HOW TO STAY FIT, HEALTHY AND HAPPY DURING COVID-19.

With new social distancing measures in place, it’s harder than ever to maintain an exercise regime, especially if you’re someone who enjoys working out with friends. 

In addition to this, the home environment in which we’ve all found ourselves offers many opportunities to remain sedentary, and it’s more important than ever to keep our bodies moving and maintain a healthy body and mind. 

So, how can you ensure you do this?

Spend Time Outside

Measures in place mean we’re able to spend a maximum of 1 hour outside exercising. It’s incredibly important at this time to make the most of this hour. Spend time jogging or exercising, or simply commit to an hour of walking. If you’re someone who finds an hour of walking to be boring, try listening to music or a podcast to help keep you entertained.

Take Breaks

Take regular breaks from sitting in front of your computer, at a desk or on your sofa every 40-50 minutes. These breaks don’t need to be long, and can be as simple as a quick walk to the other side of your house, getting up to get a glass of water or simply spending a few minutes on your balcony or in your backyard. 

Use Your Bodyweight

With instant access to what seems like an infinite library of free online workout videos, incorporating at home strength workouts into your routine has the benefit of not only creating healthy habits, but also of clearing your mind and keeping you physically fit. Some examples of indoor workouts can be found HERE.

Try Meditation

Meditation - in addition to reducing stress and anxiety - has the wonderful ability to promote calmness and clarity of mind. Taking up 15-20 minutes of meditation each morning will help you maintain a healthy and active mind, while also helping you gain clarity. Another benefit of meditation? It’s incredibly useful for promoting healthy brain function. 

Do you have any other suggestions? Leave us a comment in the box below.

WHAT A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ALLIED HEALTH ASSISTANT MAY LOOK LIKE

Have you considered a career in Allied Health? One of the key considerations is what this particular career path might look like on a day-to-day basis.

One of the biggest draws for working as an Allied Health Assistant - other than the varied nature of the work - is the opportunity to work with a range of clients and a diverse scope of work, but it’s also important to know what you’re getting into on a daily basis. 

As an Allied Health Assistant, you’ll have a basic knowledge of medical terms and the skills associated, which means you’re able to work with physiotherapists, dieticians, psychologists and social workers to name a few.

An Allied Health Assistant’s day will begin by liaising with their team and determining the schedule for the day; who they’re working with, which issues they’ll be faced with and the scope of their client work. Due to the varied nature of their work, it’s crucial that Allied Health Assistants have strong organisational, communication and time-management skills. 

Their daily responsibilities will include:

• Overall management and direction of facility or organisation

• Assisting in administrative operations; reporting, budget planning and supply/equipment expenditure

• Developing, implementing and monitoring health care standards and policies for Allied Health and administrative staff

• Liaising with patients

• Maintaining a comfortable, supportive environment through multiple practices.

• Supporting and assisting Allied Health practitioners

One of the many benefits of working in Allied Health is that you aren’t limited to certain job opportunities and locations. This kind of flexibility means that you’re able to pursue various career pathways and follow your unique interests within the Allied Health space. 

If you’re interested in studying to be an Allied Health Assistant at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

FIVE WAYS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY IN TEAMS ONLINE

Working collaboratively has its challenges at the best of times, namely in a functional space where meetings can take in person. 

With the ever-changing circumstances of 2020, businesses, educational institutions and students have been faced with the challenges of translating in-person working environments to online platforms. 

However - the great thing to know is that it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are our top 5 tips for making the most out of team collaboration.

Ensure You’re Using the Best Tools Available to You.

With so many top-tier tools available, there’s no excuse to not be using online software for team communication. A few of our favourites are Slack, Flowdock, Asana and Trello. These tools are not only great for keeping the conversation going, but also for managing workflows and shared tasks.

Check In Regularly

It’s important to remember that everyone is experiencing the same challenges when working collaboratively from home, and now more than ever with the disruption to our normal flow of work. Taking some time on a weekly basis to check in with fellow students or colleagues can make a big difference in not only their day, but also in the level of collaboration they’re able to commit to. 

Create Systems for Document Sharing

Working remotely requires a high level of project management, and calls for well thought out systems. One of the best ways to streamline document sharing and real-time collaboration is Google’s suite of apps. A few examples are Google Drive, Google Sheets and Google Docs. 

These apps update instantly with changes saved online. They also allow for comments to be made and edits to be suggested.

