Managing Stress and Promoting Self-Care

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During the Creative Approaches to Eliciting Relaxation workshop, the presenter reviewed the importance of stress management as well as techniques that could be used to facilitate stress management. It was enlightening to receive this reminder on how failing to address our stress as leaders may impact our work, and even lead to harmful effects such as burnout. As a leader, it can be easy to slip into a pattern of putting the work first and serving others first, thus falling into a pattern of failing to serve and take care of myself. Fortunately, this event prompted me to think about how my stress may be impacting me, and how I may improve the quality of my work and leadership by taking steps to integrate self-care into my daily routine. By practicing the discussed stress management techniques such as deep breathing as well as meditation, I have been able to improve my productivity as well as my general happiness. I hope to pass on this important lesson to others around me such as students I may be mentoring or clients that I may work with.

 

Using What I Learned to Lead

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As I occupy several roles on campus, I believe the LLS has allowed me to improve my performance in practicing leadership in these roles. Having had over a year of experience in the ERP Lab for example, I am aware that there are times where I will hold more responsibility than newer lab members, and that newer lab members may look to me for guidance. Thus, skills I have learned in the LLS such as managing risk and mentoring students have been directly conductive to me helping my fellow lab members. I now feel more competent in planning for potential failure, for example helping my lab member's keep in mind contingency plans for if certain procedures with study participants do not follow through as expected. When lab members approach me for advice regarding graduate school, I feel as if I have more to offer as a result of the Thinking about Graduate School? panel. On a more general level, I also feel better equipped to accommodate to others, as The Social Model of Disability lecture provided me insight regarding this minority group. While it may seem insignificant, I believe even small actions that I have done as a result, such as placing a statement on willingness to accommodate those with disabilities on event flyers that I have prepared, set an example for how we should be handling differences as leaders.