21 February 2010
By Elizabeth Dodson
Recently I have been drowning a little in work, not just because a hoard of project deadlines are coming at once, but because I have been trying to boost my CV with extra training that I hope will be useful in my long term career. To fit all this in I’ve worked multiple weekends in a row, knowing that by April, everything will be far less hectic (I should even be able to claw back some time). What I didn’t realise was how much I needed to take a break right now.
I never thought I’d be thankful for sustaining an injury, but having taken a fall that left me on crutches, I got official orders to take a rest – at least for the weekend! So I relaxed and forgot all work for two blissful days, spending my weekend reading novels back to back - having read nothing but work related texts for what seems like months.
It made me realise how easily I’d let the work life balance slip, and how much I need to reclaim it. I’m quite happy that there is a blurring between work life and home life as I’m very interested in the research I do and time flexibility works both ways – however I do need to be more aware of how important it is just to step away from the laptop and re-energise without waiting for physical incapacitation to give me the excuse!
Sarah Davies21 February 2010 at 08:48 PM
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Wow - it sounds to me like you're working far too hard. I hate to congratulate you on an injury, but it seems like it's worked out for the best. I know that I wouldn't survive if I didn't take time out to read novels and drink coffee! The question this post raises, though, is that - given most of us don't break a leg in the middle of stressful periods - what is the cost of academic life in terms of exhaustion and mental illness? How many people, not having an excuse to slow down, simply don't before their bodies and minds give up?
Sarah Davies21 February 2010 at 08:51 PM
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That sounds a little melodramatic! I suppos my question is: what are the stats on things like depression and exhaustion in academia?
Matthew Salois22 February 2010 at 06:52 PM
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Keeping up a non-work related reading list has proven to be very therapeutic to me. Finding the time to read, however, is the trickier bit. I have taken to reading while walking. The journey from my flat to the office is about 30 minutes on foot. So by reading both ways, I am able to get in a full hours worth of reading. Of course, the colder weather, the snow, and the darker evenings have presented a few minor challenges, but otherwise I have found this habit to be a great use of time (rather than listening to my iPod I can feel good about reading). Of course, the other pedestrians and cars can sometimes be an issue, but I think I have gotten used to picking my head up every so often and looking out for obstacles from the corner of my eye.
Elizabeth Dodson24 February 2010 at 11:35 AM
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Matthew - I'm impressed by your ability to multi-task, but suspect that if I also tried to read while walking I would sustain many more injuries! Sarah - I think there is significant potential for people in academia to burn themselves out as in my experience there are often intensive periods of working very long days (including weekends) with no breaks. I guess the key is trying to limit these intensive periods (where possible) and ensuring that a need to rest is factored in somewhere! It would be interesting to know what research is being done on the personal impact of such working patterns - particularly within academia.