Structure Your Meetings

While meetings are essential to ensure you and your team are on the same page, they’ve also been found to contribute to time-wasting. Instead of scheduling meetings because you think you should (for example ‘Monday Morning Meetings’) instead, think of scheduling meetings only when necessary and with a clear objective in mind. 

Maintain Study or Workplace Traditions

For many teams, communal spaces act as a ‘water cooler’, and without this, teams are quick to lose motivation. Creating virtual water coolers is easier to do than you might think. One example is to create a chatroom which is open 24/7 and has a strict ‘no work topic’ policy. 

Working remotely requires teamwork and a dedication to succeed, but with the right tools and mindset, you’re halfway there.

THE POWER OF MEDITATION AND HOW IT SUPPORTS OUR BRAIN POWER

Did you know that just 10 minutes a day of mindful meditation can drastically improve your cognitive function? 

Not only should the quality of your cognitive function be regularly monitored, but it’s also important to reflect on it in times of intense study.

Healthy brain function is essential for retaining new information, boosting concentration, reducing stress and anxiety and aiding better sleeping patterns.With that in mind, how does meditation play a part in healthy brain performance?

Meditation Improves Concentration 

If you’ve ever noticed that you have difficulty remaining focussed on one thing, chances are you could benefit from meditation. By dedicating a short amount of time each day to meditation, and teaching - or rather, allowing - your brain to focus on just the meditative task at hand, you can improve your ability to focus and concentrate on a day-to-day basis. 

Meditation Reduces Anxiety

One of the main catalysts for beginning meditation can be a desire to increase relaxation and reduce stress. However, mindful meditation has the added benefit of also reducing anxiety by loosening the connection on self-referential (“me-centred’) parts of our brains. As this connection weakens, we simultaneously strengthen the connection between our body, our fear centres and our Assessment Centre. Our Assessment Centre is the part of the brain known for reasoning, so when we experience upsetting situations we’re better able to act rationally.

Meditation Increases Memory Function

Meditation has been linked strongly to rapid memory recall, meaning we’re better able to remember newly acquired information. This skill has been linked to the added benefit of being able to ignore distractions that would otherwise mean we’re unable to absorb - and so recall - information. 

Meditation has many benefits, with only a few listed above, and can be essential for many in boosting their brain performance. 

We’d love to know if you’ve found practising meditation to be helpful in the comment box below.

BENEFITS OF PRACTICAL LEARNING

Everyone learns differently, and learning styles can vary from person to person, from visual, to aural, verbal, physical or logical learning styles. But there’s one type of learning that benefits most students, and that’s practical learning.

When studying, it’s important to get a hands-on understanding of your subject and how the theory you learn applies to real-life situations. Practical learning allows you to learn quick adaptations needed for daily challenges and scenarios and allows you to get a better understanding of your course topic.Here are 4 benefits to practical learning in the context of your studies.

Improved Skill Set

Practical learning, as mentioned above, has the unique ability to help students apply their skills in a non-classroom environment. While it’s important to learn the theory of a topic or subject, getting out and applying the theory to a practical situation enables you to build upon existing skills ~ such as problem-solving.

It also allows you to apply your technical knowledge in the field, which is incredibly beneficial in all subjects but particularly in subjects such as horticulture, aged care and disability care.

Increases Your Understanding

There are some things that need to be experienced to be understood, and this is true for most subjects. For example, a certificate in aged care may prepare you theoretically, but working one-on-one with a senior citizen in need of your help will give you a better understanding of how to care for something, and the best way to do certain tasks.

Creates a Deeper Impact

Interactive education ~ in the form of practical learning ~ can strengthen your understanding and comprehension on a subject. While theoretical education utilised textbooks and research papers, practical learning allows you to learn things first hand. This learning is a fundamental part of education and works incredibly well to improve a student’s learning level and understanding. 

Better Knowledge Retention

Taking a hands-on approach to learning often results in more ingrained knowledge, with the ability to retain information quickly and for longer periods of time. The reason being that when learning in a theoretical, text-based style, our brains attempt to remember words. However, when learning in a practical environment, we’re remembering actions and scenarios which our brains find easier to retain.

It’s for these reasons that we at Stirling Institute have partnered with top-tier facilities to offer our students the best practical learning experience to complement their studies.

To learn more about our domestic courses, click here.

WHY EXERCISING IS SO IMPORTANT TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN POWER

We’re sure you’ve heard it before; “exercising is great for increasing brain function”. But how, exactly?Exercise has many benefits, from improved heart function to reducing the risk of many diseases, and it’s also highly important when it comes to improved overall mental health and brainpower.

