Mindful Medicine Practices for Self-Care in Times of Increased Stress In this time,
As COVID-19 is sweeping from Asia to Europe and now across America,
Healthcare workers,
Mental health professionals,
And first responders are experiencing levels of anxiety and grief that they have never experienced before.
They are going to work knowing that they will not have adequate protective or therapeutic equipment.
They are afraid they are taking the virus home to infect their families or afraid that they might have become silent carriers and are infecting the very patients they are sworn to save.
They are facing ethical dilemmas on an emergency basis,
Without prior training or the opportunity to consult an ethics committee.
They are working overtime,
Sometimes with double the usual patient loads,
Against a virus and a disease course that we still know so little about and without any proven medications.
When we are under the most stress,
When we are working deep in the trenches of human suffering,
That is the very time we need to increase the dose of the medicine that will help us remain or restore ourselves to being centered,
Clear-minded,
And compassionate.
It is also a time when most healthcare workers cannot afford to take 30 minutes to meditate in the silence of a meditation hall or even at home.
Here are some short practices that busy healthcare,
Mental health workers,
And emergency responders can use while at work.
When they detect that anxiety is arising and interfering with their ability to focus and work quickly and efficiently,
These are practices that can help the mind stop spinning,
Provide mental refreshment,
And bring us back to a place of internal balance.
How to remind yourself.
You can place a sign on your desk or tape it to your computer or carry something unusual in your pocket like a smooth stone to remind yourself of these practices.
