Mindfully Conquering Burnout and Cultivating Self-Compassion

by Robert GerardSome thoughts on a transformative program recently completed atUpaya Zen CenterI stared atthis Tweet because I could not fathom how everybody could be this happy.Everyone appeared to sparkle with joy, and I felt an astonishing resentment and discontent by what they must have accomplished. This Tweet rapidly crystallized an awareness that I had not been taking care of myself. I feared my capacity to feel happiness for others had vanished for keeps. There was no denying it was a sign ofburnout. I had become physically tired at the end of the work day. Time and again I was emotionally drained and needed to sit in my car for several minutes before leaving the hospital just to regain my composure. I sensed, and my palliative care team confirmed, I was periodically grouchy and irritable. I had not been taking vacations regularly throughout the year. The worst blow was intermittently missing my beloved choir rehearsals on Tuesday nights because I couldn ’t catch up with notes and patient followups.Professionalburnout is real. It is a burden that does not retreat. One can feel physically, emotionally, and mentally sapped. It creeps into your ordinary thoughts leaving one feeling insecure about job performance and clouds the meaning of your work. In retrospect, it had been eroding my life. I explored the program link and hoped I could address my self neglect:Professional Training Program for Clinicians in Compassionate Care of the Seriously Ill and Dying.I recalled s...
Source: Pallimed: A Hospice and Palliative Medicine Blog - Category: Palliative Care Source Type: blogs