Wake up, go to class, eat, do homework, scroll on your phone, sleep, repeat. This is a seemingly endless cycle of events that many students have fallen into while stuck learning online. It can cause a loss in motivation and make many days feel meaningless and boring. There are plenty of ways to add some color to these online days, though, and the Seattle Prep Counselors have lots of tips on how to keep the mind, body, and heart happy and healthy.

Keeping Physical Wellness Up

• Between classes, keep moving. When students must sit down during class, keeping their bodies in motion throughout the day is extremely important.
• Make a workout plan. Planning a certain time to do a physical activity and doing it with someone else, like a sibling, will encourage students to follow through with it.
• Get a full night’s sleep. It is so easy to stray off a sleep schedule right now, but it is an extremely important aspect to physical and mental health. At least 8 hours of sleep a day will leave teens much more energized.

Emotional Wellness/Stress

• Self-reflect. If a student finds themselves being often stressed or angry or sad, they should come to terms with that emotion and then look for ways that help them to feel relieved.
• Talk to someone. Whether this is a friend, classmate, family member, or counselor, there is someone who wants to listen and wants to help this student feel better.
• Control what is controllable. Keeping their bedroom and work area organized may allow student’s brains to focus more on schoolwork and handling stress.
• Try journaling. Writing down how they feel in as many words and sentences as possible can help students to communicate their feelings to others and become more comfortable handling them.
• Create/find a playlist. Listening to music can allow students to relate to others and let out their emotions.
• Try meditation. Using apps such as Headspace, Calm, or others that assist in meditation can do a lot to clear the mind and find peace.

Uplifting Things to do

• Play online games with friends. Playing games like Psych, Among Us, and Photo Roulette can be an extremely entertaining way to connect with friends while not together physically.
• Make a bubble. Having a bubble of friends to see in person will provide students with the social interactions they need.
• Learn a new instrument. Learning something new like an instrument can release endorphins in the brain and is a great way to exercise your mind.
• Cook/bake something. Cooking is a satisfying way to spend time and learn an important life skill simultaneously.
• Create something. Doing something imaginative and artistic is a great way for students to pass time and express themselves.

To close, the Seattle Prep counselors want the students of Seattle Prep to know that any feelings of sadness or anxiety are completely normal. They ask that students do not hesitate to contact them when they need someone to talk to. They are always ready to listen!

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