Academic Medicine Open Forum

How are you taking care of yourselves?

Look, I don't need to tell you that working in academic medicine can be stressful. And we all know stress isn't good for our mental or physical health. So many employers are instituting wellness initiatives to create healthier, more supportive, less stressful environments for their employees. Why not your institution?

The new AAMC "Empowering Wellness" report shares examples of six well-being initiatives from across academic medicine, and insights from the leaders who built them. And there's no need to stress about how much it costs because it's free!

So, tell us, how are you empowering wellness in your life? Yoga? Trashy reality TV? You're among friends here so anything's fair game.

This is so timely, @Mia Bechak and @Maria Fernanda Barbaran after your amazing Cultivating Ease event last week. For those who weren't able to attend, we had a lovely conversation about exactly this - taking care of ourselves - through the current podcasts we are all listening to and the list was long, varied and we all left with new lists! 

Below you find the list of podcasts that were shared by attendees, as well as additional resources for wellness and self-care.

1. Podcasts for Wellness & Self-Care

• The Happiness Lab by Dr. Laurie Santos – Focuses on science-backed strategies for happiness and well-being.
• UnFck Your Brain* by Kara Loewentheil – Discusses topics related to mindfulness, empowerment, and mental health.
• On Being with Krista Tippett – Explores deep questions around meaning, faith, and personal well-being.
• Meditative Story – Blends storytelling with meditation, ideal for moments of reflection and peace.
• The Calm Collective – Focuses on mindfulness, self-care, and finding peace in the chaos of life.

2. Mindfulness Apps

• Calm: Offers guided meditation, sleep stories, and calming music.
• Headspace: Focuses on mindfulness practices with options for anxiety, stress relief, and sleep.
• Insight Timer: Free guided meditations and a wide variety of music tracks designed for relaxation.

3. Self-Care Strategies

• Routine Setting: Create a morning or evening routine focused on self-care, such as a relaxing bath, meditation, or journaling.
• Exercise & Movement: Regular physical activity like yoga, stretching, or walking can reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
• Digital Detox: Set aside time to disconnect from screens and engage in offline activities like reading, cooking, or going outside.
• Mindful Eating: Focus on nourishing foods that support your physical and emotional health.

4. Recommended Reading & Resources

• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – A classic on mindfulness and living in the present moment.
• Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach – Combines mindfulness and self-compassion to help with emotional healing.
• Apps:
• Breethe: Meditation and mindfulness app with a focus on stress relief and relaxation.
• Buddhify: Guided meditations designed for everyday life and busy schedules.

5. Journaling Prompts

• "How do I feel today, and what self-care activities would support me?"
• "What is one small thing I can do today to bring myself peace or relaxation?"
• "What self-care habit can I start to incorporate into my daily routine?"

Actionable Takeaways

• Start each day with 5 minutes of mindful breathing or journaling.
• Incorporate one new wellness podcast into your weekly routine.

Podcast Recommendations from the Cultivating Ease call:

1. All Songs Considered
2. RadioLab
3. Factually! with Adam Conover
4. Good Hang with Amy Pohler
5. Indivisible
6. Afford Anything
7. Reclaiming with Monical Lewinsky
8. Financial Feminist
9. ReThinking (Adam Grant)
10. A Bit of Optimism (Simon Sinek)
11. Smartless
12. The Moth
13. One Song
14. Coffee Beans and Booze
15. Hidden Brains
16. The Peter Attia Drive
17. The History Chicks
18. WellRED
19. Blocks with Neal Brennan
20. Angela Yee's Lip Service
21. The Breakfast Club
22. Criminal Life - Michael Swango
23. Hoopla
24. Kill List

What are you listening to?

Couldn't make it? No worries! Our next community champion-led call is coming up! Join us for Session 2 on September 19 from 12-1 pm EST with @Gauri Agarwal, MD, from Miami School of Medicine, and @Lori DeShetler from University of Toledo. Together, they will guide us through an engaging discussion on AI in Action. This one-hour session invites members to share their experiences using AI to enhance both their work and personal lives. 

How are you taking care of yourselves?

Look, I don't need to tell you that working in academic medicine can be stressful. And we all know stress isn't good for our mental or physical health. So many employers are instituting wellness initiatives to create healthier, more supportive, less stressful environments for their employees. Why not your institution?

