Wellbeing for Researchers

As part of Positive Research Environment, the University recognises that work/life balance is not only beneficial to individuals and their families, but also to the University as a whole. This page contains resources to support and prioritise our researchers’ wellbeing through a variety of ways.

Please note that some of these actvities and resources were introduced during the pandemic, some have since moved to face-to-face or have come to an end and some have remained online.

#ResDevInYourPJs Campaign

#ResDevInYourPJs was a way of virtually reaching out to the researcher community and Liverpool and beyond to let you know we remain 100% committed to supporting your development and wider researcher community networking.

Bite-sized #ResDevInYourPJs videos

The #ResDevInYourPJs playlist consists of bi-weekly bitesized videos to support your personal and professional career development. They are released on Twitter by @LivResearcher. Topics covered include: 

The Academy via @LivResearcher and RSA members via @UoL_RSA are always at hand to chat and engage with the community.

Virtual coffee breaks

The @UoL_RSA organises monthly Virtual Coffee Breaks via Zoom with members of the UoL RSA and colleagues from across the University for an informal chat every third Thursday of the month. 

University support

Wellbeing Hub where you will find resources to support staff wellbeing.

- For mental health support - our Employee Assistance Programme is a confidential counselling and information service available to assist you with personal or work-related problems that may be affecting your health, wellbeing or performance. 

Book club

In partnership with the CIE, Professor Dinah Birch has established a virtual book club that all University staff are welcome to join. The book club will be run through Microsoft Teams. Join the Book Club Team - code zrrquvc if needed.

Lunchtime concert series

The Department of Music offer their lunchtime concerts via video. Each concert has age-specific activity packs for children available to download. Please see the website for further information.

Online wellbeing resources

Please note that we cannot guarantee the quality or content of external sources. 

Physical

Exercise with YouTube 

Yoga on YouTube 

A Liverpool guide of some health and wellbeing sessions to get you active

Greek Dancing: Greek dances are best linking arms with other people (which is against social distancing) but can be also danced ‘solo’.
How to learn basic steps of the Hasapiko.

Tai Chi Warm Up

Foundation Qi Gong

Keeping fit and exercising at home

The @FitForMeLpool website has all you could need to stay active. From having a boogie in your living room, to stair exercises, there's no excuse not to give it a go!

Follow @livunigym on instagram and @sportliverpool Twitter for more help and advice on how to stay active.

Mental health

Mind

Samaritans

Headspace for mindfulness 

Meditation Experience

Anxiety UK resources

A free Coursera Course on Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19 – learn clear strategies for managing and turning off the anxiety response at least for short periods.  

Mental Health in Academia post series

Perils of a Postdoc 

Bubbling over? Mental Health during COVID 19

And other useful infographics at: https://www.zjayres.com/mentalhealthresources.
These have been produced by a postdoc, who is an analytical R&D scientist and mental health advocate: Dr Zoë J Ayres https://twitter.com/ZJAyres

General

Culture at Home: draws together a variety of cultural activities – concerts, exhibitions, writing for wellbeing and much more besides. Have a look at what is on offer, and take this opportunity to try something different. 

Blurt: resources about selfcare

Colouring in

17 Virtual Museums and Concerts You Can Now See Online

Guardian Lockdown: the best free online experiences to stave off boredom

Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19)

How to be your best self in times of crisis

Coping during COVID tip sheet by Shari Walsh

Interesting articles:

Seven tips to manage your mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak

Researcher creativity and connection during COVID-19

Ten work–life balance tips for researchers based at home during the pandemic

Five Ways To Practice Mindfulness

Researcher wellbeing event

The annual Research Staff Association (RSA) Summer Wellbeing Event theme for 2020 was 'Researcher Wellbeing during a time of crisis'. It was facilitated online between 1st - 8th July and designed to acknowledge issues raised by the COVID-19. Information about the Wellbeing events can be found here.

Back to: Researcher Hub