9 Easy Tips to Master the Stress of Online Learning
Here we are again, diving into a new super busy online semester of never-ending readings, time-consuming assignments and lengthy (and slightly embarrassing) zoom meetings. Even though we all know this is the best way to protect our community, you might feel as I do, overwhelmed, stressed out and in desperate need to tackle some of that (in)famous Zoom fatigue.
So, without further ado, here are some quick and easy tips you can include in your daily routine to lighten your mood and brighten your day ☺.
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I like to start my day by taking some time for myself to just relax and practice some self-love (I know, cheesy right? But I swear, it works magic!); I love to do some face yoga, but simply massaging your face with some nourishing oil will do the trick!
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Make sure your ‘work from home’ setup is clean and tidy before you start your first meeting of the day.
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Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Remember to have some water, juice or tea around at all times!
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If you think your meeting or study sesh will glue you to your chair for longer than an hour, it’s good to have some snacks handy; my favorite are raw almonds, carrot sticks, a yogurt and granola combo or if you have time to make some before your meeting, these No Bake Energy Bites are *amazeballs* (forgive the pun ☺).
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Take frequent breaks! Every half hour or so, I switch my camera off for a minute to shake my legs and stretch my arms.
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When you have a tiny gap between your online commitments, do some stretching. I am a qualified yoga instructor and cannot stress enough how beneficial stretching is! You will not believe how great your spine and limbs will feel even after a 5-minute stretch on your chair. Follow this video for a short and sweet routine, it includes most of my favorite stretches!
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If you have more time in between meetings and the weather allows it, go out! Doesn’t matter if you go for a walk in your neighborhood, promenade down Jericho beach with your furry friends or venture into the woods of Burnaby Mountain, you will definitely need something to listen to. I try to go for a walk every day and enjoy listening to podcasts that are 30 minutes to an hour long. These are some of my favorites: Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe (Spotify). Hear former bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe talk about pop-culture, tell funny (and way too relatable) stories and give advice to every 20-something out there! For those who want to hear about how to be successful online (and possibly become a millionaire), listen to Jenna Kutcher’s podcast Goal Digger (Spotify). For all my crime junkies out there, Serial (Spotify) will keep you company (even as you enjoy your favorite Starbucks drink).
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Get comfortable! Afternoons in January can be quite gloomy, and sometime I want to feel warm and cozy, especially when I’m studying in my room alone. On top of some fluffy blankets and robes, I like to treat myself to some homemade dairy free Hot Cocoa!
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Light a candle or use a diffuser to create a relaxed atmosphere around you. My favorite candles are from Bath and Body Works (I love lavender, jasmine and chai) and they truly boost my energy and mood! For my diffuser, I prefer to use a mediation essential oil or anything that has to do with yoga. That helps me concentrate and unwrap at the same time (what we all want, am I right?); the ones I use are mostly from Saje, but you can also find some amazing scents (and prices) at Winners.
That’s it, beauties! One last piece of advice: be nice to yourselves! We are all struggling during this super chaotic time; it’s okay to take care of your physical and mental wellbeing and take a break from being hyper productive. Good luck this semester!