Proper self-care is impossible in the modern academic environment

I am not defending university life but I do not know where this author has been all their life not to realise what it is like. I remember talking to colleagues in the 1990s where we agreed that academic life will destroy at least one of relationships, family and hobbies (unless it is the career that suffers). It is not for many people and I would not now advise most of my students to embark on an academic career. It still offers some freedom but has got worse in my many years as an academic.

Higher education institutions must urgently implement systemic adjustments to prioritise work-life balance in a highly social, interactive, and demanding work environment, provide robust mental health support systems for academic staff members, and allow them greater autonomy to direct their own workloads and schedules. Currently, work-life balancing does not receive enough attention in higher education.