April 7, 2020 | Online

While studying and attending classes from home may seem easier than getting dressed, packing your lunch and schoolbag, and catching a bus, you also need to account for much less physical walking each day. As the square-footage of any home is far less than the steps you would take to get to school, and then travel around the campus, you need to find other ways to ensure you’re getting your heart rate up.

Also, with easy access to the fridge, you need to ensure that you’re maintaining healthy eating habits. See our recommendations below on how you can maintain a healthy studying routine at home.

Get up often

Set an alarm on your phone as a reminder to get up and stretch every hour. This will be crucial for making sure your muscles don’t get stiff. Also, try to walk around the house while you read your study cards or notes. If you need to stay seated during certain times of the day – such as a zoom class or conference call – you can also practice leg lifts, knee lifts, toe curls, and much more from your chair.

Thoughtful positioning of your study space

It’s important to note the efficiency of your workspace. Ensuring that your studying location is distant enough from the kitchen – so you’re checking out the fridge constantly – but also one that is not positioned to close to the TV, as this allows for easy distraction. An ideal study space would allow some natural light, a proper ergonomic desk chair, and a space that isn’t used for other activities such as arts and crafts or activities you do on your leisure time.

Make healthy snacks

It’s easy to grab the chips or instant noodles from the pantry, but it’s not the best choice for maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. When you’re hungry, try to go for options such as carrots and hummus, no-sugar applesauce, dried fruit, mixed nuts, and more. See Canada’s Food Guide for more healthy snack options.

Plan a mid-day workout

The best way to stay focused is to have a routine. Know that every day at [insert time here] you have to complete a full, daily workout before you get back to the books. Whether it’s an online abs and core tutorial, a yoga class, a walk around the neighbourhood, or a short bike ride, make it an activity that you can stick to every day. Studies have shown that individuals should partake in a minimum of 150 minutes of vigorous exercise each week to maintain a well-balanced lifestyle. If you can aim for 30 minutes a day, you’ll be in much better shape than the current recommendation for all Canadians.