January is a great time to set goals for the year and develop habits that will allow you to live a happier, healthier life. Taking steps to focus on your mental and physical health will help you in all areas of your life, including your education! It can be difficult to give your energy to school work when you’re feeling physically sick or mentally drained. Check out a few healthy habits you can implement in 2021:
Prioritize Sleep
Do you know how much sleep you should be getting every night? It differs in each age group, and sleep deprivation can have a negative impact on your productivity and energy levels. According to the National Sleep Foundation, ages 14-17 should be getting 8-10 hours of sleep a night, and ages 6-13 should get 9-11 hours of sleep each night. In addition to improving focus and energy throughout the day, getting enough sleep will also help with improving and maintaining muscle memory—which is a bonus for study sessions! If you have trouble falling asleep, try winding down an hour before you want to sleep by shutting down electronic devices and reading a book or journaling.
Move for 30 Minutes a Day
Being an online student means getting to complete classwork from the comfort of your bed, which is the best. But you can’t forget to get up every once in a while! Exercising for even 30 minutes a day can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health, and taking breaks can help you refocus on the task at hand. Check out a yoga workout on YouTube, start your day with a jog around your neighborhood, or take your dog on an extra-long walk to get your body moving.
Practice Gratitude
It’s no secret that the last several months have been challenging, and it can be easy to focus on the negative. However, dwelling on the things we can’t control can be daunting, not to mention detrimental to our mental health. One of the best healthy habits you can implement this year is practicing gratitude, which can be as easy as writing down what you’re grateful for every day or choosing a positive affirmation to be your daily mantra. Finding even a few positive things to give thanks for will keep you motivated and help you avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Get Organized
The easiest way to declutter your mind and space is to utilize organizational tools. Not only will you feel more productive, but you’ll also be able to make more time for yourself and the things you love to do. Start by getting a planner or downloading a planner app, such as Calendly or iStudiez, and use it to keep track of assignments, deadlines, and meetings. At the beginning of each week, write down everything that needs to be done and break it up into smaller goals that can be tackled each day. Completing bite-sized goals on a daily basis will help you avoid burnout and give you time to do other things, too!
Check out these other posts for other healthy habits and tools to add to your routine this year:
- 10 Healthy Habits for Back to School
- Time Management Tools and Tips for Online Students
- Learn the Power of Using Fitness, Food, and Education to Keep Your Mind Healthy
