AS THE school year was about to end early this year, Covid-19 began to affect the whole country, causing everyone to stay at home. To prevent further spreading of the virus, the authorities have decided to postpone all face-to-face classes for the upcoming school year 2020-2021, which led to online holding of classes.
We may have spent countless hours glued to our screens as we binge watch our favorite series, but with virtual classes we will be on our gadgets the whole time daily. Although staring at our screens for long cannot permanently damage our eyes, it can also cause discomfort, referred to as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). This is not a specific sickness for our eyes, but instead we experience uncomfortable symptoms such as dry and strained eyes, soreness of the eyes, blurred vision, and headache.
Back, neck, and shoulder pains can also be a symptom when we face our screens for an extended period and forget to maintain proper posture while working. Experiencing these things can make it burdensome to accomplish our tasks. With online classes, you might also feel overwhelmed and stressed about this learning method. To help with your online sessions here are a few things to remember doing during a virtual class:
1. Balance your schedule
During these times, it is vital that we take care of ourselves and maintain a healthy routine for online learning. Balancing screen time and doing other physical activities is one way to refrain from experiencing discomfort. Whether it be working out, doing simple stretches, or even going outside to water your mom's growing plant collection, it is important to engage in movement. Work during the given school hours and relax yourself every after class. Remember to work smart, not harder.
2. Hang out with friends and family
Everything is changing now, and you might feel overwhelmed or pressured. It is now the time that we take our mental health seriously. Interact with people! Hold a Zoom party with your friends or spend some time with your family. Tell them how you're feeling and the things that you have been doing lately. Connect with them and socialize so that you would not be cooped up with everything that is happening lately.
3. Take a chill pill
It's 2020 and now is the perfect time to apply the 20-20-20 rule! After 20 minutes of looking at your screen, stare at something 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. Trust me, your eyes will thank you for doing this! You can also look at anything that has soothing colors like green or blue. Give yourself a break and go outdoors! Look around your backyard or even at your mom's garden and give yourself a few minutes rest. When it's not too sunny, gaze upon the blue skies. Placing indoor plants nearby at your workspace can also help relax yours eyes. Not only are you taking care of your eyes, but you now also have a companion that can surely help with your studies.
Don't be afraid to take breaks. It is important that we rest our bodies and condition our minds. We might be overwhelmed with all that is happening now due to the pandemic but let us not forget our mental and physical health because in times like these. Now is the best time to stay healthy and take care of ourselves. (Alyna Mae D. Palacios/Multimedia Arts, Malayan Colleges Mindanao)