The new AAMC "Empowering Wellness" report shares examples of six well-being initiatives from across academic medicine, and insights from the leaders who built them. And there's no need to stress about how much it costs because it's free!

So, tell us, how are you empowering wellness in your life? Yoga? Trashy reality TV? You're among friends here so anything's fair game.

I love this!

May I add to your book list: Rest as Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey. So important to remember that self care is fighting back!

This is so timely, @Mia Bechak and @Maria Fernanda Barbaran after your amazing Cultivating Ease event last week. For those who weren't able to attend, we had a lovely conversation about exactly this - taking care of ourselves - through the current podcasts we are all listening to and the list was long, varied and we all left with new lists! 

Below you find the list of podcasts that were shared by attendees, as well as additional resources for wellness and self-care.

1. Podcasts for Wellness & Self-Care

• The Happiness Lab by Dr. Laurie Santos – Focuses on science-backed strategies for happiness and well-being.
• UnFck Your Brain* by Kara Loewentheil – Discusses topics related to mindfulness, empowerment, and mental health.
• On Being with Krista Tippett – Explores deep questions around meaning, faith, and personal well-being.
• Meditative Story – Blends storytelling with meditation, ideal for moments of reflection and peace.
• The Calm Collective – Focuses on mindfulness, self-care, and finding peace in the chaos of life.

2. Mindfulness Apps

• Calm: Offers guided meditation, sleep stories, and calming music.
• Headspace: Focuses on mindfulness practices with options for anxiety, stress relief, and sleep.
• Insight Timer: Free guided meditations and a wide variety of music tracks designed for relaxation.

3. Self-Care Strategies

• Routine Setting: Create a morning or evening routine focused on self-care, such as a relaxing bath, meditation, or journaling.
• Exercise & Movement: Regular physical activity like yoga, stretching, or walking can reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
• Digital Detox: Set aside time to disconnect from screens and engage in offline activities like reading, cooking, or going outside.
• Mindful Eating: Focus on nourishing foods that support your physical and emotional health.

4. Recommended Reading & Resources

• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – A classic on mindfulness and living in the present moment.
• Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach – Combines mindfulness and self-compassion to help with emotional healing.
• Apps:
• Breethe: Meditation and mindfulness app with a focus on stress relief and relaxation.
• Buddhify: Guided meditations designed for everyday life and busy schedules.

5. Journaling Prompts

• "How do I feel today, and what self-care activities would support me?"
• "What is one small thing I can do today to bring myself peace or relaxation?"
• "What self-care habit can I start to incorporate into my daily routine?"

Actionable Takeaways

• Start each day with 5 minutes of mindful breathing or journaling.
• Incorporate one new wellness podcast into your weekly routine.

Podcast Recommendations from the Cultivating Ease call:

1. All Songs Considered
2. RadioLab
3. Factually! with Adam Conover
4. Good Hang with Amy Pohler
5. Indivisible
6. Afford Anything
7. Reclaiming with Monical Lewinsky
8. Financial Feminist
9. ReThinking (Adam Grant)
10. A Bit of Optimism (Simon Sinek)
11. Smartless
12. The Moth
13. One Song
14. Coffee Beans and Booze
15. Hidden Brains
16. The Peter Attia Drive
17. The History Chicks
18. WellRED
19. Blocks with Neal Brennan
20. Angela Yee's Lip Service
21. The Breakfast Club
22. Criminal Life - Michael Swango
23. Hoopla
24. Kill List

What are you listening to?

Couldn't make it? No worries! Our next community champion-led call is coming up! Join us for Session 2 on September 19 from 12-1 pm EST with @Gauri Agarwal, MD, from Miami School of Medicine, and @Lori DeShetler from University of Toledo. Together, they will guide us through an engaging discussion on AI in Action. This one-hour session invites members to share their experiences using AI to enhance both their work and personal lives. 

How are you taking care of yourselves?

Look, I don't need to tell you that working in academic medicine can be stressful. And we all know stress isn't good for our mental or physical health. So many employers are instituting wellness initiatives to create healthier, more supportive, less stressful environments for their employees. Why not your institution?

The new AAMC "Empowering Wellness" report shares examples of six well-being initiatives from across academic medicine, and insights from the leaders who built them. And there's no need to stress about how much it costs because it's free!

So, tell us, how are you empowering wellness in your life? Yoga? Trashy reality TV? You're among friends here so anything's fair game.

