ABSTRACT
Self-care is not necessarily or solely about the ‘self’ caring for the ‘self’. Greater self-care can be accomplished and be more sustainable by consideration and enactment of the systems within which one finds oneself in academia. Capitalising on, reframing, and integrating relationships with known others (We) and the university system (Us) also provide direct mechanisms for improved self-care. In this chapter we outline Me (individual), We (relational), and to a lesser extent Us (organisational) strategies, all based on empirical literature, that are useful and that we have successfully used over our 30+ years in academia. Examples of approaches discussed include a breathing focusing technique and simplifying (Me), job crafting and strengths spotting (We), and Appreciative Inquiry summits and policy advocacy (Us) amongst others.
