Following The Promise Not To Hold The Face Is Difficult To Do

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Since the spread of the corona virus or COVID-19, a number of health authorities in various countries have stated that the virus can be avoided by diligently washing hands and not touching the face, especially the eye, nose and mouth area.

Friday, March 6, the VOI team tried to look around us, is it true that the suggestion not to hold one's face can be that easy to follow? In fact, no. This afternoon, we sat at a coffee shop in the Tebet area, South Jakarta and apparently, for 1.5 hours we sat there and watched the movements of everyone around us, most of them often touching their faces after doing their activities.

A man who sat in the corner of the coffee shop, seemed to wipe his nose after he pressed a button on his laptop keyboard.

Then, at the front table where we were sitting, a woman appeared to wipe her eyes after opening her glasses. At the table to my left, a man, whom we later found out named Dito, 26 years old, looks wiped all parts of his face after opening his glasses.

Briefly, we asked Dito whether he knew about the recommendation not to hold his face to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

This freelance worker admits that he knows this recommendation. But the movement of rubbing that part of the face is a reflex that he often does.

"Yes, that was just a reflex. When asked, I don't know why," he told us.

Not only Dito, we throw questions as a small survey in a WhatsApp group. The question is simple, 'Among the advice to be diligent in washing your hands and not touching your face to avoid the spread of the corona virus, which one is the most difficult?'

Of the 10 people in the group, 6 of them said not touching their face was the most difficult thing to do. The reasons are various, ranging from an itchy nose, itchy eyes but whatever the cause, or having to hold your face due to sagging glasses.

So what are the things that make the recommendation not to touch the face difficult to do? Psychologist Sani Budiantini answered it. He said, holding the face, especially rubbing the nose or eyes, is a habit that is often done unconsciously. So, it is not an easy matter to change or control these habits.

"So if it's a matter of habit. So it's a bit difficult if the change is fast. ... It takes time (to carry out the recommendation)," said Sani when contacted by VOI, Friday, March 6.

In addition, he also said, movements of rubbing the face or touching the face such as the nose or eyes can also be triggered by seeing other people. Cases like this also happen a lot, for example when you see someone yawning, there will be the same urge to yawn.

"Yes, there are others like that but it is much more difficult if it is a habit within us. So there are people who are on reflex seeing other people doing this but there are people who don't need to look at people because they are used to it (holding the face) "he explained.

An article from Business Insider also stated the same thing as Sani's. According to psychologist and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety Disorders, United States, Kevin Chapman, the tendency for people to touch their faces is due to a very human habit.

Because touching the face, actually without realizing it indicates someone is feeling the signal of the presence of people around him.

"Public awareness generally refers to our self-awareness because it is reflected in others who are often triggered during social interactions," Chapman said.

"Naturally, people pay attention to other people's faces and are sensitive to people's facial cues, so touching the face is arguably part of a natural habit like that."

Illustration (Unsplash)

Don't force yourself not to touch your face

In an effort to reduce touching your face, Chapman says pushing yourself too hard not to touch your face at all doesn't help because it makes your mind feel stifled.

He suggests taking a more flexible approach, such as by doing self-talking or talking to yourself to give suggestions.

According to him instead of saying 'I'm not going to touch my face at all in public today' it's better to say 'I need to be more aware when I touch my own face today'.

In addition, Chapman also gave tips so that people can reduce touching their faces. You do this, by creating a reminder on your cell phone to remind people to be aware of touching the face.

"Changing habits is of course possible. It certainly takes practice in order to reprogram someone's habits," he explained.

Not only that, there are other tricks to reduce the tendency to touch your face by playing a stress ball or crossing your arms, so your hands are not free to touch your face.