Exercise as a Brain Power Booster

Regular exercise helps to improve both memory and thinking, and it’s not limited to specific types of exercise. Whether you’re fond of weight lifting, yoga, walking or kickboxing, each has the same benefits to your brain. The aerobic element of exercise ~ also known as cardio ~ raises your heart rate which in turn increases blood flow to your brain. This is then accompanied by an increase in breathing speed which helps to pump more oxygen into your bloodstream, which in turn is delivered to your brain. So not only has your brain benefited from an increase of blood, but it’s now also receiving an increased supply of oxygen through the blood.This then leads to the production of neurons ~ known as neurogenesis ~ in certain parts of your brain that control memory and thinking. 

Exercise also promotes the production of neurotrophins, which are proteins that aid neuron survival and function. These neurotrophins lead to an increase in brain plasticity, and therefore, better memory and learning.

Put it to the Test

What’s the best way to see how exercise affects your brainpower? Put it to the test yourself and begin adding exercise to your daily routine. Any exercise that leads to an increase in heart rate will be beneficial, and you can start slowly by walking. If you’re not interested in walking, consider other moderate exercises, such as swimming, cycling or dancing.

But how much exercise should you do, exactly? Getting in at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days should lead to a noticeable improvement in your memory and cognitive function. No matter the exercise style you choose, commit to making it a part of your daily routine to see the full benefits.

WHAT DOES A ROLE AS A DISABILITY CARER LOOK LIKE

As a Disability Carer, your days will be varied, but one constant will be your ability to aid and care for those in need. Working one-on-one with people with a disability is an incredibly rewarding experience, and you’ll have the opportunity to help them gain independence and live a full, rich life.

But what exactly does a Disability Carer’s role look like?

Place of Work

There’s no one place of work in Disability Support, with locations ranging from patient’s homes to places of care. Some days, you’ll find yourself working at your clients’ house, supporting them with basic activities such as showering and food preparation, while on another day you may find yourself coordinating social events for your patients.

Patients

Your patients will range from people in wheelchairs to people needing addition and more in-depth assistance. With career pathways that lead to working as a Disability Support Worker, Behavioural Support Officer, Community Development Officer, Disabilities Supervisor or a Disability Service Officer, there’s no end to the types of people you’ll have the opportunity to work with.

Skills

Not everyone is cut out for a career as a Disability Carer, with the basic skills including:

• Caring ~ this one should go without saying, but having a kind, compassionate and caring nature is essential for the success of a Disability Carer as patients need to feel safe and understood in your care.

• Empathy ~ the ability to empathise with, and understand the unique situations of your patients is incredibly important.

• Organisation ~ being able to prioritise and organise your schedule is invaluable, especially for those working in a mobile role and needing to visit multiple patients daily.

• Patience ~ the job of a Disability Carer is to be there for their patients and to let them know that they are heard and understood, especially during difficult and distressing situations.

The Day-to-Day

Much like the place of work, the daily life and routine of a Disability Carer is varied and can include a dynamic variety of activities, such as:

• Assisting your clients and patients with domestic tasks

• Assisting with meal preparation and shopping

• Coordinating social gatherings and events

• Establishing and maintaining daily routines

• Providing companionship and support to your patients

• Helping your clients to become independent and lead fulfilling lives

A career in Disability Care offers so much variety and a genuinely fulfilling experience, with the specifics of any job largely relying on the needs of the client.

The most important skill of any carer? Promoting social connectedness, emotional wellbeing and general health.

If you’re interested in studying to be a Disability Care Worker at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

TIPS ON HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR STUDY SESSIONS

A well-structured study lesson can be the difference between retaining the information needed, or not retaining it and having essentially wasted a period of critical time. Here are five incredibly effective ways to structure your study sessions. 

Step 1: Find Your Study Style

Knowing not only how you like to study, but also how you study most effectively is an important first step in knowing how to structure your study sessions. Study styles can be:Visual Learning ~ learning through looking at informative images, diagrams and infographics.

Aural Learning ~  learning through hearing and listening. For example, recording and listening back to lessons, or listening to white noise or rain while studying.

Verbal Learning ~ learning through speaking and reading. For example, you might learn best from listicles and blogs.

Physical Learning ~ learning through doing. When it comes to studying, simply printing online resources and holding the paper, or holding your study books can be helpful.

Logical Learning ~ learning through creating systems. For example, mind maps and index cards may be the best study style for you.

Step 2: Set Realistic Study Goals

Knowing that you need to study, but not setting measurable study goals, can result in ineffective and potentially aimless study. Study goals don’t need to be large and daunting, and in fact, work best when they’re broken down into bite-sized chunks that can be tackled easily.

