The Power of the Pause: Creating Engagement and Presence

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in November 2023.

If you’re a surgeon or proceduralist, you already know the power of a timeout. That intentional pause before a procedure—where the entire team stops to confirm the plan, clarify roles, and ensure nothing has been missed—is more than a safety checklist. It’s a brief, structured moment of presence.

What if you took the concept of taking a pause out of the OR or the lab and into the other demanding parts of your day? Taking a moment to come up for air between office visits, meetings, or complex patient care could help to clear your mind and reset your focus. But my guess is that very few of us actually do this.

Backed by Data: The Power of a Brief Reset

Research from Microsoft's Human Factors Lab supports the idea that taking a personal pause can not only help you to reset but may even improve your engagement with your next patient or procedure.

Since this was Microsoft, the study looked at the way people engaged in meetings. The 14 subjects were tasked with wearing an EEG while participating in video meetings. Each meeting lasted 30 minutes. On one day, they took part in four back-to-back meetings, without a break. On the other, each meeting was followed by a 10-minute pause. Instead of simply checking their phones, the participants meditated with the Headspace app.

The results were striking: analysis of brain wave activity revealed that even a short meditation pause led to increased engagement in the meeting that followed.

Conversely, with no pause, there was EEG evidence of greater stress during the next meeting.

We often equate productivity with hours slogged and logged. But this study—and others like it—suggest that sustained engagement may be a more meaningful, and healthier, metric.

The business world may embrace concepts like mindful pauses, but applying them in healthcare can be more challenging. Between the unending inbox, your dwindling support staff, and the push to do just one more thing, the pace can feel relentless.

But that’s exactly why building in brief, intentional moments of stillness—even just a breath between tasks—can be so powerful. These moments give you a chance to regather and reharness your energy and your focus.

Practical Strategies for Pressing Pause

How can you begin to practice taking a pause? It’s not always practical to take a 10-minute break for meditation in the middle of a busy day. But even a few mindful moments can help. Here are a few practical tips that can help you to create a little breathing space for yourself and to be more present for your patients:

Breathe Mindfully

Take a few deep, intentional breaths before going in to see a difficult or complex patient. Focus on the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your body. This simple act can help anchor your awareness to the present moment.

Body Scan

Conduct a quick body scan to release tension. Start from the top of your head and gradually move down to your toes, paying attention to any areas of tightness or discomfort. Allow these areas to relax, even if it’s just a little.

Mindful Observation

Take a moment to observe your surroundings without judgment or reactivity. Notice the colors, textures, and sounds in your environment. This brief shift in attention can provide a mental break and promote a sense of calm.

Name What You’re Feeling

Before moving on to the next patient or task, pause to mentally name what you’re feeling. That could be anything. Perhaps it’s overwhelmed, focused, frustrated, or calm. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s positive, negative, or neutral. This brief check-in helps increase your emotional awareness and gives you a chance to reset before shifting gears.

Feel Your Feet

As you’re walking down the hall or in from the parking lot, take a moment to bring your awareness to the sensation of your feet on the ground. Feel the pressure and the contact as your shoes connect with the floor. This small act of grounding can quickly bring you back to the present.

Set an Intention

Before a meeting or procedure, pause for a few seconds and mentally set an intention. Perhaps it’s “Stay focused,” “Listen with awareness,” or “Lead with presence.” A clear intention can shape how you show up, even in high-pressure moments.

Hand Over Heart

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or scattered, place your hand over your heart and take a few deep breaths. This simple gesture engages your parasympathetic nervous system and can create a sense of grounding and self-compassion.

From Personal Practice to System Shift

Taking a mindful pause is not just a momentary escape from a hectic schedule. By taking a few moments of stillness to reset, you access a powerful way to recharge your energy, sharpen your focus, and deepen your connection with the people you care for. Over time, these brief pauses become an investment in your well-being and in the quality of your presence.

It’s time for healthcare organizations to embrace what companies like Microsoft have already realized: sustainable performance requires space to pause. These moments can’t just be the responsibility of the individual—they must be supported by the system. When organizations stop trying to fill every second and instead allow time for reflection and reset, they empower physicians to stay engaged, energized, and able to deliver their best care.

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Connecting With Your Inner Wisdom: A Journaling Guide for Physicians

With countless demands on your time and attention, it’s easy to lose touch with yourself as you slingshot from one task to the next. This can get you through the day, but after a few months, years, or maybe even decades of living this way, it can be difficult to find your way back to your true self.

