Apologies for taking so long to write this next blog post. Things have been busy in the lab for me the last few months, but now I'm back to writing my blog and hopefully teaching those who are interested something new on this gloomy, rainy Thursday 😦 So, in my last blog post I introduced [...]
BURN OUT IS REAL! 😴😴
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And it doesn't change when you finish your PhD either. 😪
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I quickly discovered during my PhD that for me to be my most productive and not completely exhausted emotionally, mentally and physically, I needed to hit my reset button 🔌 every 3 months or so.
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I've been in my new job now for just over three months and as you can see I am taking my first few weeks off. The commute 🚉 has exhausted me physically & all the other things on my mind are exhausting me mentally too. Or maybe it's still burn out from my PhD?! Whatever the reason I needed a break.
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We are spending some days in the Portuguese sun 🇵🇹 before I head home for the weekend to sort out some wedding details 👰🏽 before heading back to the office refreshed and ready to tackle my next set of goals 💪🏻
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Here is your reminder to take a break when YOU need it. Your experiments and research 🧪⚗🧫🧬🔬🔭 CAN wait - after all a refreshed you is going to be able to tackle those lab days much better than an exhausted you!
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Also remember to work out a routine that is better for you. Commuting for 5 hours each day for work is exhausting so I'm starting to work more flexible hours now too. So find out something that allows you to work at your best! 🤗
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There is no one way of dealing with burn out! Just find out what works for you!
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How do you deal with burn out? Do you have any tips for dealing with it during your PhD? How about after your PhD too?
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STOP SCROLLING just for one minute and answer me two questions... ❓❔❓
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Do you reuse your bags whenever you go shopping? And do you ever consider your choice of bag?
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Today is #EarthDay 🌍. A day to raise awareness of the impact we are having on our precious planet. When I was doing some research for a post today, I came across a study that asked one question.
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When does a reusable bag 🛍 become more environmentally friendly than a disposable one?
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I found the results quite intriguing. Taking into account the production process, transportation, end of life impacts and more, this study looked at the 'carbon footprint' 👣of each type of bag compared to the standard plastic carrier bags🛍 you see in shops.
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To be more eco-friendly than that type of bag, you would have to use a paper bag 4️⃣ times. You would have to use the stronger 'bag for life' 1️⃣4️⃣ times. But you would have to use a cotton bag a staggering 1️⃣7️⃣3️⃣❗times before its environmental impact was better than a plastic bag. And these cotton ones are being given out as freebies more and more! 😥
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Of course - this is just one study. There are a few other studies that I've read that quote very different numbers.
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All in all - my message to you is simply..
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REDUCE ♻️
REUSE ♻️
RECYCLE ♻️
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Every time you reuse a bag, or any other material for that matter, you are reducing its environmental impact. Reuse your shopping bags as much as possible & help reduce the impact on our beautiful planet 🌍
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Today on Earth Day, what do you pledge to reuse?
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Two years ago today, this one asked me to marry him 💍. Well he didn't so much as ask as write it down as we were underwater 🐟🐠🐢.
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Today we celebrated our last engagement anniversary wandering around in beautiful sunny Lisbon 🇵🇹 with only 5 months left before we say 'I do' 👰🏽.
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Taking some time for me to recharge and spend one last time just the two of us before he is my hubby and I am his wife! 💍
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How are you spending your Easter weekend?
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Did you know that you can help out with the latest research without stepping into your nearest lab?🔬
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Yesterday was #CitizenScienceDay - and yes I know I'm a day late but I was taking a day for me spending it with my fiance in London🇬🇧 watching some comedy.
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Anyway! Citizen science allows anyone to get involved with research making science 🔬 accessible to even more people!
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How I hear you ask?❓❔❓
Well you can get involved with research using the smartphones 🤳 and devices that are hiding in your pockets or sat on your desks at home!
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Our phones📱 and tablets are packed full of sensors, cameras 📸, microphones 🎤and processors that can generate invaluable data 📊 for leading scientists around the world to incorporate your contributions into advancing our knowledge of the world we live in. How awesome is that?🤗
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There are more and more apps out there now that ask you to snap images, record sightings, play games 🎮 or even just plug your phone in and let it charge! It can really be as easy as that! All from the comfort of your own home!
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I have a blog post coming out this week about my favourite citizen science apps where you can help with the latest cancer research, nature research or even help NASA's 🚀 research too!
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I also have plans to start my own citizen science research project in the future that you can get involved with too.
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Citizen science is incredible IMO and it means everyone can be a scientist! 👶🧒👦👧🧑👨👩
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Have you heard of citizen science? Have you ever got involved with any research? What are your favourite citizen science apps or projects?
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