Study goals may look like:

~ Attend 5 classes this term

~ Take practice exam 1

~ Attend lecture 1

~ Read 5 class-relevant books

Step 3: Structure Your Study Time

Studying is an intensive activity, and breaking structuring it is essential to having a good and meaningful session. The key to a well-structured session is to include breaks. These breaks can be between 10-20 minutes and should be scheduled every 45 minutes to an hour. 

It’s important that during your breaks, you do nothing but relax and let your mind re-group. Picking your phone up and scrolling through social media can have the opposite effect to rest, and can cause strain on your brain. 

Step 4: Create Your Study Zone

When studying, you need to ensure that your environment is conducive to an effective session. In order to do this, you should establish a zone that’s dedicated solely to study. This zone should be away from distractions - such as the TV - and should be in a quiet area, either in your house or a library.

Leave your phone in another room (or put it on silent)  when in your study zone, and limit your accessories to only essential items ~ such as a notepad, pen, highlighters, a ruler and your computer. This will help you avoid not only distractions but also clutter.

Step 5: Track and Review Your Progress Daily

The only way to ensure you’re improving is to make note of, and track, your progress. A few helpful methods are:

Study Planners

Blocking out study sessions in a study planner, and allocating time to each (such as maths - 45 minutes) can help you stay focussed and on track. Ticking off completed sessions and reviewing your daily progress is key.

Evernote

If you work best in a digital environment, you can use online tools such as Evernote to plan your sessions and keep track of all online references. In Evernote, you can take notes effectively in a style that works best for you.

These steps are all simple and easy to implement, but when used together can help with creating - and maintaining - an effective study session.

5 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS

One of the most essential skills, whether in business or in life, is communication. If you are able to effectively communicate with large groups of people, you’re able to work well in teams or step into leadership roles in business.

But how do you boost your existing communication skills? Here are five of our favourite methods.

1.     Master the basics of nonverbal communication. 

One study found that nonverbal communication made up 55% of how a presenter was perceived by an audience. To communicate nonverbally, focus on your posture and avoid slouching or crossing your arms, as this can make you appear smaller and less confident. Instead, take up space with your body language and maintain eye contact

2.     Engage with your audience.

All audiences have limited attention spans, no matter how confident the speaker is. In order to maintain their focus and attention, take time to ask questions and encourage your audience to speak out and join the discussion where possible.

3.     Know your audience

One of the key focus areas when looking to improve your communication is to know who you’re communicating with. This should include where they’re from, what their interests may be, and their overall personality. This will have an impact on how you communicate with them ~ for example, the stories you tell, references you make and the overall tonality. 

4.     Be concise with your message
Say just enough that you get your point across, without trailing on. Speak less, but more effectively, and listen more than you speak. An easy way to practice this would be to actively listen and think before speaking or responding. It can be a challenging skill to master, but ultimately it’s incredibly effective. 

5.     Learn how to listen

Much like the previous point, listening to your audience ~ and actually hearing what they’re saying ~ is a key skill for an effective communicator, in fact, it’s probably the most important.
While it might seem like listening is a natural part of communication, it still needs an intentional effort. Take the time to listen to what your audience is saying, as well as their nonverbal cues and body language. This will help you understand what they’re feeling and thinking, and will assist you with effective communication.

Refining your communication skills will take time and intentional effort, but will pay off in the long term. 

FIVE REASONS TO STUDY A CERTIFICATE IV IN AGENIG SUPPORT (CHC43015)

When you choose to work in Aged Care, you’re choosing to make a difference to the lives of those who are most at need. Not only are you entering an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding career, but you’re also working in an industry that offers great opportunities and consistent growth. 

If that’s not enough, here are five reasons why you should study a Certificate IV in Ageing Support.

A Growing Industry

The aged care industry is one of the few which is consistently in growth, driven largely by Australia’s ageing population. Because of this, the industry is booming with the number of people requiring aged care set to double by the year 2050 and an estimated 179,000 job openings over the next 5 years.

Location, Location, Location

Gaining your qualification in Aged Care allows you to pick and choose where you want to work. Because the elderly are in need of support Australia-wide, you can follow your adventurous streak and choose to work anywhere in Australia.

Job Satisfaction

Working one-on-one with people from all walks of life, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference to peoples’ lives and impact them in a positive way. Working closely with patients and their family members, and ensuring they receive a high level of care as well as enjoying their lives with dignity, is incredibly rewarding. 

