Since April 2021, Vietnam has undergone a nationwide lockdown because of the new wave of COVID - 19 cases. Schools across the country are closed for in-person learning to prevent contagious diseases from spreading. Students have to adapt to the new way of living every day through quarantine and social distancing. It is no doubt that mental health may impact teenagers during this stressful time. “But the impact has been especially severe on teenagers, who rely on their friends to navigate the maze and pressures of high school life.” the New York Times.
As mental health is crucial to help students perform well academically and socially, there are numerous ways to help maintain well-being during lockdowns. Here are some tips for excellent mental health during Covid-19 for students.
Take care of yourself physically.
Physical health plays a vital role in impacting our mental health. We should take care of our body by eating more healthy meals with various nutrients, getting enough sleep, and moving the body. Paying attention to your body will help boost your immunity and resilience.
2. Find ways to connect.
Although Covid -19 restrictions make it challenging to meet your friends and family in person, we can still seek others ways to stay connected. Online applications such as Skype, What’s App, Zoom, or Snapchat are accessible to all users worldwide to keep communication open. Reconnecting and rekindling all your meaningful relationships are incredibly precious during this time.
3. Learn new skills
Staying at home with more flexible schedules makes it easier for us to add new activities and hobbies to our timetable. Try to learn new instruments or new languages and allow yourself to embrace experience beyond what you have previously done.
4. Form good habits
Before Covid-19, everything seems to be going at a swift pace. However, as people work remotely at home, there is more spare time to connect with themselves. You should make wise use of time to reorganize your study space and set up folders to stay motivated for school. Social media and technology might be at your fingertips, which means that you should try to limit screen time as much as possible. Sometimes, the news from the media may be harmful and could possibly determine your mood for the entire day; therefore, paying attention to what information you are perceiving is essential. Other good habits include meditation and reading; these two are crucial to nurture your knowledge and help you stay grounded despite the pressure from school.
5. Build Knowledge
Podcast listening is a valuable activity that helps young adults have easy access to eye-opening educational lectures and always be motivated to continually develop themselves. There are numerous podcasts that you can listen to through technological devices, where they can effectively help you feel uplifted and inspired. Some of the top pick podcasts are Happy Place (Fearne Cotton), Mental (Bobby Temps), and Expanded (Lacy Phillips).
Although the current pandemic can be very stressful for many students, we should know how to take care of ourselves mentally to always stay positive and happy. Since December of 2021, the Covid-19 lockdowns have been ameliorated as traveling restrictions and social gathering policies have eased. All citizens are starting to adapt to the new lifestyle amid the worldwide pandemic.
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