A few days ago, I was asked to give a health talk to a group of parents and teachers addressing the challenges that students are facing during this Covid-19 pandemic. I am a recent medical school graduate who barely finished in time to avoid this new era of virtual education, so obviously I didn’t feel qualified enough to give advice. After much thought, I realized that the challenges remain the same however the stress of having to also cope with the unknown terror, COVID-19, made school more challenging.
Sudden transitions can cause more stress and anxiety, especially for students. For my own sanity, I found it helpful to maintain my daily routine. Here are a few things you can do to remain healthy as you prepare to ace the upcoming semester:
- Stay active – Since the gym and outdoor group sports were not the safest options for fitness, I had to be creative with my approach. My friends and I decided to use video sessions for virtual yoga and cardio workouts at a specific time at least 4 days per week. Having someone to hold you accountable for working out was good motivation. I also discovered that several physical trainers made their sessions available online. Otherwise, there’s always that good old neighborhood walk/jog, jump rope, home-made weights, and bicycle.
- Eat healthily – I will admit that at first, I fell into the trap of unhealthy eating. It’s Netflix, chill, and snacks, right? After a while, I noticed that my body weight started increasing and I decided to revert to a healthy diet which consisted mainly of home-cooked meals including lots of vegetables and fruits. Weekly meal prep also made cooking and creating grocery lists much easier. Side note: stay hydrated!
- Keep in touch with family and friends – If you live alone or in a dorm, it is easy to feel lonely after a few weeks of isolation. While introverts may bask in this glory, social butterflies find it extremely difficult to exist at this time. Take time to call or text family and friends. Play online games together, do a group movie, a special family dinner, or anything else that can count towards bonding time. If at any time you feel overwhelmed or depressed, you should reach out to your school counselors, primary care physician, religious leader, or someone you trust who will direct you to the appropriate resources for interventions tailored to meet your individual needs.
- Rediscover your hobbies and talents – For most of you, summer break was pretty much canceled. Yup, that flight, cruise, shopping spree, pool party, all canceled! On the bright side, you had more time to rediscover your hobbies and talents. So before this semester becomes a wild rollercoaster ride, you should end the summer on a high note. Read that book. Start that blog. Use the remaining ‘extra time’ to work on your projects. You can still salvage that ‘Hot Girl Summer’. What are you waiting for? Do it!
- Take advantage of free online resources – As we gravitate towards a virtual classroom setting during the pandemic, students who prefer face-to-face instruction have expressed their disdain. For some, it is harder to focus at home and the need for supplemental educational support arises. Several organizations have offered free educational resources including foreign language classes, medical science exams, health and technology courses, certifications, as well as tutoring. Take advantage of the opportunity to engage in a wide range of intellectual pursuits whilst at home.
This list is by no means exhaustive, however, rather than focusing on the devastating effects of COVID-19, I challenge you to channel your energy to do the things that are within your control at this time.
Stay focused and stay safe!
