Instituting self-care strategies for doctoral students

Abstract

A doctoral journey can be an enjoyable, yet protracted, undertaking. Research students therefore have the potential to be impeded by excess baggage, including burnout, anxiety or depression, due to the uncertain direction events may take. It is imperative obstacles be pre-empted and overcome to mitigate the risks to the emotional well-being of students so they do not lose sight of their sense of self or suffer impairment in their researching capabilities. This chapter aims to demonstrate the significance of recognising the symptoms of negative sequelae that can arise from protracted research study and the value of impairment prevention. Through an evidence-based case study, this chapter also outlines potential consequences for those dealing with stories of a personal or traumatic nature, which include re-traumatisation, and the risks of compassion fatigue or vicarious traumatisation that can arise when researching other participants’ stories, all of which can have an impact on research outcomes. It provides practical self-care intervention strategies to build resilience and address well-being over the long doctoral journey. These range from developing positive habits to journaling to encourage personal exploration and increased self-awareness, through to knowing when to seek professional help.