HK$120 for one kit or in-person at most Watsons locations and Central lab (Shop 3, G/F, Central 88, 88-98 Des Voeux Rd Central, Central

Labvy

Brand: GenBody Antigen Test Kit and PCR test
Buy: Purchase online, starting from HK$888 for same-day PCR test

Manning’s

Brand: Roche, INDICAID, Abbott Panbio, Arista, CO-Check
Buy: Purchase online or in-person at Manning’s locations around Hong Kong

Medifast

Brand: AESKU.RAPID, Abbott Panbio, and INDICAID
Buy: Purchase online, starting from HK$120 for INDICAID kit (1 test)

OT&P

Brand: AESKU.RAPID and Abbott Panbio
Buy: Purchase online, starting from HK$1,749 for AESKU.RAPID rapid antigen test (pack of 20)

ParknShop

Brand: Ojabio and Arista
Buy: Purchase online or in-person at Parknshop locations around Hong Kong

Project Screen by Prenetics

Brand: Prenetics RT-PCR COVID-19 Test
Buy: Purchase online, HK$390 or HK$490 with pick-up service

Synergy Medical Supply

Brand: Gline-2019-nCOV Ag Self-Test Kit
Buy: Purchase online, HK$575 for box of five

Watsons

Brand: Roche, Abbott Panbio, and Arista
Buy: Purchase online or in-person at Watsons locations around Hong Kong

Various small pharmacies

Besides these providers, many small pharmacies carry Rapid Antigen Testing kits, such as Famous Pharmacy Ltd. (信譽大藥房) in Kennedy Town. In Cantonese, you can ask for a “san gun fai yim faai chuk chak si tou jong” (新冠肺炎快速測試套裝).

More guides & news on the pandemic

Header image credits: Guido Hofmann via Unsplash

 Designed in collaboration with wellness industry professionals who have been involved in programmes at the AIA Vitality Park over the past four years, the classes at AIA Vitality Hub include a mix of traditional, modern and progressive activities that build skills, provide knowledge and benefit the mind and body. The focus of each offering is to educate, motivate and inspire people of all ages to enjoy active lifestyles and adopt healthy living habits. 

A Large Range Of Classes For All Ages And Levels

The programme at the AIA Vitality Hub provides high-quality activities and classes for all demographics and abilities, from children through to the elderly, from beginner through to the experienced. Designed and taught by some of Hong Kong’s leading wellness and fitness industry professionals, the scope of experiences on offer range from skill development such as building mobility and agility, to knowledge based classes on topics such as nutrition and sleep, and activities that support mindfulness such as Tai Chi and Yoga. 

To inspire health and wellness from a young age, there is a variety of classes for children aged 18 months through to their teens, from Rugbytots that teaches how to catch, pass, kick, run with the ball and play as part of a team, to KIDS Acro Yoga by MOVE Studio, and Brazilian Football Academy that teaches sportsmanship, discipline, leadership, teamwork and physical conditioning through the playing of football. 

To help adults make fitness part of their daily routine, there are classes that span multiple disciplines to ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy, like:

• The cardio focused Running Club led by Ultramarathon Runner and Coach Wong Chun Kiu.
• The FitCamp which is a high energy, full-body workout with Co-Founder of MiU Training Hub and Nike Trainer George Iu.
• A Capoeira workshop, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music, led by Hong Kong School of Capoeira.
• Or, lower intensity activities such as Zumba, Sunset Yoga and Fusion Fitness.

A purpose to help people live healthier, longer and better

In addition, the AIA Vitality Hub will generate both online and offline content for the education and advocacy of fitness, wellness and a healthy lifestyle, for people to access freely online when they desire.  Nutritionists and dietitians from PURE Nutrition will run regular Health Talks. 

“The launch of the AIA Vitality Hub demonstrates again AIA’s commitment to the community of Hong Kong and underlies our Purpose to help people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. We are excited by how the AIA Vitality Hub will be embraced by the public and enjoyed by all members of society as we help champion accessible health and wellness for all”, says Mr. Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer.

