The School of Health & Social Care

Occupational Therapy: Advice for Bournemouth University Staff on managing stress and staying healthy

Check out the leaflets and posters on the OT stall - take one to put up in your office.
Are you suffering from mild, moderate or severe stress?

Take time to complete the Balance of Occupations chart available on the stall or download it here (PDF 116 kb).

Why not attend the restoration session on Thursday 6th. Download poster (PDF 507 kb) for more details.

They do take practice so keep at them.

Productivity

Working in Higher Education can be very stressful. There are many conflicting demands on your time and targets to meet.
Here are some suggestions to make your work life more manageable.
Make sure you have an annual appraisal – by doing so you can reflect on your achievements over the past year and organise priorities for the next. In some cases this may mean you have to negotiate changes to the balance of your workload in order to achieve your objectives. Your manager should help you to do this.
Make good use of your diary to plan your time and use to-do lists to keep track of all your tasks.
Take a look at your workspace – a bit of personalisation can improve your motivation.
Make sure you take breaks and eat lunch - this might mean learning to say no (not always easy but sometimes necessary).
Organise regular meetings within your department – keeping up to date with each other helps you feel part of a team and allows you to ask for help if needed.
Try and speed up routine processes – make use of templates for regular activities – share them with colleagues. Some time spent making a marking feedback sheet for example can save time in the long run but increase feedback to students. Constantly sending e-mails on one topic – make a template.
Set yourself career goals and break these down into achievable steps.
Set your mobile alarm for the time you want to go home and leave when it goes off! This one might take some practice.
Remember you aren’t superhuman and that there are only 24 hours in a day.
If you are still struggling there are support systems in place within the university – please take some time to review the links below.

Pleasure

Make sure you take your annual leave - Go travelling to some far flung destination or just catch up with yourself.
Laugh – Try taking it in turns to tell each other jokes.
Why not take 5 minutes during each working day to do something fun, write a poem, draw a picture, finish a crossword or make a list of things to do at the weekend or when you retire!
Listen to music when on the computer – as well as blocking out noise in busy offices, music can increase mood and motivation. Watch the singing though!
Make sure you spend quality time with friends and family.
Celebrate your birthday – no need to let on your age (if you don’t want to) but if you are at work make sure you take time to celebrate you and make people sing!

Restoration

Sleep
Why not try a 5 minute cat nap after lunch.
Bring in something nice to eat – vary your lunch.
Make sure you drink enough – carry a water bottle with you.
Reflect – take some time to review your achievements and to investigate when things go to plan. A reflection accompanied by a good action plan can prevent negative situations happening again or make positive situations more likely to be repeated.
Make a list/collage of compliments and positive feedback you receive from colleagues or students. Something to look at when you need a motivation or mood boost.
Try some gentle exercise – something like pilates or tai-chi.
Do some quiet focus activities, e.g. crafts, writing, reading.
Make sure you leave adequate time for self-care – why not have a relaxing aromatherapy bath once a week.
Practice mindfulness meditation (more on this in Thursday’s session)

Support Structures