AnielaThe deadlines, the pressure to keep creating, the passion for our work, the constant notifications… whatever it might be, we often forget to take care of our physical and mental health. We push it aside, overlook it, and tell ourselves we’ll “fix it later.”
Now, I am not a health practitioner, yoga instructor, nutritionist, or health coach. I am simply someone who is deeply concerned about my own health and well-being. And even then, I still end up doing the classic unhealthy things: staying up late, sleeping at weird hours, skipping proper meals, grabbing random snacks, living on caffeine and calling it “hustle.”
As a video editor and producer, I spend long, long hours in front of a laptop or computer editing. That means it is extra important for me to take care of my body and mind and finally put my health at the top of my priority list.
When day and night become one
Lately I have been working a lot. And being a student means your days and nights slowly melt into one. If you are a student, you know exactly what I mean. But if you’re not, let me explain.
Imagine day and night are two separate pages in a book. Being a student is like someone merging those pages into one. It doesn’t really matter if the sun is up or down, you just keep going.
But that “keep going” mode, with late nights and late mornings, was absolutely not helping my health. I started noticing weakness in my body, pain in my joints, and with winter here in Canada, it got worse. My hair started falling more than usual, and I even noticed some premature greying.
That was my wake-up call.
So I decided to make some lifestyle changes. It is honestly very difficult with the little free time I have while juggling classes, assignments, work, and personal projects. But I knew if I didn’t do it now, I would regret it later. And I really want you to think about this for yourself too.
Whether you’re a video editor, content creator, working professional, or a student in any field, these small shifts might help you like they are helping me.
1. Waking up earlier (even when the sun doesn’t)
Here in Canada, especially in November, the sun doesn’t rise until after 7:30 a.m. But I still try to wake up earlier.
For a night owl like me, this was brutally hard at first. But having 8:00 a.m. morning classes forced me into it. On those days, I have to wake up. The interesting part is, on days when I don’t have early classes, waking up early still gives me so much more energy, strength and a sense of freshness that I never get when I wake up late.
I now aim to wake up around 6:00 a.m. It’s not perfect every day, but even trying has made a difference.
The first thing I do is warm some water, let it cool slightly until it is lukewarm, and drink it before I head to the washroom. It’s such a simple thing, but it feels like telling my body, “Okay, we’re starting the day gently.”
2. Lighting a lamp or candle to reset my energy
Lighting an oil lamp is traditionally said to create a positive, sattvic (pure and calm) energy in your living space. If you have access to it, lighting a small lamp with ghee (clarified butter) or sesame oil is considered ideal in many cultures because they burn cleanly and are believed to support a peaceful environment. If that’s not available, you can use a simple vegetable oil lamp too.
If you prefer candles, try to use one made from pure beeswax instead of paraffin. Beeswax candles burn more cleanly and tend to release fewer toxins than regular scented candles, which is better when you’re indoors for long hours.
When I light my lamp, I like to just sit in front of it for a few minutes and close my eyes. I don’t try to “meditate properly” or force myself into stillness. I just rest my eyes and let them be closed, because most of the day they are wide open staring at a bright screen.
If you are into meditation, you can absolutely turn this into a short practice. If not, simply sitting quietly with closed eyes is already a beautiful reset.
3. Eating more real, nourishing food
Eating food rich in nutrients, fiber, and healthy fats has been a big focus for me lately. I’m talking about:
- Whole grains
- Fresh vegetables and fruits
- Lentils and beans
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy fats like ghee, olive oil, or coconut oil
Most days, because of my schedule, I end up eating leftovers or quick fixes instead of fresh, home-cooked meals. The funny part is that I love cooking and know how to make delicious food. I just didn’t make time for it.
Instead of making excuses, I started looking for inspiration. On Instagram, I found some really good food accounts that focus on “real food” with simple ingredients. No complicated recipes, no aesthetic overload, just 3–4 ingredient meals that anyone can make.
One of the creators I follow is @putriyuliandari_ (I believe she is Indonesian), and I’ve used her videos as a base to create my own Nepali-style meals. That is what I now follow for my meal prep: simple, fresh, and homemade.
4. Eating fewer times, more mindfully
This one might be a bit debatable.
A lot of people like snacking throughout the day, and if that truly works for you and your body feels good, that’s fine. But from what I’ve read and heard from different sources, eating two proper meals a day with a gap of 6–8 hours in between can sometimes help with better digestion, less lethargy, and more steady energy.
I tried this for myself, and it genuinely helped:
- My stomachache issues have reduced
- My digestion felt smoother
- I felt more naturally awake and alert
- I was not constantly thinking about food or snacks
So now, instead of snacking constantly, I focus on two nourishing meals and then keep my “snacks” light and intentional.
Good snack options:
- Fruits
- Dry fruits and nuts
- Fresh juice
- Plenty of water
- Herbal teas
I am 100 percent guilty of using coffee as my editing fuel. But in the long run, it backfired. I’d feel anxious, jittery or crash later.
These days, I try to avoid overdoing the coffee and instead sip warm, lukewarm water throughout the day. It helps with digestion and just makes my body feel cleaner and lighter from the inside.
5. Moving your body (in ways you actually enjoy)
Moving your body helps with blood circulation, energy flow, and loosening all the stiffness we build up from sitting for too long. It also signals to your brain that you’re alive and not a robot glued to a screen.
If you are into yoga, gym workouts, pilates or any form of exercise, that’s amazing. Do what you love.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of hardcore workouts. But I love to dance.
So I put on a Zumba session on YouTube, and I just dance and move my body lightly for at least an hour. I also love long walks, but in Canadian winter it’s not always practical to be outside for long. So indoor Zumba it is.
The bonus? I feel my dance moves are getting better too. So I get fitness and fun togeth
6. Taking breaks between edits
This one is especially for editors, designers, and anyone who works long hours on a screen.
I set a timer for about an hour and pace my work. After each focused session, I take a short break instead of editing non-stop for 4–5 hours straight.
In those breaks, I:
- Close my eyes for 5–10 minutes
- Simply watch my breath
- Let my mind and eyes calm down
If you want guided help, the “Miracle of Mind” app is a great free meditation app where you can start with as little as 7 minutes and go up to 21 minutes. I’ve tried it and it really feels like someone just hit a “refresh” button on my brain.
Another thing I do: I leave a few chores undone on purpose.
For example, after eating, I won’t wash the dishes immediately. I’ll go back to work, and then during my 15–20 minute break, I’ll get up and:
- Do the dishes
- Clean the table
- Fold clothes
- Take out the garbage
That way, during my breaks, I’m actually moving my body and not just sitting on my chair or lying on my bed scrolling. It keeps my space cleaner and my body active.
A gentle reminder and a small request
Like I mentioned earlier, I am not a health professional. I am just someone who cares deeply about my own well-being and has slowly started making these changes in real life.
These habits are not perfect or aesthetic. They are just practical and human, and they have already helped me feel better in my body and mind.
If even one of these ideas helps you, that would mean so much to me.
At the end of the day, we do all this work because we want to be happy, fulfilled, and at peace. And our health is not a “nice-to-have” for that. It is the foundation. It is the most important thing.
Your turn
If this resonated with you, here’s my little challenge for you:
Tonight before you sleep, pick one tiny habit from this post that you will start tomorrow.
Just one.
It could be:
- Waking up 30 minutes earlier
- Drinking warm water in the morning
- Dancing to one song
- Eating one fresh, homemade meal
- Taking a 10-minute screen-free break
And if you feel like sharing, tell me in the comments or reply:
What is one small change you’re committing to for your health this week? ❤️