self-care in healthcare

What’s the likelihood that you as a healthcare professional can be emotionally triggered by your work? Trauma and adverse events within health care settings impact everyone. Studies indicate that many healthcare professionals suffer in silence as they deal with anxiety, stress, shame, and guilt as a result of adverse clinical and traumatic experiences / events. Instead of suffering in silence, physicians, medical students, and healthcare professionals need to have a safe space and resources to talk about the trauma they experience and receive the appropriate support they need and deserve.

Remember, even though you are a healthcare professional, you are also just as human and vulnerable as your patients...

-What unresolved emotions reside in you?
-What memories and experiences do you take home from the hospital or clinic?
-Who are you becoming as you practice in your field of expertise?
-How is your healthcare career affecting your life, your health, your relationships?

You can have a career in healthcare with resources that support you on both a personal and professional level.

Heart First Medicine Academy has just what you are looking for! The first FREE online masterclass "Rehab for the Heart" is being held in February.

Message Dr. Deb Howell for more information at https://www.facebook.com/drdebhowell/

When will you start to care? You, the healthcare professional, are a valuable resource for health and healing in our healthcare environments. Do you feel that you are immune to illness and injury? Are you enjoying good health or are you possibly a step away from being a patient yourself? Caring for yourself matters and needs to be a priority in your daily life. Invest in your self-care or you may ultimately pay a hefty price with your livelihood and life. You must prepare and protect yourself in this vital role you play in caring for others. 

More on this topic and how you can receive support at: www.doseofdeborah.com

What do you consider as resistance? What is resistance as it is felt in the body? Resistance sets us up for aches and pains that can be physical, mental, and emotional. Resistance can show up in sleep habits, attitudes, and performance, and has a cumulative effect over time. Tune-in to learn more on how resistance can be visually witnessed and felt by the individual when you are aware and take moments to pause.

When end of life comes suddenly with no time to prepare, you can feel thrown off, shaken, or awakened. As Healthcare professionals, we deal with life and death situations as a natural part of caregiving as well as what we experience in our personal lives. We are just as vulnerable to life’s uncertainties as the patients and clients we serve. Have you given thought to how you live your life right now and how you would like to be remembered? I open my heart to you in this episode to share a personal experience that occurred this week, feelings of loss and sadness and heartfelt celebration which has given me pause for deep reflection.

The challenge to care is real! Ever feel like you want to pull your hair out, feel exhausted, want to quit, or question why you are in healthcare? You are not alone. As a healthcare professional, you need several skill-sets beyond competence to be effective as well as enjoy your work. This podcast highlights a particular skill-set essential to your peace of mind and longevity in the health care-giving arena.

Hear the incredible story behind the question that impacted my life which is one of the most important questions you can ask yourself!

Let's talk about the influence you have on your patients. Recognize the importance of caring for yourself as a healthcare provider – the relationship of your health and livelihood to patient safety and outcomes. 

• How are you showing up every day to care for your patients? 
• Are you paying attention to how you feel as you practice? 
• What are the personal costs to you and the costs to the healthcare system at large if you don’t make self-care a priority?

A heartfelt talk about a personal loss... reflect on what it means to you as a healthcare professional to care for yourself as you care for others. The complexities and challenges in healthcare are real and costly, and they directly affect you every day. It's time to take a look at your values and explore your reasons for being in healthcare.

• What did you learn about "caring" in your formative medical or nursing training and internships?