Varied Roles

With no two days the same, a career in Ageing Support is great if you’re someone who loves a varied role. With your duties ranging from checking in on patients, monitoring patient health, meeting with family members and working in care home facilities, this is the perfect option for someone who enjoys variety.

Career Opportunities

A Certificate IV in Ageing Support opens doors to many different career pathways, allowing you to work and specialise in a variety of areas. A few examples are:

• Social Support

• Domestic Assistance

• Palliative Care

• Dementia

• Personal Care

• Assistant in Nursing

• Community Support Worker

Click here to find out more about our Certificate IV in Ageing Care, or contact us today for more information.

WHAT A CAREER AS AN INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT CARER LOOKS LIKE

As an Individual Support Carer, your primary role will be to aid individuals within health and social care settings.Support Care Workers make up a large percentage of the health care workforce, being an invaluable part of teams providing care for those in need.

But what exactly does a career in Individual Support look like?

Place of Work

There’s no ‘set’ place of work for a Support Carer, and each day could offer a different working environment. Some days, you may be visiting members of the community in their own homes on other days you could be working in differing care settings. For some Support Workers, their place of work is in a care home, a mental health clinic, a school, a hospital or in supported housing developments.

Patients

There’s no universal patient for a Support Worker, and often Carers will work with a variety of patients. For example, a Support Carer may work closely with disabled individuals who need help carrying out their day-to-day duties, while others may be providing much-needed support to family members. 

Skills

It takes a certain kind of person to not only be a Support Carer but to thrive in a caregiving environment. A few essential skills are:

• Empathy ~ the ability to empathise with, and understand the unique situations of your patience is incredibly important.

• Patience ~ the job of a Support Carer is to be there for their patients and to let them know that they are heard and understood, especially during difficult and distressing situations.

• Organisation ~ being able to prioritise and organise your schedule is invaluable, especially for those working in a mobile role and needing to visit multiple patients daily.

• Caring ~ this one should go without saying, but having a kind, compassionate and caring nature is essential for the success of a Support Carer as patients need to feel safe and understood in your care.

The Day-to-Day

With each day taking its own shape, and no two being the same, a day in the life of a Support Worker is varied. Duties can include:

• Interviewing and assessing the needs of new clients and family members

• Reporting on assessments 

• Monitoring the health of clients and their medical conditions

• Performing recreational activities with clients

• Maintaining and updating client records

• Providing support and companionship

• Participating in training to further your skills and knowledge

• Supporting clients in their daily activities and tasks, such as cleaning, washing, eating and general mobility.

While the life of a Support Care Worker has its many challenges, it offers an incredibly rewarding career with diverse career paths and a sense of purpose.

If you’re interested in studying to be a Support Care Worker Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

WHAT MAKES STUDYING AT STIRLING INSTITUTE SO REWARDING?

As a student in Melbourne, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to academic institutions, and here at Stirling Institute, we pride ourselves on being amongst the best for post-graduate academic studies.

Our Locations

It’s hard to beat the world’s second ~ formally first ~ most liveable city. With locations across Melbourne, our campuses are on the doorstep of some of the best cafes, libraries, entertainment venues and views that Australia has to offer. With incredibly accessible public transport, our locations are easy to reach by tram or train whether you attend our Southbank or Scoresby campus. Other locations include Ringwood, Fawkner, Dandenong, St. Albans, Echuca, Shepperton and Williams Landing.

Our Teachers

Our faculty are highly trained educators with a passion for teaching and an incredible ability to cater to our students’ needs. At Stirling Institute, our vision is to be known as one of Australia’s best education and training providers, and our educators are committed to excellence and delivering high-quality education achieved through actively tailoring our training for people from diverse backgrounds. At Stirling Institute, we’re proud to say that we champion diversity and encourage all too apply for our courses.

Our Misson

Our mission is simple. We aim to empower our students ~ and wider organisations ~ to realise their potential and maximise their capacities. We focus our efforts on encouraging all students to identify and achieve their aspirations tough the investment in our people and courses to support real employment outcomes. Our highest priority of all is uncompromising safety. We provide an environment where children and adults are safe and their voices are heard.

Our Work Placements

One of our most celebrated achievements is the relationships we’ve built with workplaces and organisations across Melbourne. Because of these relationships, we’re able to offer our students high-quality and industry-relevant work placements for a range of career pathways including horticulture, aged care, allied health, individual care and business.

