These days, creating a sustainable “work-life balance” feels as elusive as a unicorn, but it’s an absolute necessity to ensure you are still whole and healthy by the time we get to The Other Side of the pandemic. A recent article by Rebecca Pope-Ruark in Inside Higher Ed lays out several doable strategies for college teachers managing their own stress as they tend to the needs of their students, and is worth a read. If you only have five minutes, these four questions she poses may steer you in the direction of prioritizing your own well-being:
- What fills your cup and gives you energy? What can you do from home to recreate these energizing activities or moments?
- How might you design a morning routine that eases you into work at the start of your day and an afternoon ritualthat shuts down your workday?
- What activities can you plan for the times you are “off the clock” (for example, taking a walk, doing a puzzle or paint-by-number, playing a game with your children)?
- What can you not do? What can you put on hold for the time being so that you can focus on priorities and well-being?
If you have a favorite tip for taking care of yourself in these oddest of days, the Teaching & Learning Collaborative is all ears, and happy to compile a treasure chest full of these lifesaving nuggets. Send your shareable tip(s) to Karen Eifler, eifler@up.edu.