LEARNING

Learning

While online classes have become commonplace, you might not think about learning hands-on skills online. Everything from plumbing to playing the guitar can now be learned online, thanks to technology.

If you know where to look, you can learn anything online. Here are some ideas to get you started on picking up a new skill virtually.

Music

Websites such as GuitarTricks.com and JamPlay.com offer lessons on everything from music theory to master courses by famous artists. The former even offers one-on-one lessons for an added fee. You can also check YouTube for videos to get you started, but at a certain point, you’ll want to progress to more advanced materials offered by sites that specialize in online music learning.

The app Synthesia is something akin to Guitar Hero for learning to play piano. You’ll need a keyboard and an adapter to connect the keyboard to your computer. The app then analyzes your playing to help you master accuracy, timing and more. It’s a great way for visual learners to get started with learning piano.

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Home Improvement

If you’ve always wanted to get comfortable completing home improvement projects, the web offers endless resources for doing jobs big and small — from fi xing a leaky faucet to building a new deck. Some places to start watching videos include BobVila.com and FamilyHandyman.com. They break projects down into small steps and provide advice and tips on tools and equipment, as well as technique.

For some inspiration, you can check our Imgur.com’s online DIY channel at imgur. com/r/DIY, where hobbyists post step-by-step photos of their home projects.

Arts and Crafts

SkillShare.com is an online portal where you can sign up for a membership that allows you to learn a wide variety of art sand crafts skills, including graphic design, illustration, photography, writing, music, sewing and more. Classes are usually less than two hours long and are typically taught by professionals with training in their fi eld. You could even consider signing up to teach yourself, in order to share your skills with others. Udemy. com is a similar platform with course offerings that include health and nutrition, pet training, gaming, beauty, cooking and many more.

Healthy Habits

Getting Good Sleep

Getting good, quality sleep is essential to a healthy life. Not enough sleep can cause many mental and physical issues. Here are some tips to help you get better quality sleep at night.

Make a Sleep Schedule

You should sleep for no more than eight hours each night although the recommended amount for adults is seven hours. Most adults in the United States don’t even sleep seven hours. Setting a sleep schedule begins with setting a time to go to bed and setting a time to wake up. Creating a sleep schedule also creates a sleep cycle in your body; being consistent will help your body’s sleep cycle line up.

How to Fall asleep

Have you ever tossed and turned in bed struggling to sleep at night? If you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes of lying down in bed, leave your room and do something that relaxes you.

You can read a book, listen to soothing music or sit down and draw. As soon as you feel tired, go back to bed. Repeat this as many times as it takes for you to fi nally fall asleep. Do not watch television. Although this can be relaxing, it is easier to be tempted to stay up and watch what ever series you may be binging.

Limit Naps

If you ever fi nd yourself tired throughout the day and feel the need to take a nap, don’t. Daytime naps can interfere with your sleep cycle, causing you to be wide awake at night. If you do need to take a nap, lay down for 30 minutes. Avoid napping if it’s close to whatever time you are scheduled to go to bed.

Get Your Worries Out

Sometimes your thoughts and stress can keep you up at night. Try and get rid of those thoughts or worries by solving them or writing your feelings down into a journal to get them out of your head.

Find a relaxing activity such as reading, drawing or painting you can do close to when you are scheduled to sleep to help relax you and destress you.

You deserve a good night’s sleep. We can help.

If you find it hard to sleep restfully each night, your health could be at risk. Rest assured. Our sleep medicine experts offer the skills and technology to provide the right diagnosis and treatment. If you are bothered by snoring, morning headaches and high blood pressure – or if you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea – you may benefit from a sleep study. Talk with your healthcare provider about a referral to our sleep lab. Home sleep studies are available.

Learn more at kansashealthsystem.com/pawneevalley.

Pawnee Valley Campus

Hospital 923 Carroll Ave. Larned, KS 67550 620-285-3161