When you’re working or studying from home through online learning, it’s very important to get a routine going, to get your body into the kind of structure that a work or school day would usually provide. And the start of a routine is easily the most important part. Forbes, the Next Web, and ValuED all have tips on how to start your study-from-home day off right. Here’s one way that a good morning at home can start.
1. Get up at the same time each day
Unless it’s the weekend, of course. It doesn’t have to be extremely early, just at a time you can reasonably accomplish. The important thing is to get yourself in a regular routine, so your body can figure out its sleep rhythms.
2. Avoid screens
After you wake up, do not check your phone, your email, social media or anything on your computer. Starting the day with a bright screen is something almost half of Americans do when really, you need to ease your way into the day. Especially right now, starting with the news isn’t what you need, and can make you begin the day with a bad mood. Meanwhile, looking at your work first thing will just make you stressed.
3. Eat and drink something good for you
Have breakfast once you’re up, and when you do, be sure to drink some water. Going hours without hydrating can leave you in a bad state, and hydrating yourself at the start of the morning helps you start things off on the right foot, on top of actually helping you burn a couple of extra calories. Most people aren’t hydrated enough, and dehydration leads to a bad memory, tiredness and irritability. Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast, too, because chocolate, chips and salt is bad for both your mind and body. Also, when it comes to coffee, the best time to drink it is between 10 am and 5 pm. Early in the morning, your body naturally tries to wake you up, so you don’t need it yet, and it can actually cause problems if you’re too dependent on an early-morning jolt.
4. Make yourself clean and presentable
This is super, super important. Get out of your pyjamas, brush your teeth, take a shower if you have the time or at least wash-up, and get some proper clothes on. It’ll reset your brain and get you ready for the working day. You don’t have to wear professional clothes, just something you’d be fine being seen in public with. In particular, take off those pyjama pants and put on some jeans, or even just some clean sweatpants.
5. Take some time to plan stuff out
Don’t just jump right into studying or working once you’re cleaned up. Take a bit of time to figure out what you’re doing, so you can work smarter, not harder. Figure out your school hours for the day (something that you decide), and what you’re going to do during those hours, and make a to-do list that’s no longer than five items. That being said, don’t get stressed if you don’t knock everything off of your to-do list, since these are strange times, and nothing and no one is operating at 100 per cent capacity. If you get just three things done, you can feel accomplished. Also, be sure to take the time to schedule some breaks for food, walking outside or anything else that’ll maintain your mental and physical health.
6. Cue up some audio
Whether it’s a podcast or some tunes you enjoy, get something nice to listen to cued up on your speakers or headphones before you get started. It’ll put you in a good mood, and give you something else to look forward to as you get ready to face the day.
Written by: Anthony Geremia