The Role of Wellbeing in Career Success
Wellbeing is often seen as a personal matter, but its importance in shaping career success is becoming increasingly clear. For students and graduates in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (FHASS), prioritising wellbeing isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about performing at your best, making thoughtful decisions, and sustaining long-term career growth.
What Do We Mean by Wellbeing?
Wellbeing covers physical, mental and emotional health, as well as a sense of purpose and balance in life. It’s about feeling capable to meet challenges, maintaining positive relationships, and having the resilience to bounce back from setbacks.
How Wellbeing Influences Your Career
When your wellbeing is strong:
- Focus and Productivity Improve: It’s easier to concentrate and manage tasks efficiently.
- Decision-Making Gets Clearer: Stress and anxiety can cloud judgement, so feeling balanced helps you make better choices.
- Creativity and Problem-Solving Increase: A healthy mind fosters innovation and adaptability—qualities highly valued in humanities and social sciences roles.
- Relationships Flourish: Good wellbeing supports empathy and communication, essential for teamwork and networking.
- Resilience Builds: Careers often involve challenges and changes; wellbeing helps you adapt without burning out.
Practical Steps to Support Your Wellbeing
- Set Boundaries: Learn to say no and manage your workload to avoid overwhelm.
- Develop Healthy Habits: Regular exercise, good nutrition and enough sleep all contribute to physical and mental health.
- Stay Connected: Maintain supportive relationships with friends, family and colleagues.
- Practice Mindfulness: Activities like meditation or mindful breathing help manage stress and increase self-awareness.
- Seek Support When Needed: Don’t hesitate to use university wellbeing services or professional help if things get difficult.
Wellbeing and the Workplace
Employers are increasingly recognising that supporting employee wellbeing benefits everyone. Many offer flexible working, mental health resources and initiatives to promote a positive work environment. Understanding this means you can actively seek out roles and organisations that align with your wellbeing priorities.
Wellbeing is not a luxury but a foundation for sustained career success. By prioritising your physical, emotional and mental health, you equip yourself to navigate the complexities of work and life, ultimately building a fulfilling and resilient career.