Self-care during your PhD

This video was originally published as a blog post here: jameshaytonphd...
For more blog posts and quick tips for PhD students: jameshaytonphd...
And for more detailed guidance (courses, weekly zoom calls with James and community support), check out the PhD Academy: www.phd.academy

[@ayses3851]

1-sleep 2-meditate 3-eat well 4-exercise 5-work on personal relationships 6-turn everything off

[@galenseilis5971]

I like to go for 20-30 minute walks where I explain my thinking to myself (out loud). I find it helps with (1) identifying my own confusions, (2) refining my explanations, and (3) reducing my stress.

[@Sbuda22]

I really feel like I have missed the mark with my PhD. For the whole time it became the most important thing and now I am stressed and exhausted. It partly feels like I don't have the mental capacity to produce good quality work. These things you mention are obvious and very true. Somehow there is a general reactivity when one treads unfamiliar territory brought by the PhD that really makes clear thought nearly impossible. Thank you for this. I am about to watch your second video on what to do when left with 3 months to complete PhD.

[@shiladityabhowmick]

you are a saviour.! the gentleness..politeness and the tips! A big thank you .

[@fatimegashi1595]

Thank you, great tips - to the point! Countless times (in the past) I have experienced guilt for taking time for living...

[@James_Hayton]

Why feel guilty? I think taking time for yourself can help you work better- if the PhD is the only thing in your life then it adds extra pressure, whereas if you're looking after your health and your relationships and treating them as important, you still have a good life even if the PhD goes wrong. Counter-intuitively, it's less likely to go wrong if you think this way!

[@fatimegashi1595]

@@James_Hayton Thank you James - much appreciated.

[@zach81210]

Found your channel not too long ago and you've already helped me out a ton. Keep it up!

[@James_Hayton]

Thanks, will do!

[@SulagnaDasgupta]

Gawwwwwd I literally have no time to sleep. Just turned down a vacation with my husband for the next three years. You're so right.

[@James_Hayton]

What's stopping you sleeping?

[@SulagnaDasgupta]

@@James_Hayton Teaching assistant duties + some math courses I had to take, in parallel with the regular research work that has to be done (which is also getting slowed down due to the above responsibilities). I had taken a couple of semesters off last year due to personal reasons, which has given rise to this impossibly busy situation. I hope to have more time in future semesters. Thanks so much for your reply!

[@brightinsight1882]

@@James_Hayton in india some people take phd as a easy way than job and get married soon after joining phd. They think that first join phd and it will be finished since no one can get thrown out.

[@luismiguelaranaaragon260]

o god noo

[@jakefrenchful]

I completed my PhD about 10 years ago, why didn't you post then! These are really good videos

[@James_Hayton]

Actually I did... I started 11 years ago! I was more focused on blog posts than videos back then

[@jakefrenchful]

@@James_Hayton pity I missed you, these videos are fantastic. I guess online media wasn't as prevalent then compared to now(?)

[@binishbatool248]

you are really doing great job... many many thanks for arranging some time for our guidance.

[@HaHoang-ff9gw]

Thank you Sir!

[@kimberleymigallos2964]

I can relate to all your videos. Thank you so much! I wish I had found these sooner!

[@adelajaabimbola5629]

meditation is what i am doin now. its helping to think beyond me and figuring its possible and i can make it

[@jakefrenchful]

Not matter what your situation is during your PhD/degree, of course you can make it. My work didn't go well in the first year at all, and I mean terrible, I just couldn't get to grips with the field. But you'll find a way as I did. Best of luck

[@tawfiqezaz3455]

Thanks for your useful tips

[@gemechudegefa2578]

Thank you very much for such interesting consult!

[@kaiw8254]

A stranger sent this video link to me^^

[@bhagyashrijoshi1482]

Nice suggestions... PhD ... PhD

[@jazdtildawn2]

All of these self-care tips are easier to do and maintain when one lives away from the city. This is why I wish I lived in a small village in England or Belgium. Lol!

[@James_Hayton]

What is it about being in the city that makes these tips harder? Maybe I can think of ways to help :)

[@blondscientist]

Great advice as always! Thank you! Hope you don't mind, but where did you get your shirt? I really like it!

[@James_Hayton]

From a small shop in Barcelona!

[@qianzhang9382]

Thanks for the tips! You mentioned it a bit in this video, but could you provide some tips for mom ABDs who have to take care of young kids at home during the pandemic? I barely found tips on this topic. Thanks!

[@James_Hayton]

First thing is to decide what to focus on. Usually I say start with the intro and work in sequence so you're not jumping around. Then just work on that one thing until it looks submittable. Of course, you need to carve out the time to do it, which is tough. Are your kids of school age? If so it might be best to wait till the schools reopen. If not, maybe you can get an hour or so per day to work on it. It's a difficult situation and kids take a lot of energy, so don't be too hard on yourself!

[@ahmadjaradat3011]

Thanks for such helpful video

[@starfish.426]

Do you have any podcast? I can’t find you on Apple Podcast :(

[@Hsn7380]

Your videos are very helpful! Thank you :)

[@chrisogonas]

That was very helpful. Thanks

[@REAAX]

I find it incredibly draining and unnatural to sit in front of a computer more than 45minutes at a time. I need almost an hour away from the computer to get going again. Coming from an outdoors hands on job I’m finding research difficult in the office environment.

[@James_Hayton]

If 45 is your limit, maybe try 30 mins at a time (so you need less time to reset). Also try printing papers so you can read them away from the computer (or even outside). A standing desk might work for you too.

[@REAAX]

@@James_Hayton thank you

[@shaangariseathuraman5802]

Thanks for the great tips. In your opinion, for a phd student - who doesnt have lab. Working from home or office is better?

[@James_Hayton]

try both, see what works for you!

[@sreelusree]

Thanku fr the content.... absolutely awesome...love Nd respect from god's own country

[@yb8524]

Please stop the screen from zooming in an inch and zooming out an inch, it's dizziing. I think you seem genuine crediting the neurosurgeon, telling us we are watching you when we need to rest, etc.

[@James_Hayton]

I've stopped doing the zoom-cuts in my more recent videos

[@dotted_rarity5]

Thanks for the tips James ! For me, exercise is the most important thing. It makes you sleep well and eat well as a result, but need to be somewhat strenuous. Second most important is limiting social media, it anyone is more interested in this, read "Digital Minimalism" by Cal Newport.