As Parpala and Postareff state in their recent book, the wellbeing of the teaching staff is closely linked to the quality of teaching. The current job of a university teacher is demanding, with the increasing amount of business cooperation and the growing need for research expertise. It is therefore important that wellbeing is seen as important on both organisational and individual level. These five books focus on the wellbeing of the teaching staff and how to improve it. For more reading suggestions on this topic, see HAMK Finna.
 Lemon, N. (2024). The ‘how’ of self-care for teachers: Building your wellbeing toolbox. Taylor & Francis.
This book helps teachers understand self care in a simple and supportive way. It shares a framework with five parts: being kind to yourself, being aware, building habits, using time well, and feeling empowered. Lemon offers easy tools that teachers can choose and adapt to their own needs. It reminds them that caring for themselves is important so they can care for others. * |
 Salonen, E. (2025). The creative wellbeing handbook: How to fuel creativity, find balance and stay inspired. BIS.
Salonen has made her book for creative people who feel tired, stressed, or stuck, but it works just as well for creative teachers. She gives simple tools to bring back joy, energy, and clear thinking. Stories, exercises and ideas help readers care for themselves and sustain their creativity. * |
 Harper, N. J. & Dobud, W. W. (2020). Outdoor therapies: an introduction to practices, possibilities, and critical perspectives. Routledge.
Getting help outside a normal office can be useful and effective. The authors introduce us to several kinds of outdoor therapies used to support people’s health. It shows how nature-based activities, like garden work, time in the wilderness, or working with animals, can help people feel better. Harper & Dobbs connect these methods to a bigger idea of caring for the whole person in their environment. * |
 Prilleltensky, I. (2016). The laughing guide to well-being. Rowman & Littlefield.
Prilleltensky uses humor to help people reduce stress and improve their well-being. He mixes funny stories with simple, science-based advice about health and happiness. The chapters explain six areas of well-being, including relationships, work, body, mind, community, and money. The author shows that laughter can make learning about well-being easier and more enjoyable. By the end, readers understand their lives better and learn ways to feel happier and healthier. * |
 Snow, L. (2025). Meditative drawing: learn to draw mandalas and other patterns that foster calm and creativity. Quarto.
Snow believes that everyone can draw. Drawing is as natural to us as breathing. As we grow up, we stop drawing even though, when deep in thought, we still doodle. Snow encourages us to ignore self-doubt and grasp a pen: drawing lowers stress and helps with self-expression. You can use the instructions in the book to reproduce and expand mandalas and learn how to draw mandalas of your own. Or you can take advantage of the downloadable templates and patterns available. The guide is supplemented by links to instructional videos. |
* AI was used to help create the summary.
