Three Rs of healing

Please take a few minutes to answer the survey, and for each section, make sure to give yourself a score.” Our gracious resource person was a lifestyle expert, and she wanted us to go through the exercise to see if we were experiencing some sort of burnout. While it was divided into three parts, in its entirety, it was an analysis of how we felt about our job and the people we work and interact with. While my total score on the Maslach Burnout Inventory landed on the level classified as low, the fact that I was experiencing some form of it warranted a second look at what or who the culprits were, including myself.

How many of us can truly admit that we not only like what we do but thrive in it? My sister has, on more than one occasion, told me to consider myself fortunate, as not everyone gets to realize what they want to be—some are still trying to find their way even in their older years. I wanted to be a doctor, and I am now in a place where I get to enjoy being one, for the sense of purpose and direction it gives me. This mindset has given me more reasons to be grateful for what I experience daily: being with children and working in an environment with people equally invested in caring for them.

Not too long ago, in a coaching session with a department manager, she asked how I was faring in my position as the new head of the section. I replied that apart from struggling to learn administrative matters—particularly rules and policies that need to be revisited for their applicability or the pace at which things are done—I was fine. She looked at me and said, “You don’t have any friction in your office?” Without missing a beat, I said, “No.” She looked me in the eye and said, “I don’t believe you.” I let that conversation end with a period, for there was no need to explain.

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As a team, while there may be areas where we differ in opinion when coming up with solutions or setting long-range plans, we are able to blend and work in harmony because we have learned through the years to celebrate and respect that each and every one of us has our own capabilities, expertise, and unique qualities meant to contribute to our shared goals: to be better physicians, trainers, and administrative leaders in order to provide the best care for the children we have vowed to serve. This is a conscious effort, and we are all still continually learning to be mindful of how our actions can impact others. I have been lucky that this kind of work atmosphere was set by mentors who exemplified what it meant to be truly generous, and who have remained, to this day, pillars of strength and wisdom.

So where is my burnout coming from? While having a shared mission and vision has always kept me afloat, I need to face the fact that it has also been a reason why I am running on empty. If you have ever experienced being consumed by your inability to say no because what is being asked of you is within your capability, please guard against overcommitment—these tasks can easily pile up and drain you. Remember that no one is indispensable, and that the people you want to help may not fully benefit from your efforts if you have nothing more to give.

The lecturer ended the session by sharing solutions on how to recover via the 3 Rs: recognize, recover, and build resilience. She listed seven practical strategies that can actually work—doctor or not—if one takes the time to reflect on where he stands, is honest in his self-analysis, and is willing to change. The seven pointers include the following:

  1. Identify and reduce energy drains.

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  1. Protect your sleep ruthlessly.

  2. Build in small recovery moments.

  3. Reconnect with meaning or joy.

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  1. Move your body for good feelings.

  2. Accept and ask for help.

  3. Set boundaries around technology.

While all of these may seem easy enough, they do require effort and determination to heed her prescription. Starting this week, let’s all take the needed baby steps and observe what it does to help improve our well-being. Happiness and positive feelings can be contagious. I strongly urge you to spread these freely and without inhibition. No precautions are needed.

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