Balancing Act: Strategies for Maintaining Mental Health in Distance Learning

A Share of the National Cake

Over time experiences have left us with none but the option of distance learning.

     Talk about the deadly pandemic that broke out keeping even the ‘developed countries’ at the mercy of distance learning. We all, at one point or another, have had to experience this unavoidably. And we have not just come into its positive effects but the negative also. 

      Distance learning has proven beyond doubt to be effective, especially during periods when staying at home was mandatory, but it has also left some emotional, psychological and mental draining effects on students.

        Let’s narrow this down to a particular aspect which has proven to be undoubtedly a major point of attack: THE MENTAL EFFECT.

Why the Focus on the Mental Effects?

An excerpt from research  on the mental effect of distance learning: 

“…The impact of distance learning on the somatic and mental state of the child became evident. The study of this issue showed the need for specialists to master new pedagogical technologies in distance education and search for ways to adapt educational content. The authors of this research believe that to maintain the health of learners in a distance learning environment, it is important to increase motivation, dose the learning load, and involve parents as assistants in the learning process”   

         This then begs the question: why is it important to increase motivation, dose the learning load or involve parents as assistants in the learning process if not for the mental effects of distance learning?

       Now, you may be a student currently relating to this issue, or a guardian trying to assist someone going through a mental aftermath of learning online. Go ahead and absorb these strategies that will help you navigate through this turbulent period. These would be your tools to making good use of your piece of cake.

Building a Positive Mindset

The first strategy to consider is ‘the act of building a positive mindset’. Generally, learning physically already requires so much determination. Now imagine learning from a distance, separated physically from other learners and even teachers; that would definitely require much more determination to push through. That is where the building comes in. 

Learn about how to stay motivated in an online environment here

Intentionally training your mind to adapt to situations that may be difficult and tasking but necessary; continually making yourself see reasons why you should push; encouraging yourself and seeing the positive outcome of you staying determined to the end are all great ways to start building a positive mindset. 

A mind that is positively set sees the good in everything engaged in. No matter how strained, such a mind is charged positively to remain emotionally strong– even when expected to be tired and fagged out. 

Also, a positive mindset can be built by absorbing and soaking in affirmations (I would personally prescribe scriptural affirmations; they are 100% effective). You become what you take in. And if all you take in are negative contents, you will gradually lose your sense of purpose and focus. This will eventually result in a negative mindset– the complete opposite of a positive mindset. Treading the path of a negative mindset leads to many negative outcomes. An example would be a roller-coaster of emotions leading to suicide. 

However, if you listen to the word of God and mind-engaging contents, if you read mind-refreshing books, and if you watch spirit-lifting and inspiring movies, you will have succeeded in building a positive mindset strong enough to maintain the route of emotional wellness during distance learning.

Building Discipline

Secondly, discipline when learning is very paramount. While it is no news that most distance learning, if not all, are held via online platforms, it is also no news that there are too many distractions– you will lose count of them. They are readily available to keep learners veering off their course of learning, and as such, discipline is required to stay on course. 

Picture this scenario: a young man suffering from a mental breakdown due to ‘lack of enough time to study’. This can (almost) surely be attributed to spending a huge chunk of time on distractions he encounters while trying to study. What a tragedy!… Indeed, this is many of us. 

This can however be resolved by enforcing certain principles. Allocate time and ensure accountability for each time spent on online spaces. Understand the principle of self-control because it is only with self-control that all these can be accomplished.

Getting an Accountability Partner

Furthermore, having an accountability partner can help manage the emotional stress that comes with distance learning. This person can be a trusted friend, parent or guardian. He (or she) must be open and receptive, and at the same time stern and strict. This person helps and ensures that you achieve the set goals. He also ensures that you remain undistracted and very productive during each learning session and at the end. 

Building a Good Online Presence

In addition, interacting with other learners and building relationships online are great ways to maximize distance learning and maintain mental health. Knowing what others are up to and realizing that you are not lagging can have a very relieving effect on one’s mental health. Try to socialize with those you learn with. Ask questions. Be ready to know how they survive distance learning and in that way, you will be learning from their experiences.

A good online presence can also affect motivation. Discover here.

Make your Piece of Cake Count

     Finally, taking time to rest and relax at intervals after each learning session(or however suitable) is necessary. In order not to break down, do not say no to opportunities to refresh your mind, take walks, listen to music and engage in conversations with people around. These would go a long way in protecting your mental health. Know this: health is wealth; the fact that it is mental does not make it of lesser importance. So, do not neglect it.

Cheers to productive distance learning!

Written by Rachael

For the Editorial Team, God is Love Educational Foundation