Two Antidotes for Burnout

Stephanie Afful,
STP President

February 1, 2025 

As part of my presidential theme, I have been thinking a lot about burnout. How can we best protect and support our faculty from the emotional exhaustion in these current times? January was a long and difficult month for many of us in academia. I often repeat to myself… focus on what is in your control. I cannot change institutional policies or executive orders, but I can focus on my teaching. And I can control making sure my students feel safe and supported in my courses. So, I have two possible antidotes to burnout to share this month.

In the spring, I teach Health Psychology where my students adopt a health intervention over the course of the semester–and I practice along with them. This year, I chose gratitude. It's easy, free, and in my control (and my phone will send me a reminder). But, to make this (hopefully) more effective for workplace burnout–I’ve decided that every day I must list at least one that is specific to work. Maybe it's the class activity that went well, or that my lab alumnus got an interview for a PhD program. Some days- it's just that I have a job. It is forced, and maybe does not seem organic, but I am hoping that this practice of gratitude specific to my job helps me mitigate some of the work-based stress that is upon us. 

Another possible antidote is building community. And what better way to do so than to join our online ACT conference. We are excited to offer on-demand programming February 10-13 (Monday-Thursday), and synchronous sessions on Friday, February 14, including a keynote by Teaching of Psychology editor Aaron Richmond at 2:00pm EST. If you attended ACT in Louisville, ACT Online access is complimentary and all other current STP members can register for $25 (“online only” option).

I hope to see many of you at ACT online and share your love of teaching on Valentine’s Day. I welcome any of your tips and suggestions on burnout (email me)! Our presidential task forces will start this month in culling the best resources and sharing out. 

Take care of yourselves, STP friends.

Read past letters from the STP President