980038 TS Well-Being in Academia: Perfectionists, imposters and the impact of self-talk (2020S)

Doctoral candidates represent a diverse group of people, and the sources of stress that we face and the coping mechanisms we use, vary greatly. However, a repertoire of counterproductive cognitive strategies, habits, and lifestyle choices (or sacrifices!) represent a common underlying theme. Self-sabotaging thought processes, poor coping strategies, and little work-life balance render many of us susceptible to burnout and a raft of mental health issues.

In this 2-day workshop I argue that how we cope with challenges depends on the strategies we adopt and the mindset we hold. Specifically, we will focus on two key aspects of your well-being:

- Thinking. We look at how the voice in your heads shapes how you think, feel and act. We explore self-sabotaging thought and behaviour patterns that hinder your well-being and performance. We look at how to change the narrative.
- Doing. We explore effective coping strategies and beneficial lifestyle habits and productivity hacks to ensure peak performance under conditions of stress and uncertainty.

Your well-being AND peak performance are not mutually exclusive. The goal is to maximise your cognitive and emotional performance whilst creating a sustainable, effective and enjoyable lifestyle.