And I'd add this article: Laziness Does Not Exist. Psychological research is clear: when… | by Devon Price | Human Parts

The article has been expanded into a book, but I think the article is all one really needs :)

I keep it bookmarked because I send it to students so often. 

I love this!

May I add to your book list: Rest as Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey. So important to remember that self care is fighting back!

This is so timely, @Mia Bechak and @Maria Fernanda Barbaran after your amazing Cultivating Ease event last week. For those who weren't able to attend, we had a lovely conversation about exactly this - taking care of ourselves - through the current podcasts we are all listening to and the list was long, varied and we all left with new lists! 

Below you find the list of podcasts that were shared by attendees, as well as additional resources for wellness and self-care.

1. Podcasts for Wellness & Self-Care

• The Happiness Lab by Dr. Laurie Santos – Focuses on science-backed strategies for happiness and well-being.
• UnFck Your Brain* by Kara Loewentheil – Discusses topics related to mindfulness, empowerment, and mental health.
• On Being with Krista Tippett – Explores deep questions around meaning, faith, and personal well-being.
• Meditative Story – Blends storytelling with meditation, ideal for moments of reflection and peace.
• The Calm Collective – Focuses on mindfulness, self-care, and finding peace in the chaos of life.

2. Mindfulness Apps

• Calm: Offers guided meditation, sleep stories, and calming music.
• Headspace: Focuses on mindfulness practices with options for anxiety, stress relief, and sleep.
• Insight Timer: Free guided meditations and a wide variety of music tracks designed for relaxation.

3. Self-Care Strategies

• Routine Setting: Create a morning or evening routine focused on self-care, such as a relaxing bath, meditation, or journaling.
• Exercise & Movement: Regular physical activity like yoga, stretching, or walking can reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
• Digital Detox: Set aside time to disconnect from screens and engage in offline activities like reading, cooking, or going outside.
• Mindful Eating: Focus on nourishing foods that support your physical and emotional health.

4. Recommended Reading & Resources

• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – A classic on mindfulness and living in the present moment.
• Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach – Combines mindfulness and self-compassion to help with emotional healing.
• Apps:
• Breethe: Meditation and mindfulness app with a focus on stress relief and relaxation.
• Buddhify: Guided meditations designed for everyday life and busy schedules.

5. Journaling Prompts

• "How do I feel today, and what self-care activities would support me?"
• "What is one small thing I can do today to bring myself peace or relaxation?"
• "What self-care habit can I start to incorporate into my daily routine?"

Actionable Takeaways

• Start each day with 5 minutes of mindful breathing or journaling.
• Incorporate one new wellness podcast into your weekly routine.

Podcast Recommendations from the Cultivating Ease call:

1. All Songs Considered
2. RadioLab
3. Factually! with Adam Conover
4. Good Hang with Amy Pohler
5. Indivisible
6. Afford Anything
7. Reclaiming with Monical Lewinsky
8. Financial Feminist
9. ReThinking (Adam Grant)
10. A Bit of Optimism (Simon Sinek)
11. Smartless
12. The Moth
13. One Song
14. Coffee Beans and Booze
15. Hidden Brains
16. The Peter Attia Drive
17. The History Chicks
18. WellRED
19. Blocks with Neal Brennan
20. Angela Yee's Lip Service
21. The Breakfast Club
22. Criminal Life - Michael Swango
23. Hoopla
24. Kill List

What are you listening to?

Couldn't make it? No worries! Our next community champion-led call is coming up! Join us for Session 2 on September 19 from 12-1 pm EST with @Gauri Agarwal, MD, from Miami School of Medicine, and @Lori DeShetler from University of Toledo. Together, they will guide us through an engaging discussion on AI in Action. This one-hour session invites members to share their experiences using AI to enhance both their work and personal lives. 

How are you taking care of yourselves?

Look, I don't need to tell you that working in academic medicine can be stressful. And we all know stress isn't good for our mental or physical health. So many employers are instituting wellness initiatives to create healthier, more supportive, less stressful environments for their employees. Why not your institution?

The new AAMC "Empowering Wellness" report shares examples of six well-being initiatives from across academic medicine, and insights from the leaders who built them. And there's no need to stress about how much it costs because it's free!

So, tell us, how are you empowering wellness in your life? Yoga? Trashy reality TV? You're among friends here so anything's fair game.