If you would like to submit a tip for this website, please email it to harold.pass@stonybrookmedicine.edu.
OCTOBER, 2019
Make a pledge to think about (being mindful) of when you use your smart phone. It is now well known that improving engagement with colleagues decreases burnout, improves patient care and overall improves well-being. The way many of us are using our phones minimizes eye contact with others and decreases actually talking to someone.
Furthermore, burying ones face in a phone can be dangerous. For example, the next time that you are driving in the garage, notice how many people are crossing the aisles while looking at their phones and not paying attention to cars that are approaching.
Instead of looking at your phone while walking around the Hospital, think about saying” hello”,” good morning” or” how was your weekend?”. Being connected to others is what engagement is all about.
Try to get outside and enjoy the Fall air and looking at the leaves as they change color.
Please send me any suggestions for a Tip that you may have.
Past Tips of the Month
SEPTEMBER, 2019
Excerpted from the NY Times. Sept 2, 2019.
“Embrace laziness.
Yes, yes, you’re busy, I’m busy, we’re busy living ourselves to
exhaustion. But if you have the day off, take a conscious stand against
all of the busyness. Being busy is rarely the status indicator we’ve
come to believe it is. Nonetheless, the impact is real, and instances
of burnout, anxiety disorders and stress related diseases are on the
rise….Give yourself permission to plant yourself in front of the tv,
recharge your batteries and get a good night’s sleep. It might even
make you more productive at work this week.”
Summer may be over,
but staying mindful of what you can do to take care of yourself remains
an important priority. Healthy clinicians provide better patient care
and have more positive engagement with colleagues. Clinicians Well-Being
Committee
AUGUST, 2019
Before the summer is over, if you have not already done so, take time off for a vacation. Plan to do something or go somewhere that you will enjoy. Try to “unplug” as much as possible so that you give yourself an opportunity to fully re-charge your batteries. Fall is also a great time to take a vacation. Places are usually less crowded and less expensive. If going away is not practical, plan on a “staycation”. There are plenty of fun things to do on Long Island in the summer and the fall.
JULY, 2019
Self-Care is not Selfish
Decide to give yourself a few minutes
of each day to get to know yourself. Think about what you need to feel
authentic and practice committing to do something kind for yourself
every day.
Keep in mind that you can only take care of others if you are taking care of yourself first.
Re-discover
your purpose. We spend too much time existing rather that living. You
can nourish yourself by listening to your gut and getting out of your
head more.
Validate your own feelings. You are allowed to feel
sad and you are allowed to feel happy. Too much time is spent being who
we think others expect us to be. Taking care of yourself, reinforces
that you are worthy and helps provide for a safe space for your
emotions.
JUNE, 2019
From The New York Times: “Lighten your stress load by letting go of your grudges”. Is there any real gain from holding on to old hurts, slights and grudges or is there a significant benefit from giving them up and moving on. Research has shown that forgiveness is a learnable skill that provides a tangible sense of relief. Carrying anger is associated with increased stress and a higher rate of immune mediated diseases. Therefore, try practicing giving up some of those old grudges and practicing a little forgiveness and gratitude.
May, 2019
Research has shown that having something enjoyable to look forward to at the end of the work week can activate pleasure centers in the brain and buffer some the usual work-week stressors.
Therefore, try to plan an enjoyable activity for yourself or with your romantic partner, family or friends before the week begins. Anticipating something on the weekend that will be fun to look forward to during the week, will enhance your sense of well-being.
April 2019
There is an old expression that says, ”It is better to give than to receive”. Recent brain research has now demonstrated that it gives people more pleasure when they give to another person than when they receive something.
Therefore, take some time to let a family member, colleague or friend know that you are pleased and grateful for something that they said or did. Showing gratitude will make the other person feel better, and it will also improve your well being.
March 2019
Paying attention to your work-life balance often gets neglected; especially when you are juggling so many balls in the air on a daily basis. Research has demonstrated that if you plan to have a pleasurable event to look forward to at the beginning of your work week, the remainder of the week seems to go by more quickly and one’s overall feeling of well-being increases. So, try to plan to do something that is enjoyable that you can look forward to.
February 2019
If you or someone you know is having a difficult time, connect with someone who can provide support. This could be a colleague, a friend, a family member or a mental health professional. If someone you know is feeling down, ask them if there is something you can do to be helpful or supportive. Try to be compassionate to yourself and to others. It will go a long way.
January 2019
Sometimes we take life too seriously. Research has demonstrated that Laughter is good for your health.
Laughter
relaxes the entire body, it improves relationships, reduces blood
pressure, boosts your immune system, promotes the release of
endorphins, lowers stress hormones, is cardio-protective, reduces
distressing emotions, burns calories and laughter may help you to live
longer.
You can create opportunities to laugh by: watching a
funny film or TV program, go to a comedy club with friends, share a
funny joke or story, goof around with your children, play with your pet,
do something silly or just make time for a fun activity.
Enjoy the Holidays and Have a Happy and Health New Year.
From the Well-Being Committee,
Harold L. Pass, PhD
December 2018
Submitted by Dr. Ursala Landman from the Department of Anesthesiology
- Step outside- be still and just listen. Amazing what we hear when we stop and listen.
- Try to get outside, no matter what the weather and feel the wind, rain and snow hit your face
- Fall is a great time to plant bulbs outside or plant something inside for you to enjoy in the spring
- Write down something on a stone or ball of paper that worries you and then throw it in to the water at the beach or a pond.
November 2018
Smart phones have made staying in contact with people more convenient as well as enabling people to perform work related and recreational activities possible 24/7.
However, there is a down side to all of this convenience including interfering with one’s work-life balance and more importantly, decreasing meaningful face to face contact with others.
Therefore please consider:
- When you enter the elevator in the morning and during the day, instead of checking your email or texting, greet the person next to you with a simple “good morning” or “have a good day”.
- When eating with others or alone, try putting your phone away and talk with the people you are with or just enjoy the quiet time.
- Try putting your phone away at least one to two hours before going to sleep. The light from your phone will disrupt your sleep.
- Never talk or text while driving (even in the parking garage). It is as distracting as driving while impaired.
October 2018
1. Connect with a person that you have not seen for a while. Personal connections bring joy and reduce the risk of burnout.
2. Think of some one that you are grateful for each day. Perhaps you can reach out to a colleague or friend or maybe a patient that you are grateful for. Find something big or small and let them know of your gratitude.
3. Try to perform three acts of random kindness each day. Hold open a door or perhaps buy a cup of coffee for a stranger on line with you. Kindness is contagious and is associated with increased well-being.
Other Reading:
Work-Life Balance
Keeping Joy in My Life
A Reflection by Dr. Latha Chandran (Read more)
Work-Life Balance Doesn’t Just Happen
It is challenging to
juggle the demands of your job and the rest of your life. However,
creating the appropriate balance for you will bring more control and
enjoyment to your life...(Read more)
Mindful Practice in Medicine Exploring How to Reduce Physician Burnout
By: Ronald Epstein, MD PowerPoint Presentation (Download - PDF).
Conference Date: January 27, 2018
A Timely Essay from Judy Crowell, MD,
A member of the Physicians Well Being Committee