Your Career Opportunities

Thorugh some of the best work placements available, in conjunction with our highly skilled educators, you will gain skills that dramatically increase not only your employability but will equip you with the practical knowledge to succeed. We believe that our training sets us apart, and our students are proof of that.

If you’re interested in learning more about studying at Stirling Institute, you can contact us directly at this email address, or contact us here.

FIVE WAYS TO RESEARCH MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY

Whether you love it or hate it, research is a fundamental part of education, from your early school days through to any further education you may undertake.

Some find the prospect of research daunting, largely due to the perceived enormity of the task but, luckily for them, there are ways to make research more efficient and effective without wasting hours. 

1. Create a Research Plan

An important first step of any undertaking is to go into it with a clear plan. Without a plan in place, it’s easy to let the hours roll by without any reference point for how much should have been accomplished. 

To create your plan, break down your research into achievable steps and set aside time for each part of the plan. From this, you should be able to determine how long the total research portion of your study should take.

1. Set a Schedule

Once your plan has been created, determine the deadlines needed for your research and tasks. Once you have this, divide your research into small chunks of time and stick to the,. If you find yourself going well over your allocated time, perhaps your research plan needs slight adjustments. 

An example would be to break your research into time slots, such as allocating a full day to each topic, or breaking a topic into smaller hourly time slots. 

It’s also important to allow extra time for checking your sources and organising any research material you may need.

1. Focussed Research and Reading 

A key component of any research project is selecting the best sources, as it would not be possible to read every book, paper or article on a particular subject. 

A good method is to skim read a few relevant sources and choose the few that offer the most informative research. We also suggest thoroughly checking the references given in sources.

1. Take Notes Effectively 

Note Taking is a skill in itself, and effective research relies heavily on strong and effective note taking skills. It may seem as simple as writing down your learnings, but you’ll need to ensure that your notes are easily understood in a week or a month. 

Practice striking a key balance between speed and accuracy by using shorthand and common abbreviations, summarising key passages and making thorough notes of author names and sources for later reference.

1. Organisation is Key

The final piece of the puzzle is great organisation. Once you’ve written your study notes, spent hours coding them and making notes of all sources, the next step is to create an efficient filing system and stick to it. We recommend using coloured labels and folders, organising your notes alphabetically or by topic and labeling digital folders accurately. 

It’s also essential that your research space - be it in your home study or a library - is tidy and organised to help you avoid distractions. 

FIVE DESK STRETCHES

For some, studying from home is usually done from the dining table, kitchen counter or even the bed - though we definitely don’t recommend the bed for study. As a result, you may be suffering a strain in your shoulders, neck or back after a long day of study.

To help ease your muscles, we’re sharing our five favourite desk stretches to help alleviate the stress your muscles are facing, and help boost your productivity.

1. Spinal Rotation

• While seated, cross your arms over your chest.

• Grab your shoulders.

• Rotate your upper body from the waist, turning gently from left to right as far as you can.

• You should feel tension on both sides of your lower back as it stretches out.

2. Shoulder Stretch

• Hold one arm across your body.

• Pull your elbow into your chest.

• You should feel your shoulder gently stretching.

3. Upper Shoulder and Neck Stretch

• Sit on one hand.

• Tilt your head away from the hand you’re sitting on.

• Tilt your head slightly forward, towards your shoulder.

• You should feel the muscles in your neck and shoulder being stretched.

• Change sides, and repeat.

4. Neck Rotations

• Keep your head upright.

• Gently turn your head from side to side.

• As you turn your head, try to move it past your shoulder.

• You should feel the muscles on the outside of your neck gradually stretching.

5. Back Extensions

• Sit straight with your feet together.

• Put the palms of your hands into the small of your back.

• Lean back over your hands, feeling your lower back stretch out.

To help ease the muscular strain from sitting for long periods of time, focus on your posture while seated at a desk. Ensure that your hips are above your knees, that your back is against your seat and that your shoulders are relaxed. It’s also important to ensure that the items on your desk are within reach to ensure you aren’t reaching across and putting added strain on your lower back. 

ROLE OF AGED CARE WORKERS

One of the most important roles in the Allied Health industry is that of Aged Care workers. With job opportunities in Aged Care expected to increase by 25.4% over the next 5 years - and an estimated 179,000 open positions - the industry is booming like no other.

With that said, what exactly is the role of an Aged Care worker?

Aged Care workers are tasked with arranging and facilitating activities designed to enhance different kinds of wellbeing, for example social, physical and emotional. Aged Care workers ensure their clients are properly cared for, happy and well connected.

