5 Ways to Stay Active While Learning from Home

By Martin Garcia

Like most students in 2020, you are probably sitting in your bed, half asleep with your camera shut off during your first Zoom class meeting of the day. I know first-hand. As a public relations student myself, I am already suffering from Zoom fatigue only six weeks into the semester. I constantly catch myself scanning through Twitter before redirecting my attention back to my computer screen to focus on the lecture. 

Believe it or not, Zoom fatigue is a real thing, and it is happening to more students than you might imagine. It’s particularly prevalent in journalism and public relations students, since our job is to be on social media most of the time. In this post, we will be looking at why it is important to stay active while doing school from home and I will provide you with eight suggestions for combating Zoom fatigue so that it does not interrupt your focus or affect your ability to learn.

Staying active does not necessarily mean exercising or working out. It simply means to not be stuck in one place for too long. Being sedentary can cause your brain to shut down, which then causes your concentration to be negatively affected.

Here are eight suggestions that will help keep you active while doing school from home.

1. Taking a walk
A stroll around your neighborhood is easily one of the best ways to keep your mind going as well as getting your heart rate up. Going outside and enjoying the fresh air will certainly help you combat Zoom fatigue, and you are getting a workout in at the same time.

2. Gardening 
Who doesn’t like eating organic fruits and vegetables? Gardening will shift your focus from the computer screen to a completely different environment. Instead of focusing on a screen, your mind will be focused on trying to grow the best carrots out there. Gardening is suggested because it allows the body, as well as the brain, to stay active.
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3. Swimming
If you have access to a swimming pool, swimming is a perfect getaway from the computer screen. According to swimming.org, swimming is one of the best forms of staying active in order to reduce stress. I don’t know of any college student that doesn’t suffer from stress. So if swimming helps, why not give it a go? 

4. Crafting
Whether it’s crocheting or scrapbooking, crafting is an awesome way to keep your mind active. Crafting is a perfect break in between classes that will not cause you to pick up your phone and scroll through social media for hours. Crafting helps keep your mind focused and will have you ready for your next class when the time comes without feeling fatigued from a screen. 

5. Cycling
Bike riding is fantastic way to stay active. Cycling is considered one the best forms of exercising, but it is also a fantastic stress reliever. Going out on a bike ride helps take your mind off of doing school work, all while keeping you active.

6. Dancing
You do not need to have any talent to stay active while dancing. Dancing is a great way to relieve stress and to keep your heart rate up. Not only is it a great workout, but it is fun and everyone can do it from the comfort of their home.

7. Photography
Shooting pictures can be very relaxing for many students. Why not take advantage and use photography as a way to stay active outdoors? Go outside and snap photos of birds, cars or the outdoors in general. It’s a great way to stay active and, for public relations and journalism students, photography is a great skillset to have.

8. Legos
I saved the best for last. Who doesn’t enjoy playing with Legos? Legos are a fantastic way to stay active while at home. They are entertaining and really make you focus on where to place certain pieces. Personally, Legos have helped me keep my mind active during the coronavirus pandemic.

During this unprecedented time, staying active has become increasingly difficult. It is very important for students to continue to look for ways to exercise their body and mind outside of the virtual classroom, because being on a computer all day while trying to learn is very difficult to do. Being active will help you stay alert in the Zoom classroom because it shifts your focus to something other than a screen during your non-class time. Not only will staying active help with your school work, but it will also help with your overall health. A healthy student is a confident student, which tends to lead to a successful individual.