MaineHealth Institute for Research Community

  Imposter Feelings: Friend or Foe in Science? Jadson Jall, PhD, MBA Scientist | Science Community Manager of the International Science Reserve at the New York Academy of Sciences | Co-founder of the Global Collaboration Institute | Leadership & Science for Collaborative Global Solutions November 20, 2024 As scientists, we often find ourselves grappling with imposter feelings—those nagging thoughts that tell us we’re not good enough. It’s completely normal to experience these emotions, especially when stepping outside our comfort zones . However, managing these feelings is crucial to avoid slipping into the more damaging realm of imposter syndrome, which can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as procrastination, perfectionism, and burnout. it’s common to compare our behind-the-scenes struggles to the polished successes of others, forgetting that we all have our setbacks. Many of us have faced situations where we felt overshadowed by peers, only to realize later that everyone deals w

 About the book Wintering, by Katherine May In a culture obsessed with productivity and success, "Wintering" is a radical call to rest, reflect, and restore—an antidote to burnout and a deep exhale for the soul. In this book, we are gently invited into a world where life's cold, harsh seasons—those periods of isolation, illness, heartbreak, or loss—are no longer something to fear, but something to embrace. Here are eight takeaways from "Wintering" by Katherine May: 1. Embrace Life's Cycles: Just like nature has its seasons, so does life. There are times for growth and productivity, but also times for quiet retreat. Instead of resisting these cycles, embrace them as necessary for long-term well-being. 2. Rest as a Form of Healing: Wintering teaches that rest is not a luxury but a necessity. During difficult times, it’s okay—and essential—to step back, slow down, and allow space for healing without the guilt of feeling unproductive. 3. The Power of Retreat: S

As seen in the DEI weekly email blast  12/2:  We are happy to host  Dr. Evelyn Mercado  to speak about her research: Dr. Mercado's research seeks to better understand how close relationships buffer or increase risk for mental health outcomes in ethnic minority populations, with an emphasis on families of Latin American backgrounds. Her current work focuses on ways exposure to stress (e.g., discrimination) may impact the parent-adolescent relationship and youth adjustment through the application of a biopsychosocial lens. She is particularly interested in how interpersonal emotion dynamics such shared physiology and affect, may serve as a protective or risk factor for psychological adjustment. Her research employs both naturalistic (e.g., daily diary studies) and experimental methods in combination with self-report, observational, and psychophysiological measures (e.g., cortisol).  December 2, 2024 1-2pm Join Zoom Meeting https://tufts.zoom.us/j/97163578243?pwd=OeHApuhErk1RbLdEGr1rK

 As seen in the weekly DEI email blast, from the Harvard Business Review Let’s End Toxic Productivity by Jennifer Moss Toxic productivity is an unhealthy compulsion to be productive at all times, often at the expense of our mental and physical well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. It’s a common sentiment in today’s work culture, where the drive to be constantly productive is often celebrated, if not expected. But this mindset isn’t just harmful; it’s dangerous. People are already struggling to meet their core job requirements, but when you factor in a staggering 192% increase in weekly meetings post-pandemic, it becomes significantly more challenging. We are over-meeting, over-looping, and over-collaborating — one of the worst work habits brought on by the crisis. Despite the longstanding perception that more hours worked means higher productivity, data and research are finding otherwise. Leaders play a crucial role in either perpetuating or breaking this cycle of tox

 As seen in the weekly DEI email blast from the American Psychological Association 11 healthy ways to handle life’s stressors When stress becomes unmanageable, try these evidence-based tools to tackle it in healthy ways Stressful experiences are a normal part of life, and the  stress response  is a survival mechanism that primes us to respond to threats. Some stress is positive: Imagine standing in front of a crowd to give a speech and hitting it out of the park. Stressful? Certainly. But also challenging and satisfying. But when a stressor is negative and can’t be fought off or avoided—such as layoffs at work or a loved one’s medical crisis—or when the experience of stress becomes  chronic , our biological responses to stress can impair our physical and mental health. Fortunately, there are many evidence-based tools to help combat the negative effects of stress in healthy ways. They recommend that you: Try to eliminate the stressors : Whether or not you experience an intolerable level