In our campus work, "work-life balance" has long been touted as the key to managing our personal and professional lives. However, this traditional view, where work and life are given equal weight, is elusive and hard to maintain.

How it would be to engage with food, eating, exercise, and our bodies in a way that prioritizes ourselves instead of societal ideals? I would love to see a revolution where we question all the ways we have been told we have to look and instead focus on how to individually care for our bodies and minds in the way that feels uniquely best for each of us as a person.

Imagine having a superpower that makes you unstoppable, creative, and resilient in the face of any challenge. Sounds like something out of a superhero movie, right? But it’s not flying or x-ray vision—though those would be incredible. It’s sleep.

Saying ‘no,’ even in jest, can feel uncomfortable. But learning to say ‘no’—to set boundaries and prioritize our well-being—is essential.

In the hustle and bustle of campus life, emotions often move as quickly as we do. We face challenges, opportunities, and frustrations that ignite our emotional centers, sometimes intensely. However, there is power in pausing, sitting with our emotions, and intentionally considering our response.

Winter used to be my favorite season as a child. Being outdoors in the snow was something I looked forward to all year: skiing, sledding, snow forts, exploring snowy woods. The sense of awe about winter was replaced in adulthood by a sense of dread. A few years ago, I decided I needed a new perspective: How could I approach winter differently? What are the gifts of the winter season?

If you lived in Iowa the past few years, you’ve probably heard of Caitlin Clark. In fact, if you lived anywhere with a TV, you’re probably familiar with the record-setting women’s college basketball player known for her logo threes and competitive spirit. Another key aspect to Caitlin's success? Her growth mindset on and off the court.

Mindfulness — paying attention on purpose — is everywhere these days. A variety of techniques are recommended to consciously observe thoughts, feelings and emotions, physical sensations, and the surrounding environment with curiosity and without judgment. We can be mindful when we are practicing seated meditation, preparing a meal, or walking the dog.

I am convinced that our reliance on compartmentalization has reached its limit for the roughest days. I fear pushing off the sadness and grief we experience in our important work can cost us mentally and physically in the long run. This begs the question: What can we do differently on some of our roughest and saddest days?

In my role as a professor in the Tippie College of Business, I study people who experience high levels of meaningfulness in their jobs. Their work is well aligned with their purpose in life and they cannot imagine doing anything else. But is meaningful work reserved for only a few select professions? Or can we all find meaning in our work?