Well-being...A Guiding Value for the School of Leadership Studies

On this Bell Let’s Talk Day, I am grateful for my colleagues in the School of Leadership Studies who are committed to creating and sustaining a work environment that supports the well-being of all. It is a guiding value that encourages self-care and regular check-ins with colleagues to see how they are doing and how we might support one another. When asked what fills your cup, i.e. what self-care practices or activities do you engage in to promote positive mental health and well-being, here is what some SoLS faculty and staff shared.

Every Action Counts…

Carol

• Going outside with the dogs when they insist we take a break!

• Stepping away for lunch and trying not to keep working through

• Getting my craft and art on!

Catherine

• I find having a morning and evening routine particularly helpful. I call this routine my personal leadership practice. This practice changes throughout the year to keep me motivated and interested. In general, I have a mental inventory of several daily self-care rituals and possibilities that bring me joy and increase my physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. If I do a handful of them throughout the day, I find I have greater capacity for patience, compassion, and courage.

• I’m really enjoying my morning meditation practice and have recently been re-inspired by my favourite meditation teacher, Heather Martin. 

• I’ve also come across a Qi Gong instructor out of Vancouver named Westley Salter. He’s put together a series of short (less than 10 minute) videos called Qi Gong for the Busy Bee which can be done any time and any place, even while standing in front of my computer. I always have a good chuckle and feel great afterwards, even with such a short practice!

Cheryl

With a little one, I’m finding it more challenging to do the things I used to do to bring me calm e.g. writing in my journal, meditating, running, and cycling. These days, I’m finding joy and laughter in the small things -- playing with my son and giving/receiving snuggles. We are also really enjoying walking to see the ducks and spending time in nature. Each evening, I also sing the Buddist Metta (Loving kindness) prayer to my son, and throughout the day I take three deep breaths to return me back to centre.

Kathy

• Every morning I wake up before the sun comes up. I take this time to re-enter into the world and welcome the day. I engage in creative activities like painting, poetry, dance, meditation, walking in the woods, and setting intentions for the day. All before 8am. 

• For workplace wellbeing, I have rejigged my ways of working to match this new reality. I schedule  meetings in the afternoon and focus deeply on action items in the morning. I do  walking meetings on the phone to have time outdoors and away from the computer. 

• I find new ways of playing and laughing with family, friends, colleagues, and in wild spaces in nature. 

• I seek to embrace each moment and flow with it as it is. 

Lila

Sitting down by the ocean listening to the waves.

Lisa

• Intentionally welcoming my children back into the house and connecting with them after school, despite competing work priorities.

• Exercise every day at the same time, accompanied by looking outdoors frequently (20/20/20 rule) and sticking my head outside when I can to breath the fresh air.

• Ultimately, routine helps me both accomplish important pieces for myself and others, but also allows me to see the “gaps” of time I have to relax/reflect.

Michelle

• Exercise (walks outside or even exercise inside if that is my option on a particular day)

• Staying connected with people (even virtually or text etc.)

Niels - Important to me:

• A walk every evening with my wife, Dorothy, where we can debrief each day.

• Getting enough sleep is essential for me to be at my best in my interactions with others!

• A daily “gratitude practice”  (from Joan McArthur-Blair & Jeanie Cockell, Building Resilience with Appreciative Inquiry - website here), by asking “What am I grateful for today?” 

• Asking additional questions:

  • “Who am I connecting with today?” With parents in their 90s in Victoria, (and where Dorothy and I do their weekly shopping), I usually check in with them at some point in the early evening.
  • “What beauty am I either creating, cultivating, or inviting in today?” (from photographer Brooke Anderson - see here).

Two answers about beauty:

• My colleagues and my students in the capstones are working on amazing projects helping create more perfect organizations in their communities and addressing injustice. I gain inspiration from helping them create beauty in the world, and do their work more effectively; and,

• I try to take photographs as often as possible. Included here are two photos from the last week, one of the Victoria inner harbour sailboats (top photo); the other of a cherry tree in blossom in front of the Victoria Convention Centre on January 24.

Sherry

I have several small rituals that inject joy and/or calm into my days - morning coffee in front of the fireplace or outside in the sunshine on my front bench in the summer; settling into bed at the end of the day and being mindful of feeling my body relax; using solo time in the car to blast a favourite song and sing along when no teenagers are in sight to raise their eyebrows! I’m also very aware these days of how spending time in nature makes me feel infinitely happier. Exploring outdoors, hiking and biking all inspire a sense of childlike freedom and fun, providing a welcome escape and restoring my capacity for handling life’s stressors. Finally, connecting with others and nurturing those relationships that inspire me to be the best version of myself, helps me to feel strong, positive and hopeful for the future.

Steve

• A giant glass of water first thing in the morning, and lots of water throughout the day.

• Getting outside for a wander and connecting with nature.

• Taking time for my hobbies.

• Eating healthy meals and snacks, but allowing myself a treat every now and then.

• Laughing every day.

• Staying connected to friends and family.

• Keeping tabs on how much news I consume.

Wanda

A synopsis of my practices for wellbeing: in the morning - meditate for at least a few minutes, check in on my state, do something physiologically good for my body, spirit and mind for 4 to 5 min., while brewing fresh coffee, eat healthy in the morning, spend time with family, chatting or whatever while getting ready. I then network with people locally to different parts of the world, even if just one, simply to connect. I then drive with my daughter to school to check in some more and mostly listen to music together. 

At the end of the day, before dark, I walk up a small hill and down for about 45 min. Being in nature is critical for my wellbeing. Also winding down with sharing in cooking a healthy dinner. Then usually play chess for fun.

My wellbeing and sense of accomplishment relates to family, close friends, and work to support student learning and wellbeing.

Wendy

• My morning ritual of taking the puppy outside and then coffee over early morning news (TV or newspaper) helps me to orient to the day. 

• Meditation is mostly a hot shower activity...nothing like water to calm and focus the mind

• Checking email helps me to organize and prepare for the workload and “to dos” of the day. I’m a list maker which helps me to manage duties and responsibilities and gives me satisfaction at the end of the day. 

• An hour of jazzercise or other form of active exercise wakes up my body

• Walks in the beautiful forests,  parks and ocean beaches near my home with a friend or my daughter/son helps to bring balance to any day both physically and mentally. I am forever in gratitude for the safety and beauty of northwest Canada/US.

• Staying socially connected to close friends around the world keeps one’s perspective on what really matters in the world. 

How are you taking care of yourself?

What support are you lending to others?

What conversations are happening in your workplace around mental health and well-being?