Doing well in school can give you a sense of ease, accomplishment, and confidence about your future. However, studying is stressful, and student stress statistics show that 45% of American college students claimed to undergo “more than average stress,” 33% reported “average stress,” and 12.7% experienced “tremendous stress.” This is why, to study effectively and in a healthy manner, it’s best to practice self-care and prioritize physical and mental well-being. While the stress of passing exams will always be there, students can help themselves by keeping a clear head and ensuring their academics don’t interfere with their physical wellness. If you’re curious about improving your health while studying, here are some Healthy habits you should incorporate into your routine.
5 Healthy Habits
Table of Contents
Eat healthy meals
Although studying can take up most of your time, you mustn’t ignore your body’s needs. Of course, this involves eating healthily to support your studies. When your body and brain receive the proper nutrients, it helps them function better by improving your focus, boosting your thinking ability, and helping you absorb information.
Besides, your hunger would only become a distraction when trying to study. On that note, try eating nutritious meals that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein sources, and healthy fats. Some staple foods known to enhance brain function and reduce cognitive decline are fish and eggs because of their omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins, respectively. If you’re too lazy to make healthy meals while studying, you can prep them in the morning or the night before. A few easy meals are sandwiches and salads that you can store in the fridge, which you can easily get during your study session.
Protect your eyes
Today, most academic tasks, like researching or writing a paper, require using computers and other mobile devices. Unfortunately, the screens from these devices emit blue light, which disrupts sleep patterns and causes digital eye strain, age-related macular degeneration, and other eye conditions in the long term.
So when studying, don’t keep your screen too bright and try to look away from your screen every few minutes to give them a break. You should also look into wearing blue light glasses, which absorb specific light frequencies and prevent them from reaching your eyes. They’re especially useful for studying in the evening before bed, as it helps maintain your natural sleep cycle and reduces digital eye strain. They can be worn all day, too—even in school. And you don’t have to sacrifice your style by wearing them, either. Top brands like Ray-Ban, Burberry, and Oakley all offer them for trendy frames. All these tips can help protect your eyes if you need to study for long periods.
Invest in ergonomic equipment
In addition to using screens for long periods, much of your school work will require you to sit for long periods. However, this can cause you to experience neck and back pain, as well as sore wrists and shoulders over time. To avoid these symptoms, integrate ergonomics—the science of comfort—into your workspace. For example, make sure your computer screen is at eye level with the help of a monitor or laptop stand. Keep your wrists in a natural position by making sure it’s at the same level as the back of your hand and not your keyboard, which you can do with a wrist rest.
However, it’s arguably best to start by investing in an ergonomic chair that supports your spine, allows your feet to rest flat on the floor, and lets your elbows be close to your body so your shoulders are relaxed. Try the ergonomic chairs from Hyken if you want something affordable. If you want something highly adjustable, Branch’s ergonomic chairs make models suitable for everyone. With a study area that supports good posture, you can study without the body pains that often come about by sitting for a long time.
Clear your schedule
Less obvious than the above two points is clearing your schedule. A top study secret is that studying is best done when you’re relaxed and not distracted by other responsibilities. If you’re unfocused or anxious because you have tasks pending, it may prolong the time you spend on schoolwork. As a result, you may sacrifice other facets of your health, like exercising, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, or spending time with friends and family. That said, try not to overcommit when the semester is ongoing.
If you anticipate that your study schedule will get busy, try to get more manageable tasks out of the way before the rush comes. This can help you focus on your schoolwork effectively, and you know you can get some well-deserved downtime once you’re done.
Take necessary breaks
While it’s commendable to stay focused on studying, it’s just as crucial for you to take breaks. Studying for hours will eventually burn you out, making you too stressed and tired to finish your remaining tasks or even remember what you learned. You can prevent this by taking 10- to 20-minute breaks to eat, stretch, or simply do nothing for every 50-90 minutes of studying.
Doing so helps maintain your productivity, focus, and motivation, allowing you to make the most out of your study sessions. If you’re not used to taking breaks, try the time-blocking method. This time management method encourages you to reserve a particular block of time for specific tasks. For instance, you can schedule a study session from 9-11 AM, with a break from 11-11:45 AM. This keeps you accountable as you balance resting and studying, a healthy habit that all students should practice.
Studying can be tiring. When done improperly, it can lead to stress and physical pain. By incorporating these healthy habits into your routine, you can learn more effectively while caring for your well-being.