However, there are many different positions in the industry which cater to the many different personalities and skills of workers. For example, there are careers in frontline support, admin, HR and catering, as well as corporate and managerial roles.

Tasks and Responsibilities May Include:

• Feeding, showering, dressing and administering medications.

• Preparing meals and drinks.

• Tidying and cleaning, including sanitising activities.

• Engaging with family members to offer observations, instructions and updates.

• Assisting with mobility, providing transport to and from medical appointment and light physiotherapy exercises.

• Providing social support, such as escorting the client on outings to cafes, shops and going on excursions.

• Following health and safety guidelines.

In order to succeed in a career in Aged Care, there are several skills required. These include:

• A caring and supportive attitude 

• Good communication skills

• Patience and discretion

• Physical fitness

• A positive outlook

• A high level of professionalism

• Natural empathy towards the elderly and disabled

A career in Aged Care is more than just a ‘job’ to many. It’s an opportunity to work closely with people from all walks of life and bring genuine joy to someone’s day. It offers you the chance to enhance somebody’s life, whether that’s by caring for them in their own home or a residential care facility and providing them with the highest possible quality of care.

We can help bring your dream of a career in Aged Care to life. 

Learn more about our Certificate III in Individual Support – Ageing (CHC33015) here, or contact us directly via email.

HOW TO CREATE A WORK FROM HOME ROUTINE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR STUDIES

One of the many perks to studying - and working - from home is the flexibility when it comes to managing your daily schedule and your time. However, when you’re planning your daily schedule around studying and time efficiency, it’s important to implement a work-from-home schedule that supports your studies.

So just how do you plan your routine?

Create a Study Space

Allocating a specific area of your house helps to create a working environment. While it can be tempting to study from your bed or from the sofa, these spaces are often more associated with relaxation. Therefore, a dedicated study area helps you to mentally stay focussed on the tasks at hand.

Plan Your Day

Taking 5-10 minutes from your morning to review your daily tasks and plan your day accordingly can help you to stay focussed and add structure to your day. It is also helpful to plan your biggest daily study sessions for when you know you’ll have the most energy. For some, that may be in the morning, while for others the afternoon is more productive.

Take Breaks

Intense and prolonged periods of study can quickly lead to mental burnout, and for this reason, it’s important to allow yourself regular study breaks. An example could be 45 minutes of intense, focussed study followed by 15 minutes of rest.

Get Outdoors

Allowing yourself 20-30 minutes of fresh air is essential for a clear and focussed mind, while Vitamin D is known to have the added benefit of helping to boost your immunity and reduce stress. 

Attempt a Digital Detox in the Evenings

While technology is wonderful for keeping us connected to our friends and family, it can make it hard to switch off in the evenings and separate study and home life. Taking time off in the evenings can help you to recharge and have a deeper and more restful sleep.  

STUDYING IN TEAMS VIA CORRESPONDENCE

STUDYING IN TEAMS VIA CORRESPONDENCE

A recent challenge faced by students on a global scale is tackling not only remote study but also remote study in a team environment. Studying in a group has many well-documented benefits, such as reduced procrastination, increased interpersonal skills, faster learning and exposure to new perspectives. 

With this in mind, it’s essential for students to remain active in study groups while studying remotely from home. Below we’ve listed our favourite tools for studying via correspondence.

Slack

Between all the available apps and messaging platforms, team communication can quickly become messy.

Using Slack to create a cohesive team chat is a great way to house all your team communications, along with documents such as study materials and notes.

Zoom

Video conferencing apps, such as Zoom, allow many users to join a shared video call. One of the many benefits of Zoom is its interface, which highlights the main speaker at any given time making it easier to share ideas amongst the team.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a free cloud-based platform, allowing users to store documents, spreadsheets and slide presentations and share them with selected individuals. Incredibly useful for sharing with team members, it also allows live editing; enabling multiple team members to make and add notes simultaneously.

Todoist

With several available options for planning a task list, Todist is our favourite for its ease of use and accessibility. Available as a standalone web app as well as a Chrome plugin, Todoist makes planning and managing your tasks easy and effective.

Evernote

Perfect for online note taking, Evernote allows users to create notes, which can be text, drawings, photographs, or saved web content, which is ideal for when you need to create and reference study notes.

With many online applications to choose from, it’s worth looking into which will be most effective for you in your particular team environment. 

If you have others to add that students may find helpful, we’d love you to leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

WHY PLANNING YOUR DAY IS SO VALUABLE

Do you ever find at the end of the day that you’ve completed little of your to-do list? Or perhaps that you’ve achieved nothing noteworthy? If you find this happening, it’s likely due to going into your day without a cohesive and structured plan. We’re sharing our favourite tips for planning your day, staying focussed, and achieving your goals.

