Mental well-being has always been a top priority for teachers, administrators, and everyone linked to education. But this is now more important than ever. More and more parents, as well as students, are opting for online studies. Online education entails several benefits, and the students want to avail of all of them. Another reason is that due to the pandemic, it is the only option left for them. If they do not want to lose their time and continue their academic grooming, they have to opt for online education. Previously, only universities offered online courses to their students, but now educational institutes are offering online classes to students as young as kindergarteners.
The one thing that is of utmost importance is the students’ mental health. Online classes mean spending a lot of time in front of the screen. It also means that the students will not have the social environment that they had during physical sessions. They had friends they could talk to and work with. They had teachers and professors who would be there to help them at any time. There were counselors present who they could speak to in any event.
This change has made mental health a top priority among experts. The increase in screen time and the reduction of social time has put a lot of pressure on kids. Although schools, colleges, and universities have put a lot of services online, mental health service is sadly not among them. A lot of educational institutions are lagging in this area. On the other hand, many universities like Bradley University and others have made it a priority to provide these services to their students. They know what online education is, what the consequences are, and how it should be provided.
What Can You Do?
As a student, you might feel stuck, but there are various things that you can do to get out of the situation. First of all, online education offers you a lot of flexibility. You can adjust your timings according to the way you like. There are also other things that you can do to make sure that you stay away from these issues.
Meditate
Meditation offers people a chance to relax, get away from their stressful routines, and focus on themselves. There are breathing techniques that you can follow. Find out the right spot and get comfortable. Fix a specific time for it so that it becomes a habit.
Get mindful
Many of us have a plethora of distractions around us that stop us from focusing on the task at hand. As time goes on and the deadline looms up, our levels of stress and anxiety shoot up. Doing mindfulness exercises can help you get rid of such distractions and focus on the task at hand. You can achieve a level of stability where you can control your thought process and focus on any current or future task.
Physical Care
This one is pretty obvious and cliché, but we are still going to mention it as pretty necessary. When we have a hectic lifestyle, the first thing that we usually start to ignore is our health. That is a huge mistake. Taking care of our bodies is imperative, no matter where you are or what you are doing. Exercise and keep a balanced diet so that your body does not give in to fatigue, stress, or other external factors. Take up any exercise and set aside time for it daily to develop a habit and get into a routine.
Rest
One of the most important things that keep mental health issues away and keeps you healthy is a good night’s sleep. Make sure that you get the required amount of sleep. Turn off all screens at least two hours before going to bed so that your mind can start the process of going to sleep. Calm yourself down and empty your mind as you lay down.
Socialize
One of the issues with online education is that it might cut you off from your social routines. Since you will always be spending your time in front of the screen, you might not have the energy to go outside. Take out some time for friends and family and interact with them regularly. It could be anything from going to a movie to just having a cup of coffee together.
Summing It Up
In the current world scenario, we have to cope with various issues at hand. Remember that you can only do so much in a day. Be realistic and prepare a plan for yourself to give the proper time to all your tasks. Take care of the things mentioned above, and you will be able to skirt all the mental health issues while continuing your online education smoothly.
