August Wellness Spotlight
Returning to Campus
Breaks (be they for the winter holidays, in the spring, or during the summer) provide a much-needed opportunity to recover and catch your breath, but they also represent a major disruption to your routine. If properly utilized, long breaks can be an excellent chance to re-focus, but you will need to be sure that the temporary pause will not impact your ability to instruct. Diving back into the routine can cause anxiety and distress, in this wellness spotlight, we provide guidance and tips to help ease the transition back to campus.
Prepare Ahead of Time
As with most aspects of the teaching profession, preparation makes everything easier. When things are mapped out and plans are made ahead of time, you greatly reduce stress and the potential for something to go wrong. It takes a lot of time outside of school hours to ensure you’re properly prepared. Don’t wait until the last moment to prepare for the school year. Here are a few things you can do to get yourself back into the teaching frame of mind:
- Read education books, resources, and blogs to spark inspiration for the year ahead
- Meet up with a friend from work to chat about the upcoming year and share stories, tips, and ideas
- Read through your old notes, workbooks, and journals
Sort Out Those ZZZZZs
After a few weeks of irregular late nights, it will probably catch up with you once you’re back to waking up before sunrise before going to campus. Sleep is essential to our health and wellbeing – it helps us recover from illnesses, keeps our brains working to its best and helps us feel energized. A week before you get into your regular teaching schedule, go back to your school sleep pattern. It should help it to not be such a shock on the first day of the new year.
Find Ways to Connect with Coworkers
Throughout the upcoming fall semester, we encourage you to make an effort to reach out to your coworkers, faculty and staff members, and friends. Take a few minutes during your day to catch up with a colleague or plan a lunch meeting with members of your work team.
Getting Back in the Groove of Things
Creating a routine gives us predictability and structure which can reduce stress and anxiety. It is an important part of amplifying productivity and performance in the workplace. Include scheduled breaks throughout your day. This can include taking a walk outside (weather permitting) or listening to some of your favorite songs. When it comes to transitioning back to UND’s campus, stick with a routine that helps you feel your best.
It’s OK to Ask for Help
Getting back into the swing of things can be a hard transition for many. It is important to understand and acknowledge where you’re at and if needed, chat with a friend, family member, or mental health professional about productive ways to feel comfortable returning to campus.
Mental Health Resources
- Community Violence Intervention Center: 701.746.0405 (days) 701.749.8900
- Northeast Human Service Center: 795.3000
- Northeast Human Service Center Crisis Line: 701.775.0525
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK (8255) (24 hrs/day)
- Text Telephone: 1.800.799.4TTY (1.800.799.4889)
- Suicide Hotline in Spanish: 1.888.628.9454
