he global pandemic has forced schools to close down their campuses temporarily and hold classes online. Students will have to attend classes, work on assignments and submit the required paperwork at home.
Although online learning provides benefits and convenience for students, it does pose challenges for those who aren’t ready for this setup. Students may be tempted to let healthy habits slide, especially they’re busy trying to get a lot of work done at home.
If you’re attending classes remotely, you should make your health a priority. Staying physically and mentally fit will allow you to achieve your education goals and be a productive student in your online classes and at home.
Here are seven wellness tips to keep your mind and body healthy:
Keep Your Workspace Tidy and Clean
Even though you’re doing your exams, homework and projects from the comfort of your house, you should still keep your desk clean just like you would in class. This means getting rid of clutter and cleaning the items you frequently touch, such as the keyboard and mouse.
Get Enough Sleep
Your body requires adequate sleep to function properly. The number of sleep hours will depend on how old you are. Online middle schoolstudents, for instance, should get about 10 to 11 hours of sleep. Those in college must get seven to nine hours of shut-eye.
If you’re preparing for a major exam, such as mid-terms and finals, you’ll need to have a good night’s rest. The last thing you want to happen is to nod off while trying to answer the test questions in front of you.
Maintain a Good Posture
When you’re attending online classes, avoid slouching or lying down in bed. Sit properly by keeping your feet flat on the floor and back straight. Use post-it notes or smartphone alarms to remind yourself to fix and maintain proper posture.
Exercise
Staying physically active can be a challenge. Oftentimes, students are too tired, busy or unmotivated to pursue intense workouts.
The good news is that you can integrate physical activity seamlessly into your remote learning life. One of the easiest and most accessible forms of exercise you could do is walk inside your home (or in your neighborhood if possible).
Don’t be afraid to start small when you’re having a hard time following an effective workout regimen. You could begin by walking around your living room or strolling through various areas of your home. During weekends, allot time to jog in your neighborhood or take a morning stroll before starting your homework or projects.
These brief but meaningful walking sessions add up and help you stay active. If you’re looking for additional motivation, use a step-counting app like Fitbit to track your activity. Try to hit 10,000 steps a day. If you can’t do that right now, start with 1,000 steps. Then, gradually increase that goal until you reach 10,000 steps.
Take Regular Breaks
Whether you’re studying, working on a project or running errands for your family, you need to hit that reset button. Taking a break relieves stress and enables you to focus better on your school-related tasks.
Follow a Healthy Diet
Studying for extended periods and finishing your projects at the last minute can take a toll on your physical health. These activities could also mess with your eating schedule. So make the conscious decision to eat a balanced diet at home.
You could start by avoiding processed foods. The cookies, potato chips and energy bars you typically find in a convenience store include artificial flavoring, preservatives and other unsavory ingredients that could undermine your health. Although they can satisfy your hunger, they don’t offer the nutrients your body needs.
Apart from processed food, avoid consuming fast food. Menu items from popular fast food outlets, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and sundae, are loaded with fat, salt and sugar.
Rather than eat processed or fast food, take the time to buy fresh and healthy food from your local supermarket or grocery store. Stocking your home with fruits, veggies and other healthy items will help boost your immune system and give you the energy you need to get more work done.
Stay in Touch with Your Friends and Teachers
Learning at home can get lonely. So make sure you stay connected with your fellow students and professors in your online classes. A few activities you could do include:
- Participating actively in online class discussions
- E-mailing your instructor about the lesson
- Using teleconferencing apps, such as Zoom, Skype and Facebook Messenger, for face-to-face conversations
Take note of these seven suggestions to stay healthy and happy at home. Developing the right habits may look like hard work at first, but they play an important role in self-care. The small but significant changes you make in your life will help you stay physically and mentally fit during these times of uncertainty.
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