Self-Care for Asian American Studies Faculty
by Hannah Moon and Timothy P. Fong
ABSTRACT: Academic life has always been challenging enough, but new challenges continue presenting themselves to Asian American Studies faculty. During the first pandemic of our lifetimes, we have witnessed increasing anti-Asian hate and violence, calls for greater activism around racial and economic injustice, and greater attention to the needs of underrepresented and underserved Asian American and Pacific Islander students on our campuses. Emotional stress and overwork are centered in increasingly common complaints from Asian American Studies faculty across the nation. This article focuses deliberately on the need for Asian American Studies faculty to practice mindfulness and self-care to reduce stress, avoid burnout, and help maintain overall health and wellbeing. Practicing mindfulness and self-care helps individuals better adapt to changes, build strong personal and professional relationships, and recover from setbacks. This article will provide helpful strategies to better manage academic pressures, tricky interpersonal relationships, and uncertain future plans. Mindfulness and self-care encourage maintaining a healthy relationship with oneself, translating into a more focused, attentive approach to the multiple demands of academic life.
Article Citation: Hannah Moon and Timothy P. Fong (2024) Self-Care for Asian American Studies Faculty. AAPI Nexus: Policy, Practice and Community: 2024, Vol. 21, No. 1 & 2.