Online classes have accelerated the use of mobiles, laptops, and desktops. Students are not new to the world of technology. However, increased screen time can harm them in the long run.
How do you control your screen time when you are expected to attend virtual classes? You also have to complete your tasks, find learning materials, and attend tests and exams online. All these combined make it hard to keep a tab on screen time, right?
We know how difficult it is to keep screen time under control. Yet, you need to find a way to improve your mental health during online classes. Getting worried? Fret not, for we have got your back.
Let’s explore a few ways to manage screen time during online classes to improve mental health. But before we dive into the solutions, let’s understand the mental health issues that can arise as a consequence of screen time.
Mental Health During Online Classes due to Increased Screen Time
In recent times, there has been a surge in take my online class requests from students pursuing their education online. Not only do students find it difficult to manage their time, but many students are also unable to remember the lessons taught in classes and are often seen struggling with online courses.
While the burden of managing assignments, part-time jobs, and online classes can be overwhelming, the increased time on screen can be attributed to students’ struggles. For those who feel that looking at the screen for long hours does not affect their mental health, go through the points below to understand how it does:
A. Depression and Anxiety
Recent research shows that students who spent 4 hours or more of daily screen time experienced anxiety (27.1%) and depression symptoms (25.9%). The fact that you are completely dependent on your mobile, laptop, or desktop reduces social interaction and eventually results in depression and anxiety. It can also be called a significant stressor for students. Students who struggle with mental health issues can avail themselves of counselling services to cope with the problems.
B. Social Isolation
The transition from traditional to online learning environments has reduced face-to-face interactions with classmates, leading to social isolation. This isolation affects the mental well-being of students attending online programs, as well as their physical and behavioral health.
C. Sleep Disturbances
If you feel that looking at the screen can help you get good sleep, you are mistaken. Instead, excessive time on screen can have a negative impact on your sleep schedule. Sleep disturbances can lead to fatigue and eventually impact your mental health.
D. Difficulty Finding a Balance
Students struggle to find a balance between attending online sessions and watching their favorite series on OTT. This adds to the time spent on screen during the virtual sessions and has negative consequences.
E. Other Mental Health Concerns
Low self-esteem, reduced cognitive function, and difficulty managing stress are a few of the other mental health outcomes among students.
That sounds alarming, and it is crucial to find a way out of the problems. So, without further ado, let’s take you through the ways to solve this problem and manage your time on screen during virtual sessions.
Mental Health Tips for Students: Ways to Manage Time on Screen
How do you keep yourself away from the screen in online education? That’s impossible, right? Instead of giving you ideas on keeping yourself away from the screen, we will share a few ideas that can boost your mental health and make you one of the best in the class. Here are a few tips that can help you cope with the problems:
A. Set Screen Time Limits
You can check and download screen tracking apps like Digital Wellbeing, Rescue Time, ActivityWatch, etc., to monitor your time on mobiles, laptops, or desktops. Since you will spend a lot of time looking at screens to meet your academic commitments, you must look for ways to keep other activities in control.
Establish ‘no screen hours’ before taking your bed or while having your food to keep it under control.
B. The 20-20-20 Rule
This is an effective method for taking charge of your mental health and balancing your time on screen. Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look at something at least 20 feet away from you. Online students can implement this method to reduce stress and anxiety caused by their time spent looking at screens. This can help learners have a great online learning journey.
C. Establish Tech-Free Zones
Try keeping your digital devices out of your bedrooms. High school students or college students have a lot to take care of. From attending the online class to talking to online tutors for doubt clearance, they spend a lot of time looking at screens. Therefore, to ensure you get enough sleep and are motivated to attend classes the next day, give your eyes some rest.
Set aside some time to read books, talk with friends and family, or rest. Increase in-person interactions, talk with your instructors, and engage in study groups instead of scrolling through social media.
D. Practice Mindfulness
Mental exhaustion from screen use is inevitable. If you want to cope with it, you have to practice self-care. Mindfulness is the best way to go about it. You can relax your body and mind with breathing exercises, guided imagery meditation, and other such methods.
Mindfulness exercises can help improve students’ mental health when they feel overwhelmed by tasks and assignments. This is one effective method for balancing tech and mental health, and it will also pave the way to academic success.
E. Avoid Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling is something most teenagers do. Consuming negative news and content online continuously can lead to serious mental health conditions. Further, it will lead to excessive screen usage. This will eventually affect your academic performance negatively. Also, this leads to struggles with mental health issues.
Filter out the pages that promote positive news. This will not only help you learn, but it will also help you limit your time on screen. You would automatically need time to rest and keep your phone away.
F. Listen to Music
An effective way to reduce time on screen is to listen to music. This will not only help you get some time off, but it will also boost your mood. Plug in your earphones, play your favorite music, and spend some time drinking a cup of coffee. Believe it or not, it is one of the best ways to be on track and learn well online.
Music also gives emotional support and helps combat stress and other factors that arise from excessive screen usage. Try this method for better sleep, relaxation, and a great career.
Endnote:
Excessive screen usage is a significant reason behind the mental health crisis among students. Feelings of isolation, social anxiety, and others are common problems students face due to this. It is essential to work on the different ways to improve mental health and stay on track.
There’s no way to deny the impact of screen time on students. But students need to put all negative thoughts aside and work on ways to overcome the odds. Follow the tips mentioned above to avoid all distractions and get the necessary rest for better results. These will also help students focus on their studies.