It has been a strange year. Yet, finally after a long period of uncertainty we are returning to a bit of normalcy with the beginning of the new school term. Well, the new normalcy at least. As we try to navigate the circumstance of this pandemic, it is easy to fall into a rut, especially with the added responsibility of online school. The new school term begins this week and like everything else in 2020, is uncharted territory. This has caused the uneasiness of parents, teachers and students alike. After being under strict stay at home guidelines for months, mental health and well-being is likely to be low. With the added stress of school it may become difficult to navigate working and while none of us know exactly what to expect, here are some tips that can assist any online student from preschool to PhD.
· Invest in a pair of blue light glasses or blue light lens coating for your corrective lenses. According to an article published by Harvard University, blue light from computer and phone screens can impact your circadian rhythm and suppress melatonin. Ordinary light can keep you awake, but blue light does this at heightened levels. With prolonged use of smart devices, it is highly recommended to use blue light blockers or filters to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of these lights and thus maintain healthy sleep schedules.
· Take care of your health. The WHO defines health as a state of mental and physical well-being, not simply a lack of infirmity. It is essential to look after your all-round health during this trying time in order to stay focused and productive for school. Eating well, exercising, relaxing and sleeping sufficiently should be your priority, before attempting to focus on work. Your body should be adequately rested and fueled in order to perform perfectly. As students we often glamorize running on empty, but while everything else is difficult I think we can afford to care for ourselves this semester.
· Go outside. While sunlight may not kill the virus, the lack of vitamin D can significantly impact your immune system, bone health and more. Additionally, a lack of sunlight and time outdoors can also affect your mood. According to the NHS the stay at home order has significantly reduced time spent outdoors and by extension the absorption of vitamin D. Ordinarily lunchtimes would be spent playing football or walking through the green spaces on campus. While we don’t have this, spending time outside during or in between classes can give a much needed reprieve from being stuck at home and also improve your general health. Take advantage of our beautiful tropical weather and take a walk or laze under a mango tree.
· Stay connected. Its easy to feel isolated in an online class especially in lectures with minimal interactions. This often leads to anxiety about answering questions in class or difficulty with missing notes and deadlines. Maintaining or building friendships in your class can provide the much needed support to make it through the semester. We’ve grown accustomed to having friends to run a game of fours during break, study with, or even remind us of deadlines. It is more difficult but not impossible to create that same circle of reassurance virtually.
· Remember the difference your actions make. Its hard being at home for this extended period of time. Your school years are meant to be your most carefree time of growth and self discovery but we are currently deprived of this experience. While disadvantaged, it is important to remember our individual role in this situation. We all have a responsibility to protect one another. As an empath myself it’s difficult to sit at home and do nothing while others are out on the frontlines fighting this deadly virus. But the best thing we can do to assist is follow guidelines and stay at home. While we are bored, we are significantly reducing the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems and protecting our loved ones by preventing further spread.
In addition, by staying home we are further reducing our carbon footprints. While the whole “we are the virus” thing has been played out and is, quite frankly annoying, we have significantly reduced our carbon emissions this year. The view that our constant activity negatively affected the Earth and acted as a literal pandemic, may be true. According to the International Energy Agency, up to 6% reduction in energy consumption is expected for the year 2020, the biggest reduction in the past few decades. We are constantly struck with the negativity of our living situation and the global devastation caused by the virus, but some perspective is necessary. Your personal actions can keep yourself, others and the planet safer even if it means you don’t get that perfect university experience or to bond with your secondary school friends everyday. Our temporary sacrifices can make the world of difference.
The new school term always holds a lot of promise. Let us go into this one with the hope of learning, productivity and most importantly safety in the face of these unprecedented events.
Sources
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-08-vitamin-d-sun.html