Championing collective excellence.
by Lynne Lafave, Department of Health and Physical Education
Professions like education, with heavy human interactions, are prone to experiencing stress and burnout (1). Our stress in post-secondary tends to peak just as we approach the end of term with pressures of marking and course finalization preparations. While we may practice good self-care during the year, in this time crunch portion of the term, these habits tend to give way to less supportive patterns.
Health research indicates that under stress, we increase our consumption of unhealthy snacks, caffeine, and fast food coupled with less physical activity and increased sedentary time (2, 3). Due to academic demands, there is an increase of late nights and less sleep. These choices appear to be motivated by immediate gratification, or desperation, in our pursuit to manage the stress.
So — are our instincts for comfort food, skipping the sweat, and late nights effective in soothing our stressors? Sadly, it appears that these instincts are not leading us in the right direction. Diets high in processed foods, fat, and sugar as well as physical inactivity combined with sedentary behaviour can contribute to psychological distress (3, 4). Additionally, poor sleep quality is associated with an increase in work-related stress (5). These all appear to contribute to a “vicious cycle” whereby our stress begets poor food, activity and sleep choice which then contributes to more stress.
What is a professor to do? Focus on the basics: eat well, move well, sleep well.
Diets rich in vegetables, berries, whole grains, and nuts are implicated in the reduction of depressive symptoms and improved cognitive function (6, 7). Engaging in physical activity is related to improved mood and a reduction in perceived stress often leading to sustained physical activity over multiple days, and continued positive affect (3). Quality sleep allows the brain to reset, enhancing cognitive functioning the following day (8).
Practical Tips
Eat well
Move well
Sleep well