It can be easy to be consumed with online learning, especially if you are working towards a certificate or degree in your chosen occupation. But, it's essential to make time for self-care while you work towards your online education.
What is Self-Care?
The practices of self-care look different to each individual. It could be taking a bubble bath, and meditating, or going for a walk for someone else. It can be commonly overlooked when we are in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.
However, practicing self-care can help you become a better student when you are busy with your online school for healthcare.
Self-Care Tips for Working Toward an Online Education
Besides listening to your body and carving out time to practice self-care, below are more tips to help you pursue online education.
Get a Good Night Sleep
Getting a good amount of sleep is critical to your self-care and is very important for studying and working towards online education. Research has shown that you can take in information and improve your memory when you get enough sleep. If you have a deadline looming, or an exam in the future, you can be tempted to forgo sleep and cram in more study time, but sacrificing sleep can be detrimental to your health. The recommended hours of sleep from doctors is seven to nine hours.
Create a Study Space
it is necessary to have a comfortable study space when you are working towards online education. An area that is free of distractions helps with procrastination and focusing on your studies.
Healthy Eating
Healthy eating, a balanced diet, we hear about it all the time. Being aware of what your eating is essential. Certain foods can help with memory and the energy to study. Eating lots of fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water are vital to keeping your body and mind healthy. When you plan your week, prepare your food ahead, and have pre-cut fruits and vegetables in the fridge to make it easier to eat healthy when you are busy.
Journaling
Journaling can be a creative way to deal with thoughts floating around in your head, especially if you have excellent ideas for projects, etc. but don't know where to start. Perhaps you have tasks that keep popping up that need to be completed. Write them down that will help you see and prioritize. Journaling helps keep you organized and gives you a little peace that you don't forget anything. Writing down your thoughts can also help with relieving stress.
Get Exercise
Exercise can be a vital component of self-care and taking care of yourself. Exercise gets your endorphins flowing, and research has shown that exercising even 15 minutes a day can help diminish stress and help you be more productive. This helps with focusing, so you can work on getting your education online.
Make Sure You Plan
Studies show that it's hard to be productive without planning and daily routines. Make weekly or daily plans that help keep you on performance, and be sure to plan in time for studying. Many free apps and calendars can help you schedule your day or weeks appropriately.
Practice Relaxation
It can be easy to get carried away in learning and then look at a clock and realize hours have gone by and the day is gone. To get the most out of your self-care, you need to make time to relax and do activities that make you happy. Relaxation could be a bubble bath, or reading a book, or watching your favorite tv show. Make sure during your studies ensure you give yourself enough time to rest, so you can come back to your online learning feeling motivated and refreshed.
Build a Support System
Having a support system is always beneficial. It's good to talk to people who are dealing with the same tasks as you. Your support system could be other students or tutors, but you struggle with assignments or understanding concepts. It is good to have people to run ideas by and who can help you through tasks.
Take Your Eyes Off the Screen
The intensified use of laptops, computers, and mobile devices when completing your education online can be hard to limit. Taking a break from the screen, either looking away for a few minutes, getting up to get water, etc., lets your eyes adjust and gives them a break. A change of scenery or moving around can do wonders for clearing your head and helps with eye strain. Self-care is about resetting your mind and body so that you can go back to your online work with a new perspective and fresh eyes.
Final Thoughts
When you are completing your education through online courses, it is essential to remember to take time for yourself and practice self-care.