1.    Write Out Your Plan Daily

Step one of having a plan - unsurprisingly - is to physically write out your plan. This helps you with time management, time allocation and project management.

Be mindful not to overwhelm yourself, and to only write down what you realistically know you can achieve. Make a list of your top three priorities, and then any additional tasks that you’ll accomplish too. 

2.     Set Your Daily Plan At The Same Time Each Day

Planning at the same time daily helps to create a routine. It doesn’t matter whether you plan your day in the morning or the night before, but sticking to that allocated time fosters a positive habit that you’re more likely to stick to.

3.     Divide Your Tasks

Make two separate lists - one for work tasks and another for personal tasks. You can then allocate time for each task during the day in a single timeline, (e.g emails at 9 am, laundry at 10 am) or alternatively, you can create separate lists for each. However, if you choose to keep them separate, make sure to keep track of each and not to overlap your tasks.

4.    Start Easy

Beginning your day with 3 easily achievable tasks will help to set you up for success. Psychologically, if you’re able to complete a few tasks quickly in the morning, you’re more likely to continue your day in a productive mindset, believe that you can achieve what you set out to do.

5.    Refer Back Often

Actively referring back to your list and making mental notes of your time taken to complete tasks, where you’re at on your current timeline and whether you’re on track to achieve your goals helps to keep you focussed and productive. It helps to keep your list somewhere easily accessible, such as on a pad of paper by your computer, or on your phone notes app.

5 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Maintaining a healthy immune system should always be a priority, but it’s more important than ever in the face of the current Coronavirus pandemic. Your immune system is made up of cells in your skin, blood, bone marrow, tissues, and organs that protect your body against potentially harmful pathogens - such as viruses. 

Our 5 favourite ways to boost your immunity include:

1.    Head Outside for a Walk

Regular low impact exercises help protect against head colds and boost your immune system and are known to lower your risk of developing chronic diseases (such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease).

Exercise also releases endorphins, which is great for managing and reducing stress levels.

2.    Eat a Balanced Diet

Ensuring your diet comprises of plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein-rich foods is essential for keeping your immune system functioning properly. Research suggests that adding Vitamin C to your diet - a vitamin that our bodies do not naturally produce - is effective in decreasing the likelihood of illnesses. 

To fully support your immune health, focus on a diet rich in plants and plant-based foods. Examples are soups, stews, smoothies and salads.

3.    Effectively Manage Stress Levels

High levels of stress increase your body’s cortisol levels which have a negative effect on your immune system. In everyday life, small doses of cortisol have a beneficial effect on your body by preventing your immune system from responding before the stressful event is over (for example, exercise), which allows your body to respond to the immediate stressor.
However, when cortisol is elevated for long periods of time, it essentially blocks the immune system from kicking into gear to protect the body against germs. Bacteria and viruses.

4.    Set a Regular Sleep Schedule

New studies suggest that 7-9 hours of restful sleep allows the immune system to restore itself. When you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system isn’t able to produce essential immune cells, such as cytokines (a protein that can fight or promote inflammation). This leads to your body being less able to defend itself from germs, bacteria and viruses, and increases your likelihood of illness. 

Sleep deprivation also increases your cortisol levels (the stress hormone) which as we’ve learnt, is not good for your immune system.

5.    Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking enough water is incredibly important, as it aids digestion and prevents pathogens from entering the body. Keeping hydrated helps your body naturally eliminate toxins and bacteria that cause illness, and help to keeps immunity high. It’s recommended that you drink 2.1 - 2.6 litres of water per day.

GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE

GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE

Packed full of nutrient-dense ingredients, our favourite green smoothie is perfect for boosting your immunity and helping prevent illness. 

A great source of Vitamins A, C, K and B6, along with calcium, potassium, manganese and folate, adding this smoothie to your morning routine is the perfect healthy start to your day.

Ingredients: 

1 Cup of Spinach or Kale roughly chopped 

1 1/2 Cups of Unsweetened Almond Milk 

1 Cup Frozen Mango Chunks 

1 Teaspoon of Almond 

1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Grated Ginger 

1/2 Teaspoon Lemon Juice 

Method: 

Simply add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend for 40 seconds until thick and creamy.  Serve in a glass and enjoy!

We’d love to see your smoothies ~ tag us in your pictures on Instagram @sia.edu.au 

Photo Credit: Pinterest.Com