For students newly enrolled in college online degrees, health is often the last thing on their minds. It is important to remember, however, that good health and physical well-being play a key role in a student’s ability to earn a degree online. The reverse is also true – as an essay writer, I know that neglecting one’s health can significantly and negatively impact a student’s performance in an online degree program. In addition to paying attention to important aspects of health like a physical routine, ergonomic workstation, and proper eye-care, the online student needs to make a conscious effort towards eating right.
Minimize Junk Eating When Studying for Online Masters Degrees
One of the biggest temptations of a stay-at-home study schedule is snacking. It’s extremely convenient to have that bag of snacks within arm’s reach – along with that fizzy – and munch away without even really noticing how much has been consumed. Working from the office during breaks or after-hours is also not conducive to healthy eating – a grabbed sandwich or salad is better than a bag of fries, but still not good enough.
Guard against the health hazard of junk-food eating by becoming aware of what is being eaten, at all times of day and night. Set rules that are not to be broken; no food near the computer, or just two snacks a day, or whatever else works. The important thing is to consciously set limits.
Pay Attention to Nutrition and Hydration When Pursuing College Online Degrees
Students attempting to earn a degree online need to pay special attention to nutrition, with care being taken to eat proper, well-balanced meals. While taking an online course may not be physically strenuous, it is an intense effort and the body needs to be well-nourished. The right nutrients must be taken for healthy functioning and vigorous blood circulation since an online degree program such as these online TEFL courses involve long hours at the computer.”
Take the time to chart out a daily or weekly meal plan, with a balanced diet that includes the right quantities of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as vitamins and anti-oxidants. A healthy, well-nourished body translates into loads of energy for studying brain cells charged and ready to go.
Hydration is equally important. Ensure adequate intake of water and fluids, preferably green or herbal teas and fruit juices, to stay well-hydrated – a low intake of fluids can cause cramps, especially when seated for long periods in the same posture.
Follow Meal-Time Discipline When Pursuing an Online Master’s Degree
Another trap that online students frequently fall into is that of delaying or skipping meals to attend a group session or finish a looming deadline. While this is perfectly normal and understandable once in a while, long hours without food and erratic meals for an extended period performing essay service writing can cause acidity, heartburn, and other health problems.
The benefits of regular mealtimes include better health overall, reduced calorie intake, more stable blood sugar levels, and improved mental function without the slump that comes from sugar deprivation.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
- “Food eaten after 6 pm is more fattening” – Research has shown that calories eaten in a large meal at night do not make the body store more fat compared to the same amount of calories eaten at any other time of day – food eaten at 5.59 pm has the same effect on your body as if eaten at 6.01 pm. It’s not the time food is eaten; it’s the number of calories eaten over the whole day that matters when it comes to weight gain or weight loss.
- “A square meal is a cooked meal” – Not necessarily. Although lean meat or fish with two vegetables and potatoes is a balanced meal, so too is a hearty bowl of vegetable and pulses soup with bread or a sandwich (or pitta bread) filled with lean meat and salad.
- “Lunch is for wimps!” – Lunch is for productive people who want to benefit from taking 20 minutes out to relax and refuel – the rise in blood sugar following the meal aids concentration and brainpower. A dip in blood sugar (e.g. the afternoon ‘slump’), which can arise from a skipped meal, can cause tiredness, mood changes, and loss of concentration – not the most ‘productive’ state to be in.
Healthy Eating Habits Improve Performance in Online Distance Education
By cultivating healthy eating habits, the online student not only ensures a healthy, well-nourished body that stands him in good stead for a lifetime; it improves student performance with working on an online master’s degree. Consciously reducing intake of junk food, getting the right nutrition and hydration, and following mealtime discipline will go a long way towards enhanced mental capabilities and improved performance.