How You Can Stay Happy and Healthy While Studying at Home

Sponsored by EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey

For the next few months at least, studying and working from home is the ‘new normal’ for many of us around the world.

The idea of rolling out of bed and moving onto the couch to study in your pyjamas may have once sounded like a real dream come true. But in reality, the novelty will soon wear off (if it hasn’t already) as you realize you’re getting through more Netflix series than you are assignments and lecture notes.

We’ve teamed up with EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey to come up with a few tips to help you stay happy, healthy (and productive) while studying at home.

Routine = key

Establishing a routine and creating a study plan (as if you were still going to class) is a great way to maintain a sense of normality. If you like the idea of a to-do list for each day, use the rule of three and when you’re done, treat yourself! It’s important you manage your expectations and don’t set the bar too high.

Have a designated study space where you can keep your laptop, notepads and books along with any other bits and pieces you might need to help set the scene, as well as keep you motivated and on track. And while some people love working in silence, for others it’s more of a deafening silence. Try putting some ambient music on as gentle background noise.

Defining boundaries with your family and friends is also important. Let them know your study schedule so they know not to distract you. Remember to give your eyes (and your brain) regular breaks throughout the day. Reducing screen time will help reduce eye strain, fatigue, headaches and disturbed sleep patterns. Speaking of which…

Get a restful night’s sleep

Easier said than done, we know! Research suggests young adults (18-25 years) should aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. Getting into a ‘bed time’ routine may sound like something for your younger self, but it can really help when it comes to catching up on your zzz’s.

Stay connected

It’s a strange feeling going from seeing your classmates and professors on a daily basis around campus, to not seeing them at all. But they’re still around – so don’t hesitate to reach out if you feel like you need to (or just want to say hi!). The same goes for your university’s support services.

Around the world, schools and universities have reacted promptly to the Covid-19 pandemic. EGADE Business School in Monterrey, Mexico has launched its own ‘Alternative Learning’ platform for students who want to continue their learning development through various resources and facilities. The school has also created a designated Q&A webpage for students who want to stay up-to-date with current events.

Drop your classmates a message if you need to talk about an assignment or exam you’re studying for. Or go one better and organize a virtual study session for a group of you – Zoom and Microsoft Teams are great for this. Even if the study session turns into a catch-up, it’s nice to hear a familiar voice and see a familiar face every now and again too.

Don’t underestimate the power of healthy eating

Why does it always seem easier to finish a family-sized packet of chips than it does to eat an apple and an orange? Planning your meals ahead of time is useful and means you have more time to yourself during your study breaks.

Get up and move about

For now, we’re pretty limited with what exercises we can do without leaving our houses. A HIIT workout can be a great way to kickstart your day and help clear your mind for the day ahead, while activities such as yoga and meditation can help you wind down after a long day of studying.

At EGADE, students have access to a wide range of resources to help support them with their health – both physically and mentally.

If you’re in need of some workout inspiration, social media and YouTube are full of fun and exciting exercise videos.

Limit your time on social media – especially news websites and apps

It’s important to remember that when we talk about the importance of staying healthy we mean physically and mentally. So while it’s great that we can stay connected with our family and friends wherever they are, 24/7 access to social media can end up causing more harm to our mental health than good.

Limit your time on news websites and apps – or delete them entirely if you feel like you need to. If you do keep them, there are many positive social media accounts out there to follow that can fill your feed with more positive images and posts.

Tap into your creative mindset and have a side project on the go

Why not use this time to try something new? Or, if you’d rather get stuck into a new drama or comedy series on Netflix, then go for it! Do whatever you find relaxing for some time out in between periods of study. Here are some things we think you might want to try (even if it is just once):

• Painting and coloring by numbers books
• Crochet kits
• Learn a new language – DuoLingo is a great app that can help get you started (it’s also free!)
• Baking
• Puzzles
• Even cleaning!

Students who want to brush up on their skillsets and try their hands at learning a new subject will soon have access to LinkedIn Learning as well as a unique, open-source platform called EGADE Capsules where they have access to 80 ‘crash course’ videos led by industry-expert faculty members in subjects such as communication, finance, marketing, and business.

The school is also offering free courses for parents, spouses as well as students to help enhance their skillsets.

It’s all about the little victories that can help make for a feel good day.