Maintaining wellbeing during the busy ecology season, written by an ecologist.

During peak survey season in ecology, it can be tricky to maintain wellbeing, not least with life’s other busy goings on. With a short period for surveys, lots of driving, late nights and the need to maintain focus across multiple times of the day, the summer season for ecologists can often quickly lead to burn out. I have been an ecologist for just over 12 years now, working in various ecological fields around the world. A few years ago I did a short mental health first aid course and spotted various aspects of mental health maintence that were at odds with how many ecologists work. I decided to try and implement some wellbeing tips more into my routines during the survey season, to try and reduce stress, prevent burn out and to help enjoy the summer itself too.

I have put together some ideas of what I have found, as an ecologist too, that help maintain wellbeing during the season. Some of these things are difficult to keep up, when busy but are worth it in the long term. Pick and mix some ideas and see how they work for you.

Try to limit caffeine

I drink herbal teas a lot in the day. This really helps reduce crashes between work/ napping and then getting back into work mode later on. I also find reducing caffeine is great for my mental health in general.

Meal prep

Try to avoid fast food and the post survey snacks. REALLY hard not to destroy snacks when coming in late at night. I try to keep stocked up on fruit or veg, I find cucumber or grapes super refreshing. 

Full nights sleep

When super busy it can be hard to fight the urge to set your usual early morning alarms post evening bat surveys. But try to keep your 8 hours. This can be extremely difficult with kids or caring responsibilities, but try to manage your time so that you can keep your 8 hours. What can give a little to allow for sleep? There are also different types of rest, if you struggle to sleep during the day or at unusual times, you might find lying down in a cool quiet room for a while helps to feel rested, even if you haven't fully slept.

Try to do site admin on site

Either before the survey or just afterwards. Try and keep on top of it and prevent lost survey sheets.

Keep your car tidy.

It’s very easy to let your car get messy during the survey season, even survey kits can take up your whole car! Almost every ecologist I know (especially me) does not have a tidy car… so I know this one is really difficult. But keeping on top of the tidiness helps keep a space you'll be spending a lot of time, calm. 

Keep your sleeping space tidy too.

Good sleep hygiene means you will likely sleep better and also help your partner sleep better. It's never good when you're tripping over getting into bed, especially mid season when it's particularly late. Keep your space calm and clean, keep the work chaos elsewhere!

Put together a care package

This one is for you when you get in, to help you chill but also avoid disturbing your loved ones. I put my book, snacks etc in our lounge with my PJs. I will come in, wind down for a while in my pjs and be 100% ready to sleep when I get to bed. Late nights when living with family with regular, early morning schedules can be disruptive, for a small change when I get home, it not only means I wind down quicker but I'm less distributive to their need for sleep too.

Mindfulness

Ecologists, I believe, part-take in mindfulness more than we realise. We are calm, observant and listen to our surroundings by nature of surveying. We notice the small things. But learning to utilise mindfulness for our wellbeing is a great skill, but it does take time, especially as so much mindfulness is based in our around nature (it can feel a bit patronising) but I really recommend mindfulness courses. When the season feels overwhelming, taking some time away from work to be mindfull is a great way to rebalance.

Read a book

Dive into a book series you love, find a tv series etc, that is completely unrelated to ecology. We know we need to read books and keep up to date within ecology, but it’s also important to switch off. I am usually guilty of this one, prioritising reading for winter and forgetting to switch off in the summer. Give you brain an escape and find time during the day, if your 'traditional' reading times, like evenings or early mornings are spent surveying.

Hydrate

Water/ hydration is great for alertness. I try to drink lots of water in the mornings. Not only does it help me wake up, but makes sure I am hydrated early on to avoid desperate loo needs much later, whilst making sure I stay hydrated. It also can help stave off those tired junk food cravings. 

The right kit

Your workplace might organise this for you, but if you're freelance, you need to make sure for safety reasons, that you have the right PPE and kit. But more than that, you need products to keep comfortable. Make sure your kit works and is comfy. It will make long surveys much more enjoyable, safe and prevent long term problems. It might mean an investment, but will pay off.

Don't ban holidays during the season

If you are a subbie, self employed or just extremely busy during the season, it's tempting to work solidly right though, but try not to ban a mid season holiday as it will help sustain your enjoy all season. It is certainly tempting, but if your earning potential can't take a hit, try and take mini holidays and switch off.

Try and get outside in nature

It’s too easy to let the summer pass without enjoying it or being able to relax in the summer evenings. I’ve definitely had summers where come September I’ve been gutted to have spent so much time outside in a deck chair but not really to enjoy. It's of course, difficult not to look forward the longer/ later evenings that welcome in the end of summer!

If well-being at work for yourself or others interests you, I really recommend taking a mental health first aid course. 

My personal habits I try to keep during survey season to maintain my wellbeing

• I meal prep, so I can eat home made, nutritious, hot food before I rush off in the evenings, with limited washing up. I feel healthy eating homemade meals and I find it draining getting home from work with washing up still. I also find nutritious meals help me focus better.

• I take a holiday during the season and I try get into nature as much as possible, not to wish it away.

• Nice products for on survey, like insect repellant I like. I keep a hand cream in my survey jacket pocket, to give a bit of self care during surveys that does not require eyes off the building for a split second.

• I get my book ready and PJs out, I drink herbal tea lots and limit my caffeine intake.

I do hope this little blog helps someway to reduce the seasonal load and help you remember why ecology, and a career in ecology, is the best!