Dear Editor,
I am a freshman at Reading Memorial High School. At this time, people are very stressed and anxious about COVID-19. Given that students like myself are home all day, it is important to keep your brain and body active. Here are five kinds of activities that I recommend and hope to follow myself:
- Physical activity/Exercise: Exercise is great for your health. It boosts your immune system, improves muscle strength, helps you maintain a healthy weight, and most of all it lowers stress, which we are all feeling these days. Examples include running outside (keep a safe distance from others), doing push-ups, or sit-ups.
- Academic: Learning improves the function of the brain and keeps you alert. Most students might not like the idea of doing schoolwork when they are out of school, but I think you can find ways to learn something that interests you and sharpens your mind. For example, as someone interested in fitness, I have been watching fitness and nutrition-related documentaries, as well as reading a sports nutrition book. Pick a book of something you are interested in. You can use this time to review things from the school year you found challenging.
- Socialize: Since we cannot hang out physically, it is hard for any student to be without their friends. But we can still be social. Facetime, text, or call a friend. Play an online game with a friend.
- Be creative: Use this as a time to do something fun and maybe something you never had time to do before. Bake, pick up a guitar, draw or paint. For example, I am trying to come up with clever jokes to keep my family laughing.
- Meditate: Take at least a couple minutes of your day to sit in silence and just think about your day in a calm fashion. Focus on ONE thing. Take deep breaths and know that life will be normal again.
Roman Olivardia
RMHS Class of 2023