Mindfulness and Medicine: Recent Episodes
Alexandra Allman
Being in medicine can be tough-as a medical student, resident, or faculty member. Taking just a few minutes to re-center, re-focus, and re-charge can powerfully affect healthcare workers happiness, and the care we give to patients. Whether its dealing with the stress of studying for Step 1 or a difficult patient encounter, a few moments for yourself can get your day back on track. Also listen to experts and learn how mindfulness has changed their medical practice and well-being.
Medicine can feel like a lot of delayed gratification and worry about the future. Take a couple of minutes to come back to the present and find some stability in the here and now.
Studying for Step 1 can be one of the most stressful and challenging times in medical school. This period, known as "Dedicated", often comes with anxiety about tests, scores, even possibilities of matching into certain specialties. Sometimes even negative feelings of comparison or jealousy toward others can arise. Take a few minutes to find some openness and let some of these negative feelings go.
What does stress feel like in your body? Take a couple minutes to recognize this stress, and let some of it go.
The last thing we all need during stress is to be hard on ourselves. Take a couple moments to take the pressure off so you can get back to what you need to do with renewed focus, energy, and positivity.
Feeling grateful for others is a powerful way to find joy and happiness in your own life. Take a couple minutes to thank some of your biggest supports who have helped along the way.