How To Balance Online Classes and Physical Wellbeing

Although online learning make it easier for work, home life, location, money, etc., there are some considerations to be made when sitting at your computer for extended periods of time. 

It is very common to experience headaches, strained/blurred vision, and poor posture when sitting in front of a computer screen all day. Poor posture can strain your spine and overstretch ligaments in your back, resulting in shoulder, neck, and back pain. In addition to this, research has shown prolonged sitting has been linked with obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and now liver disease. According to the American Heart Association, you should get up and be move around for about five minutes every hour.

Without jeopardizing your online courses, assignments, exams, and Zoom meetings, you can focus on being more physically active! Fortunately, online classes allow you to have the flexibility to add physical activity to your everyday routine. Exercising boosts blood circulation and oxygen flow and has so many benefits that help you in the workplace, such as increasing energy levels, productivity, and a sense of calmness. When you’re in one spot for an extended amount of time, it can be hard to focus on learning and lead to feeling fidgety. One simple solution is to take a short walk around your workspace or outside every so often to change up your surroundings and get moving. You could also switch to working standing up or replace your chair with a yoga ball. Not only do yoga balls relieve back pain and strengthen core muscles, but they improve your balance as well. If you’re more restricted, there are tons of exercises to try in one place! Here are some desk exercises to help keep you moving (for instructions click here)!

• Chair dips
• Strong arm pulses
• Desk push-ups
• Squats
• Lunges
• Core twists
• Shoulder rolls
• Wrist stretches
• Neck rolls
• Calf raises
• Jumping jacks

Whether you have to set a timer or leave yourself encouraging notes, dedicating time toward your physical health is extremely important. Set a goal and stick to it. Even the slightest adjustment to your daily exercise and stretches can go a long way and help motivate you to keep learning!