Energize me! caffeine-Free Energy!
Brief Abstract
Need a boost of energy without the ups and downs of caffeine?! The presenters, both Board Certified Advanced Holistic Nurses, will provide holistic self-care tips to invigorate the mind, body, and spirit. From essential oils to forest bathing, there are many easy and enjoyable ways to rejuvenate teaching energy!
Presenters
Extended Abstract
Topic & Relevance
The topic of this session is holistic self-care to re-energize oneself. It is important to the community of online educators because stress and a resultant lack of energy is a common issue for the distance educator. Increased stress and lower satisfaction with teaching online are associated with burnout (Mosleh et al., 2022). Lack of energy may be even more relevant when balancing online versus live teaching of hybrid courses. We have suggestions of holistic and healthy ways to re-energize the mind, body and spirit.
There are several causes of stress in online work. Technostress, for example, is a recent and undesirable phenomenon online educators may experience. Technostress is defined as “n. a form of occupational stress that is associated with information and communication technologies… with affected employees becoming anxious or overwhelmed by working in computer-mediated environments in which there is a constant flow of new information” (American Psychological Association, n.d.). It takes a great deal of energy to continually learn new and everchanging technology, so why not use some fun holistic tools to boost that energy!
Zoom fatigue is another recently “discovered” phenomenon online educators may experience. Zoom fatigue is “tiredness, anxiety, or worry resulting from overusing these virtual platforms” (Wold, 2020). Stanford researcher Jeremy Bailenson (2021) theorizes that four possible contributing factors are: excessive (unnatural) direct eye contact, perpetually seeing oneself (in a constant mirror) is draining, reduced mobility sitting close to the computer, and increased cognitive load with video conferencing. Taking a break to energize through holistic self-care is important for those who spend much time in tele-meetings.
Work-life balance, particularly when teaching remotely from home, is another cause of stress and its lack of energy counterpart. A study by Mosleh et al. (2022) found personal burnout to be a more significant risk for those who were married and had school-age children. Having 24-7 access to the online classroom is a challenge to maintaining work-life balance and yet another reason to boost energy through healthy holistic self-care venues.
Interactivity
In this lively session, the presenters will invite participants on a virtual journey of their 10 favorite holistic self-care modalities to promote energy. By using healthy strategies, educators can increase their use of self-care health promotion strategies, which in turn promotes their overall performance. Attendees will participate in an interactive self-care modality. The presenters will use guided imagery to lead attendees on a simulated walk through several energizing self-care techniques. Holistic self-care nourishes the mind, body, and spirit of the whole person. Persons who empower themselves with holistic self-care benefit in many aspects of life.
Session Goals
Participants will be able to
- Explain why rejuvenation is important for the online educator.
- Describe types of energizing self-care.
- Participate in a virtual energizing journey.
References
American Psychological Association (n.d.) Dictionary. Technostress. In APA dictionary of psychology. Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://dictionary.apa.org/technostress
Bailenson, J. N. (2021). Nonverbal Overload: A Theoretical Argument for the Causes of Zoom Fatigue. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000030
Mosleh, S. M., Kasasbeha, M. A., Aljawarneh, Y. M., Alrimawi, I., & Saifan, A. R. (2022). The impact of online teaching on stress and burnout of academics during the transition to remote teaching from home. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 1–475. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03496-3
Wolf, C. R (2020). Virtual platforms are helpful tools but can add to our stress. Psychology Today. May 14, 2020. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-desk-the-mental-health-lawyer/202005/virtual-platforms-are-helpful-tools-can-add-our-stress