Weâre all online more than we should be. Our eyes werenât designed to look at digital screens for 8 hours a day yet we still do it anyway because the world has to evolve and keep moving forward right?
But what if itâs actually moving backward and weâre harming our growth?
Sure, the world is expanding, innovating and improving constantly, but most of the time, especially when it comes to business, we neglect our health the only asset we have to truly improve.
This time around Iâm not talking about the health crisis that has shaped our lives, rather the mental health crisis that came out of Zoom.
Now Zoom isnât the only one to blame. Our first suspect is the Chinese Wuhan bat for starting this whole mess leading the whole world to stay put at home and being mentally/physically glued to our screens while dealing with cabin fever for a full year. In fact, looking like a year and a half at this point.
I never imagined as a first year college student I would be stuck in a tiny box on a screen for 3 semesters.
What a view!
The Best and Catcher(upers)
We are dealing with 2 pandemics but luckily we do have a choice. If you are a financially stable individual who is saving more than ever seeing your net worth boom during this recession which is all due to following the mantra âplanning fo the worst, hoping for the bestâ, now is your time to really focus on your health because everything stems from having a healthy lifestyle and functioning mind.
If youâre like me whoâs been cooked up in NYC since exactly a year ago and donât need to fiddle with my portfolio at all since itâs only been skyrocketing, my mental sanity is my primary goal.
Itâs vital to have your mental health in check because without it, you cannot do anything. From school to sleeping properly, we donât realize how much of a strain the digital(ness) of the world plays into our lives.
So letâs look into the ironic no-brainer ways to fix your brain.
This doesnât just apply to Zoom, whatever mode of communication you use this will help in some realm as well.
#1: If You Donât Need It, Hide It
Some of my classes require cameras to be on or points off the final grade. I think that is against some rule that doesnât exist but should exist for the main reason to keep our health in check.
Typcially my classes are 2â3 hours long with 5 minute breaks. I donât understand how teachers expect students to sit in a class for that long listening to a teacher and feeling bright and engaged at the same time?
Do teachers believe a terrorist is trying to trespass into the class when our cameras are off or something?
We just need to look at our feet and concentrate better, nothing against you the teacher, I promise!
Now, Iâll be honest.
I have cooked a meal and had to drive to pick up something at the store during one of my classes but when I look back at those times, I had the most creative energy and participated because I wasnât staring at my face in a tiny lit up box.
Let students be students. Donât worry, (most) of the time weâre not doing something else and cameras off lets us relax and get our thoughts out staring at the wall instead.
#2: Blue Light Glasses
These are a must, especially when you are on the screen a few hours before bed time. I made an investment to buy Warby Parker(not sponsored) glasses for $40 with no prescription last May after completing my first semester.
I thought that semester in Zoom university would be my last.
Good thing I bought these glasses because I had 2+ more to go.
A little late since I just wrapped up a brutally long semester online but it was refreshing to know that I could now use the glasses for everything, not just school related Zoom.
I would highly recommend blue light because it reduces the strain on your eyes and helps you get back your natural melatonin levels.
Blue light inhibits melatonin reducing your tiredness, similarly to when you go outside and stare at the bright sun. Itâll be very hard to take a nap afterwards due to the glare and light.
Do yourself a favor, splurge on $40 glasses because in the long run, it will help you with:
-headaches/migraines
-blindness
-impaired vision
-diziness
-peace of mind
#3: Drink It Up
No, I do not condemn under age drinking, Iâm talking about agua.
Water is the best, healthiest free 0 calorie source to hydrate your body and mind. Just because its a liquid doesnât mean itâs not a powerful tool in stimulating your mind and helping break that bad habit of negativity!
Youâre most dehydrated when you first wake up whether itâs from a nap or from a full nightâs rest. Water is also a great way to curb hunger and increase satiety to loose that stubborn pandemic weight from all the banana bread recipes you tried, if thatâs a concern.
Last but not least, it will make your skin glow and boost your mood since being hydrated keeps you sluggish, hungry and tired = recipes for disaster.
Grab that drink from 20 feet away in the fridge downstairs and sip away!
#4: Get Outside Now
Being outside is crucial for your mental health. A daily walk provides multiple benefits some of which mine include:
-Vitamin D and C optimal for your melatonin, bone density, mood, mentality and brain health
-Fresh air and peace/serenity
-Alone time
-Great opportunity to gain more insight and creativity
-Free exercise to walk
-Meet new people in a socially distanced and safest way possible
Being in front of the computer all day will kill you. It isnât made for your brain and we shouldnât be forcing ourselves to stare in front of the computer screens hoping to become smarter that way.
Every minute you spend on a device, itâs like eating a bag of chips. Okay, itâs not that bad but it is pretty bad for your health which brings me to my next point about chips and analogies.
Sitting!
#5: Lift It Up
Iâm noticing that the only purchases I made for myself in the past year were due to Zoom.
Thankfully Iâll be able to utilize my blue light glasses and this new investment past the work from home days as well.
Hence the name, a standing desk allows you to stand and sit while you work rather than placing 60 textbooks below your device to squat and work.
When your legs get tired, you can seamlessly transition to sitting. Itâs extremely beneficial as my legs tend to feel like jelly after sitting for too long in one position for 3 hours in a class and itâs nice to have the option to just lift up the desk, something I wouldnât have been able to do in in-person classes.
These desks typically go for around $400-$2100 but health = wealth after all.
Sitting is the new smoking.
ZOOM SPECIFIC
#1: Gallery vs. Main View
It can get taxing to stare at one person after another in-front of you for hours. Instead, to boost your public speaking skills, I prefer the gallery view where you can feel like you are speaking to an audience instead of staring at yourself which can get distracting and funny at times.
#2: Laaaagggg Time Trick
Thereâs this thing called slow internet access. Weâve witnessed it all during this time at home. To reduce the lag and awkwardness of responding or answering questions, wait 3 seconds.
Literally count to 3 and that will set yourself on the accurate time/pace of the receiver on the other end because everyoneâs wifi is never on the same beat/pace whatever you want to call it.
Yours will always be slower or faster and most of the time you have no control so wait a sec before answering to get on beat.
Unless you want to talk over someone or have them repeat what they said again since you interrupted them too soon, just count to 3 and save yourself 3 headaches.
This time is tough for everyone. Mentally, physically, emotionally and whatever else is available to blame. Take one day at a time and understand itâs okay to take time for yourself and become present in nature. Take a walk, power nap and if you donât need to be on your device, donât do it. Save yourself headaches and mental fatigue down the road, and ditch the screen.
Donât worry you wonât have Zoom FOMO.