Top picks for March 2024
The wellbeing of staff and the University’s supportive role often take a back seat. Yet, by tapping into available resources and taking small steps, we can shore up our resilience. Join us this month to boost awareness and attentiveness towards our own wellbeing, aiding ourselves, our tāuira (students), and our community.
Self-care toolkit for teachers
Seven Strategies for Embracing the Emotional Labor of Teaching
Dive into Ashley Harvey’s insights on emotional labor in teaching. It’s a guide to enhancing your teaching with improved self-awareness and empathy.
Image credit: DC Studio on freepik
Academic Wellbeing on THE Campus
Discover a treasure trove of blog posts for academics, including a recent standout piece by Rushana Khusainova on balancing academic work and life. Perfect for a guilt-free mental reset.
Rethink Stress Intervention
Stanford’s Mind and Body Lab offers a transformative self-help course on stress. Six modules packed with mindset strategies await you – ideal for a reflective coffee break.
Teaching Today Podcast
The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand brings expert conversations on teacher wellbeing and professional boundaries to your ears. For your daily stroll in a park.
Resilient Educator
A comprehensive blog with a wealth of strategies dedicated to teacher wellbeing.
UoA Staff Wellbeing Resources
Visit our University of Auckland’s central website for mental health, featuring resources and access to the Employee Assistance Programme – a confidential counselling service to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Resources from organisations and networks
Education Support UK
A hub of educator guides, simplifying complex wellbeing and mental health topics. Ideal for quick reads and actionable insights.
The Education Hub NZ
Another go-to for materials on teacher resilience, including a few webinars.
Be You Educator Wellbeing
The dedicated page on Be You site offers a well-organised resource bank for educators. Be You is part of the Australian Beyond Blue initiative, designed to support the social and emotional wellbeing of children and youth in educational environments.
Enhancing Student Wellbeing: Resources for University Educators
Participate in online modules from this Australian collaborative project designed to enhance student mental health support through education. The project has five empowering online learning modules: Student Wellbeing, Curriculum Design, Teaching Strategies, Difficult Conversations, and Your Wellbeing. I you wish, a perfect learning opportunity for your next break.
MHFA England
Access a variety of mental health resources, including self-care toolkits and stress management tools like the interactive ‘stress container’. These free materials are great for enriching your mental health support system.
Image credit: MHFA England
Mental Health Foundation (NZ)
Discover practical tips for stress reduction and anxiety management. Their printable ‘cheat sheet’ is a convenient reminder for daily stress-busting techniques.
Wellbeing insights and inspirations
Kindness as Water in the University
University of Auckland scholars weave essay, story, and poem into a compelling narrative that both articulates kindness ‘in the shape of its absence’ and explores the potential of the University as a nurturing ground for educational kindnesses.
Freire’s Transformative Wisdom
Immerse yourself in UoA’s Professor of Education Peter O’Connor’s engaging review of ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed’ (what he calls the perfect read for moments when you’re seeking professional direction). We endorse his recommendation: “So treat yourself, fill the bathtub, make some tea and snacks, and jump into Freire.”
Who Are You?
Take a break to watch this adorable animation about creative crisis, loneliness and inspiration.
Image credit: Our Digital Box
Digital Catharsis
Safely vent emotions into the digital expanse. A therapeutic release without compromising privacy. Remember to share your emotional responses, not your private data.
Finally, do something pleasurable and enjoyable, even if you can only find 15 minutes a day for that. Best of all, turn off this screen, move away from your desk, and engage in a physical activity, even as simple as deep breathing while popping bubble wrap.