Self-care is not Selfish
by Nancy Lu
Self-care is not Selfish: An Interview with Dr. Sally Stewart
In today’s fast-paced academic environment, self-care is crucial for students’ overall well-being and success. RESPECT Magazine recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Sally Stewart, a professor who teaches nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle courses, to gain her insights on this important topic.
When asked about the meaning of self-care, Dr. Stewart emphasized the importance of finding activities that refresh and replenish oneself, enabling one to feel ready and excited for the day. Using the analogy of filling a personal bucket with tools and skills, she highlighted self-care as an ongoing journey of discovery and adaptation, encouraging a continuous process of exploring different practices and refining what works best for each individual.”Self-care is quite a bit about
trial and error,” she explained.
“Self-care skills are not automatically born with us; the more we learn about different practices for self-care, the more we can pick things that work for us and fill our bucket with all those skills.”
In a diverse, multi-dynamic learning environment, Dr. Stewart encourages her students to embrace self-care by highlighting its value and impact on overall well-being. She incorporates self-care practices into her classes, such as coloring sheets during midterms or yoga sessions to help students de-stress. Additionally, she advocates for incorporating self-care into other courses, suggesting simple practices like taking five-minute breaks or standing up to regain focus.
For students juggling multiple responsibilities, Dr. Stewart advises being aware of when things are not working and re-evaluating commitments based on goals and values. “If we’re not taking care of ourselves, we can’t do them all well,” she said, encouraging students to let go of activities that don’t align with their priorities to make room for self-care.
When faced with feedback that doesn’t meet expectations, Dr. Stewart emphasizes the importance of having a growth mindset. “It’s about acknowledging to a friend or peer, for example ‘Wow, you got that job in the lab. Great. Congrats to you!” They see their friend shining there, and recognize and celebrate that they themselves may shine in another area. Everybody is unique and contributes in their own special way,'” she explained, encouraging students to learn from the experience and find their own path to success.
Dr. Stewart recommends that students seek out resources available on campus, such as the Health and Wellness Center, Picnic, and online resources, to support their self-care journey. She also highlights the role of faculty in promoting self-care practices in their classes.
Addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) considerations, Dr. Stewart acknowledges that certain groups may face unique challenges in accessing self-care resources or feeling comfortable participating. She emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to raise awareness and incorporate EDI perspectives into services and classrooms, fostering an inclusive environment where all students feel valued and supported.
“Self-care is not selfish because how can we support other people or do well if we are not well.”
Overall, Dr. Stewart’s insights underscore the significance of self-care for student success and well-being. By prioritizing self-care practices, seeking support, and embracing a growth mindset, students can navigate the challenges of academic life with greater resilience and thrive in their personal and professional pursuits.
About the Author
This interview was conducted by Nancy Jiayi Lu, an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Science at UBC Okanagan and a project coordinator at RESPECT. The conversation features Dr. Sally Stewart, a professor and expert of health and well-being in the Faculty of Health and Social Development. Dr. Stewart shared techniques, tools, and resources to help students prioritize self-care in an academic learning environment, with a perspective on EDI.