As millions of children and youths across the nation prepare to go back to school this fall, many might face some challenges due to the ongoing health, economic, and social consequences of the pandemic.

We should all keep in mind to get a complete dose of the COVID vaccination as a preventive measure, with this let’s try to keep these health practices in mind when we return to in-class activities this fall.

Practise Social Distancing:

First of all, we need to still remember we are still in the midst of a pandemic, so we need to continue practising social distance at least six feet of space from other people. 

Steps to encourage social distancing during in-person schooling may include:

• Eliminating lockers or grouping them by student groups, or cohorts
• Creating one-way traffic in school hallways
• Using outdoor spaces when possible for instruction, meals and recess
• Reducing the number of children on school buses
• Spacing desks out and having them all face in the same direction
• Using physical barriers, such as plexiglass shields and partitions, to separate educators and students
• Dividing students up into distinct groups or cohorts that stay together during the school day and reducing interaction between different groups.

Maintain a Healthy Diet:

Try planning a healthy diet to start the school year by eating a variety of food and avoiding skipping meals. To get the most out of your meals, eat a balance of lean protein, whole grain carbohydrates, and healthy fats such as oils, nuts, and fish.

Using campus services can also help you maintain good nutrition. If you have any food allergies, food intolerances, or food preferences, talk to your campus food services director or dietitian to learn about your options. It may be helpful to meet with your college dietitian if you’re experiencing weight or appetite changes.

Create an Exercise Routine: 

College is tough. There is no doubt about that. Setting goals for yourself and balancing out your “me” time within your busy college schedule is vital to your academic and physical success. All the hard work and dedication will all be worth it in the end as you will move on to a healthy and rewarding lifestyle. So try keeping an exercise routine by occasionally taking the stairs instead of the elevator once or twice in a while, join a fitness club and most important go to bed early so you can get up early for your exercise routine.

Nap When Necessary: 

Sleeping takes too long. Sure, we could sleep for eight hours a night, or we could be using those hours instead to study, do homework, and then study some more. All-nighters have become a regular thing, with some people I know pulling all-nighters multiple times every few weeks. So if you are going to sacrifice sleeping at night, try taking a nap during the day. This would be the best bet toward the mounting of your sleep debt.

Published on HOLR Magazine.