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.

Articles tagged "emotional-awareness-exercises"

Articles tagged "emotional-awareness-exercises"

Self-Care for Busy Women in Healthcare