Self-Care for Busy Women in Healthcare
Learn mindfulness techniques for healthcare professionals to manage stress and prioritize self-care. Discover emotional awareness exercises for burnout prevention.
The Challenge of Self-Care for Busy Women in Medicine
During a women's health conference workshop, physicians, nurses, therapists, and administrators gathered to explore a critical question: How can healthcare professionals practice self-care when constantly caring for others? While all understood the "oxygen mask" metaphor intellectually, truly embodying this self-care principle proved more challenging.
A Powerful Mindfulness Exercise for Stress Awareness
We conducted a simple but profound exercise to help participants connect with their emotional experience of busyness:
- Close your eyes and visualize a typical busy day
- Notice the details (time, location, people present)
- Release mental narratives and focus on bodily sensations
- Observe without judgment: tightness, energy, peace, or tension
- Stay present with whatever arises
Key Emotional Discoveries from Healthcare Workers
When these high-achieving women shared their experiences, professional hierarchies dissolved. Common emotional themes emerged:
- Anxiety about patient outcomes
- Fear of not being enough
- Sadness from constant giving
- Loneliness despite being surrounded
- Anger at systemic pressures
The Hidden Cost of Constant Busyness
Many participants realized they used busyness as:
- An emotional avoidance strategy
- A distraction from inner emptiness
- A way to delay difficult personal work
Practical Self-Care Strategies for Medical Professionals
To cultivate emotional awareness and prevent burnout:
- Start with 10 minutes of morning meditation
- Keep a daily journal for reflection
- Take 20-minute silent walks
- Schedule regular check-ins with colleagues
Why Emotional Awareness Matters in Healthcare
When healthcare workers make space for their feelings:
- Emotions become valuable information
- Energy redirects toward what truly matters
- Compassion grows for self and others
- Better decisions emerge from inner wisdom
"Listening to yourself with tenderness is essential for inner peace." - Joan Borysenko, Ph.D.
Reprinted with permission from HealYourLife.com Copyright © 2011 (Hay House).
About the Author:
Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., is a Harvard-trained expert on stress, spirituality, and mind-body health. Learn more at www.JoanBorysenko.com.