Head Space

Calm productivity for academics

Tag: holiday

  • Using a “do not do” list for work-life balance during breaks

    Breaking the cycle of using academic breaks to catch up on work? Create a “do not do” list instead of a to-do list. Learn how to maintain academic work-life balance during breaks by setting clear boundaries, avoiding work email, and embracing genuine rest without guilt. Your future self will thank you.

  • Fostering a culture of guilt-free time off

    Feeling guilty about taking time off work is common in academia. This guilt often stems from organisational culture where everyone is expected to work during leave. To break free from this guilt trap, we need a strong culture that values time off, starting with leadership and permeating the entire organisation.

  • Academic burnout prevention: The power of doing nothing

    From conference deadlines to funding applications, academia’s relentless pace makes it hard to disconnect. Learn how to prevent academic burnout by embracing genuine downtime, implementing digital boundaries, and recognising that rest isn’t a reward for productivity – it’s a fundamental human need.

  • Effective breaks for academics: Real rest and productivity

    Most academics fill their breaks with pseudo-productive tasks like checking emails or social media. But these aren’t real breaks at all. Learn how taking genuine academic breaks and productivity go hand in hand, and why the most effective breaks are often the ones that feel the least productive.

  • Planning to take a real break

    I’m about to go on annual leave over the summer break and usually, this period sees me making lists of All The Things I’m going to finish over the holidays. The thinking is that I’ll start the new academic year afresh, and feeling invigorated because I’ve finally (FINALLY) cleared the ‘to do’ list. What it…

  • Rest may be your most urgent task

    It’s time to challenge the notion that rest comes after completing urgent work. In academia, there’s always another task waiting. By treating rest as your most urgent daily priority, you create sustainable conditions for high-quality academic work. By prioritising rest in academia you can transform your productivity and well-being.