We understand that in order to help make the necessary changes we need to see happen within our own institutions and within the greater museum field as a whole, we not only need to look inwards at ourselves, but we need to address and support the psychological and emotional needs of our staff and colleagues.
To help you and museum professionals take the necessary steps to maintain a strong, central well-being, both inside and outside of work, we have put together the following list of resources and tools.
Please take a look and check back for updates.
PAGE INDEX
Museums as Spaces for Wellbeing
Mental + Emotional + Spiritual Self Care
Physical + Social Self-Care • Creative Self-Care
Self-Care for Museum Professionals
Self-Care for Parents • Self-Care for Kids + Teens
WMA's MOMENTS OF ZEN
Every week, we provide a #MomentofZen to help ease your mind and offer a moment of peace in such an uncertain world. Here are some of our favorite moments:
MUSEUMS AS SPACES FOR WELLBEING
Enhancing health and wellbeing – Museums Association
What are Mindful Museums and how can they help us with our mental health? – MuseumNext
Museums as Spaces for Wellbeing - Second Report (PDF) – National Alliance for Museums, Health and Wellbeing
The importance of Mental Health First Aid in museums – MuseumNext
The role of museums in supporting the wellbeing of children and families – MuseumNext
Museums as Self-Care Spaces: Part 1 – Museum of World Treasures
Museums as facilitators of health and wellbeing in communities – The Knowledge Exchange Blog
The Importance of Art and Museums on Emotional and Mental Health – ArtSentry
In conversation with: Louise Thompson, Health and Wellbeing Manager, Manchester Art Gallery – MuseumNext
MENTAL + EMOTIONAL + SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE
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33 self-care practices to recharge your mind, body and soul in 2022 – LA Times
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Taking Good Care Of Yourself – MentalHealthAmerica
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Self-Care – National Museum of African American History & Culture
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Time to Turn On & Tune In: 12 Podcasts to Help You Get Through 2020 – WMA
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How Your Mindfulness Practice Can Support the World Right Now – Mindful.org
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Daily Wellness: A New Mix of Motivational Podcasts and Personalized Music – Spotify
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Be Kind to Your Mind: Mental Health Awareness During COVID-19 – WMA
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Your ‘Surge Capacity’ Is Depleted — It’s Why You Feel Awful – Medium
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How Spirituality Can Benefit Mental and Physical Health – VeryWell Mind
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A New Month – Time for Some Introspection and Self-Care Magic – WMA
PHYSICAL + SOCIAL SELF-CARE
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Diet and Exercise Resources - Oaklahoma Museums Association
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8 Ways to Practice Self-Care While Social Distancing – Right As Brain by UW Medicine
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Exercise: The Best Stress Relief - VeryWell Fit
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3 Key Factors in Healthy Relationships - VeryWell Mind
CREATIVE SELF-CARE
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Self-Care According to a Gender-Affirming Yoga Pro – Everyday Health
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Do Nothing for Two-Minutes (interactive) – Calm App
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113 Museums Transformed Illustrations From Their Collections Into Free Coloring Pages – Smithsonian Magazine
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12 Ways To Practice Community Care Digitally—for Your Own Self Care and That of Others – Well+Good
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Creative Mindfulness: The Buzzy Brain – Seema Rao
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Creative Expression for Maintaining Positive Wellbeing – Oaklahoma Museums Association
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Reframe How You Think About Self-Care – Harvard Business Review
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Time & Space Self-Care Plan – Seema Rao
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How to Ceate Your Own Self-Care Plan & Why You Need One – Mindful.org
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Creative Self-Care: Make Art, Feel Better – Mindful Art Studio
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9 Ways to Use Art to Practice Self-Care – PsychCentral
SELF-CARE FOR MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS
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What if I’m Burned Out? Counteracting Workplace Burnout – Seema Rao
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Self-care for Museum Professionals with Seema Rao (YouTube Video) – California Association of Museums
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Anxiety, Stress, and Burnout Resources - Oaklahoma Museums Association
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The Care and Keeping of Museum Professionals – Book by Sarah C Erdman, Amazon
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Objective Lessons: Self-Care for Museum Workers [read for free on Kindle Unlimited] - Seema Rao
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Avoiding video conferencing fatigue while working remotely – UCL
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5 Unexpected Self-Care Practices To Weave Into Your Work Day – Forbes
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Working Remotely During COVID-19 – Center for Workplace Mental Health
SELF-CARE FOR PARENTS
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7 Tips to Teach Children Mindfulness & Meditation – mgbRelationships
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11 Tips for Mindful Parenting – Mindspace
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Self-Care Strategies for Parents When You Have No Time for Yourself – Healthline Parenthood
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Mom's Hilarious Comics Capture The 'Nonsense' Of Parenting – Huff Post
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The Upside of Quarantine: 4 Fascinating Lessons to Teach Your Kids – Jessica Larson
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15 Self-Care Strategies for Parents – VeryWell Family
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4 Questions To Gauge Your Kid's Mental Health During The COVID-19 Pandemic – Huff Post
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They Need Me-Time, Too: A Self-Care Checklist to Do With Your Kids – Parents.com
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9 Fathers On How They Make The Time For Self-Care – Mind Body Green
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Free and Low-Cost Coaching Options – Kate Livingston Coaching
SELF-CARE FOR KIDS + TEENS
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How To Survive When Going Back To School Means Staying Home – Study Breaks
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113 Museums Transformed Illustrations From Their Collections Into Free Coloring Pages – Smithsonian Magazine
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Self-Care for Kids – Growing Kids
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Self-Care and Teenagers – ReachOut Parents
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Teen Self-Care Resources – Pinterest
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11 Self-Care Tips for Teens and Young Adults – Psychology Today
Do you have self-care resources you'd like to add?
Please share with us at communications@westmuse.org.
These resources are subject to change and will be updated as new information becomes available.
We're all in this together. #StayHealthy #StaySafe #TogetherButSafelyApart
