Research scientists are subject to significant mental and physical demands as a byproduct of the research endeavor, and can be adversely affected by stress and mental/physical fatigue over time. Academic institutions are now beginning to recognize the benefits of proper wellness for undergraduate and graduate students (and other trainees), and provide resources to support wellness among these groups. However, wellness is an issue that affects everyone, not just students. Postdoctoral research fellows and faculty members also need support for their wellness to ensure maximum productivity and career success. Proper wellness encompasses and includes healthy practices for mental and physical wellness, as well as for other aspects of life that can contribute to stress (financial wellness, relationship wellness, spiritual wellness, etc.) Most colleges and universities provide wellness resources on their websites (particularly for students) that are easily discoverable. The following links are for wellness resources of general value to individuals anywhere and everywhere.
Arizona State University – 10 Best Practices in Graduate Student Wellbeing
University of Pennsylvania Graduate Student Center – 10 Self-care Tips for Returning Graduate Students
Council of Graduate Schools – Graduate Student Mental Health and Well-Being
Council of Graduate Schools and The Jed Foundation – Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health and Well-Being: Evidence-informed Recommendations for the Graduate Community
The Graduate School at Duke University – Tips for Dealing with Stress
The Graduate School at Duke University – Tips for Combatting Zoom Fatigue
University of North Carolina – Dimensions of Wellness
New York University – Grad Student How-To: Wellness
Emory University – Graduate Student Wellness Toolkit
Cornell University – Mental Health at Cornell: Resources for Student and Campus Wellbeing
Graduate Student Wellness (on Twitter/X)
Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health – Graduate Student Mental Health: Putting the Toolkit into Practice
University of California at San Diego – Becoming a Resilient Scientist Video Series
Stockton University – Faculty Wellness
