The start of a new semester can be exciting and challenging. Changes to our work schedules, home lives, daily routines and overall responsibilities can make it hard to pinpoint exactly where we need to prioritize our time or energy.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you understand your relationship with self-care, what works for you right now and where to go from here.Â
What does self-care mean to you?
Over the past few years, self-care has transformed into a buzzword. While taking care of ourselves seems self-explanatory, self-care as a whole can feel abstract or difficult to achieve. Take some time to reflect on what self-care means to you and any assumptions you may have about what self-care looks like.
These questions can help you get started:
What are some barriers to your self-care routine?
There are a number of barriers that can interfere with our efforts to engage in self-care. These include personal circumstances as well as structural factors that may be out of our control. Think through some of the barriers that may be impacting you.
Here are some common barriers to self-care and ways to overcome them:Â
Resources for staff and faculty
There are support services available to help you practice self-care, learn about boundaries and take control of your well-being.Â
Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP)
FSAP is committed to promoting the mental and emotional well-being of CU’s staff and faculty. They offer free consultations, brief individual therapy and workshops.Â
Workshops for Self-Care & Personal Growth
FSAP hosts free self-care and personal growth workshops to help staff and faculty explore ways to improve their wellness across multiple areas of life, including stress reduction, time off, financial literacy and more.Â
Recreation Services
Did you know that CU staff and faculty can use the Rec Center? Paid memberships are available for staff, faculty spouses, alumni and affiliates. A membership at the Rec allows you to access additional services like personal and partner training, group fitness classes and more (for an additional fee).
Feel Good Fridays
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) and the CU Boulder Art Museum have partnered to offer free meditation sessions every Friday for the CU Boulder community. Stop by the main gallery on Fridays by 12:30 p.m. or register to join virtually (no late admissions).Â
Massage and acupuncture
If you’re looking to improve your self-care or physical health this semester, consider scheduling a massage or acupuncture appointment with Medical Services.
Collegiate Recovery Community
The CU Collegiate Recovery Community (CUCRC) provides community, support and connection for students, faculty and staff in recovery or seeking recovery from a wide range of behaviors. Their fall meeting schedule is available online and include special sessions for staff and faculty.