A monthly programme of special wellness events and classes will be updated regularly throughout the year and promoted mid-month in advance.

For the full December and January line up of classes and to book, visit the registration website. 

Image credit: Courtery of AIA Vitality Hub / Sinclair Communications

What if a sudden medical emergency arose or a surprise health diagnosis came out of nowhere? A critical illness insurance policy can be a lifesaver in those cases, as it can provide additional cover on top of your traditional health insurance.

What qualifies as a critical illness?

Critical illnesses are defined as long-term, severe conditions. There are three core conditions that the majority of critical illness policies cover: cancer, heart attack, and stroke.

Individual carriers may include additional health conditions through policy language.

Other critical illnesses and health conditions that are included in most Hong Kong critical illness policies are kidney failure, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, and major surgeries such as brain surgery and coronary artery bypass surgery.

When critical illness policies were first developed, they covered four common human conditions: heart attack, cancer, stroke, and coronary artery bypass surgery. Over time, the policy has expanded as medical conditions and treatments continue to evolve.

Each insurer may have different wording in their critical illness policy, meaning each policy may cover or exclude different conditions. One word of caution is that pre-existing medical conditions are not usually covered under a critical illness policy. Hence, discuss this with your agent if you are concerned.

What is the difference between health insurance and critical illness insurance?

Traditional health insurance is an essential type of coverage for those who don’t qualify for public health care as well as for those who prefer private health care, and has many differences from critical illness coverage. When you have traditional health insurance, it usually requires that claims are made for each hospitalization. Claims may be denied for treatment rendered without hospitalizations. If you are diagnosed with a critical illness, your health insurance policy may not cover specific treatment costs.

This is where a critical illness policy steps in to provide coverage where your traditional health insurance policy ends. Critical illness insurance provides you a lump-sum benefit when you meet the policy conditions. As a result, you are free to use this round sum to cover expenses related to your condition and treatment.

The flexibility afforded by a critical illness insurance policy is one primary reason to purchase it.

A traditional health insurance policy is indemnity-based, as it covers related treatment after it has taken place. However, the round sum provided by the critical illness policy is afforded once policy conditions are met, which is usually triggered by the diagnosis of a critical illness.

This means you have access to funds to use at your discretion when you need them most.

Is it necessary to have critical illness insurance in Hong Kong?

This type of insurance can make a substantial difference in your life, should you be diagnosed with a critical illness. This can happen to anyone at any age, and a surprise medical diagnosis or condition can significantly alter your life’s plans. Traditional health insurance is important, but it does leave a gap in your coverage that a critical illness policy can fill.

A critical illness insurance policy provides a lump-sum benefit you can use to cover all of the expenses you incur during treatment. This could include non-covered medical expenses. This means you can use it for non-medical costs such as transportation to appointments, additional living expenses due to loss of income during treatment, or your children’s school fees.

When you consider the expenses that can arise from a critical illness, you begin to see the importance of having a critical illness insurance policy. This coverage protects anyone and is an intelligent investment in protecting your future.

FAQs about critical illness insurance

About CCW

CCW is a reputable insurance broker located in Hong Kong. They can help you obtain free competitive quotes for your many insurance needs.

CCW makes it easy to view personalized comparisons from different companies to help you make the best choice.

More about insurances in Hong Kong:

• The 3 Main Types Of Insurance Companies In Hong Kong (And Their Pros & Cons)
• All You Need To Know About Business Insurances in Hong Kong
• All You Need To Know About Employee’s Compensation Insurance In Hong Kong
• Protect Your Business: 5 Must-Have Professional And Financial Insurances in Hong Kong
• Your Guide To Motor Insurances in Hong Kong
• All You Need To Know On Public Liability Insurance In Hong Kong
• Your Go-To Guide To Event Insurances In Hong Kong
• 3 Reasons To Get Insurance Before You Fly this Christmas
• Do I Need Health Insurance in Hong Kong?
• Home Insurance in Hong Kong: What you need to know
• The HK HUB Startup Insurance Guide