I know this, because I experienced this sense of disconnection firsthand. From starting medical school in 1984, through decades of practice, I felt as if I was on a treadmill. I was constantly striving for the next level, whatever that was, and rarely taking a chance to pause or to celebrate. I stayed active, had hobbies and friends, but it all felt pretty frantic. As I began to contemplate my life after cardiology, I wasn’t exactly sure who the “real” me was, or what she wanted next. That’s when I began journaling as a regular practice.

As a full time cardiologist with a busy practice, my days and evenings were highly regimented, with little room to add on yet another task. I was getting nowhere with perseverating over what was making me discontent, and I knew that I needed a way to sort things out.

Journaling was something that I played with over the years, but the habit had never stuck. To be honest, the empty pages always felt a little daunting. So this time, I made a commitment to myself to spend just 10 minutes a day sitting with my thoughts.

The Power of Journaling: A Path Back to Your True Self

Every evening I would pose questions to myself, trying to unravel the knots that I had tied over the years, until I rediscovered the threads that could lead me to my next steps. And remarkably, the process worked! Through introspection and time, I developed a set of goals and a sequence of tiny little steps that got me farther than I ever could have imagined.

This article is the first in a three-part series. In each one, I’ll share a different collection of journaling prompts designed to help you to connect your own dots and rediscover what truly matters to you. Whether you’re exploring a new professional path, planning for retirement, or seeking greater happiness and satisfaction in your life, these prompts will guide you towards clarity and self-awareness.

Getting Started with Journaling

Journaling is a wonderful way to access your own thoughts and values, getting in touch with what matters most to you. It’s a form of mindfulness that doesn’t require any skills or knowledge. All you need is a pen and paper and as few as five minutes.

Why do I say pen and paper, and not a keyboard? Because research has convincingly shown that writing by hand is far more activating for the brain than typing. Newer devices that save and transcribe handwriting, like the reMarkable, may help to bridge the gap between analogue and tech. If writing doesn’t come easily, you could also experiment with dictation. Most important is that you find something that works for you and feels comfortable and natural.  

Journaling to Uncover Your Next Steps

This series of prompts will help you to reflect on your values and your sense of purpose, realigning the trajectory your life into something that feels resonant and clear.

For a kick start, if you haven’t already completed the Values Workbook, this is a great time to begin that exercise. You can get your free copy through my website.

Don’t feel as if you need to take on every prompt. There’s a lot to ponder here! Perhaps choose one or two for the week and see where it takes you.

Exploring Your Values

1. What do I value most about my role as a physician? Are these values reflected in my daily work and life? If not, what changes would need to happen in order for my values to be aligned with my work?

2. If I could describe the legacy I want to leave in one sentence, what would it be? How do I want people to remember me?

3. When have I felt most fulfilled in my career? What about those moments made them meaningful?

Clarifying Your Purpose

1. Why did I choose to become a physician? Does that "why" still resonate with me today? If it has changed, does it still feel true? And if not, what is missing?

2. What parts of my work energize me the most? How can I focus more on these aspects?

3. How does my work align with my personal definition of success? Where am I now in relation to that definition?

Evaluating Your Current Path

1. If my current career trajectory continued for the next 10 years, would I feel proud and content with my life?

2. What sacrifices am I making to sustain my current career path, and are they worth it?

3. Are there aspects of my personal life or passions that I’ve neglected? How can I reintegrate them?

Imagining the Future

1. If I could design my ideal work-life balance, what would it look like? What small steps could I take to get closer to that vision? What could I do today that would start to change things?

2. Imagine a day in your dream life. What are you doing, who are you with, and how do you feel?

3. What skills or interests do I have that I’m not currently using in my career? How might I incorporate them? And what skills do I wish I had? Are they important enough that I want to explore how to acquire them?

Confronting Barriers

1. What fears or doubts are holding me back from making a change I know I need? Are these fears grounded in reality? If so, is there something within my power to change?

2. Who or what am I afraid of disappointing if I follow my heart? How might I address that fear?

3. What is the worst that could happen if I pursued a career change or took on a new role? What strategies could I take to mitigate that? Are there other opportunities that outcome might open up for me?

Building Resilience and Courage

1. When have I faced significant challenges and grown from them? What strengths did I discover?

2. What does courage look like for me right now? How can I embody it in my decisions?

3. Who in my life inspires me to live authentically? What lessons can I learn from them?

Finding Alignment

1. Are there moments in my work when I feel disconnected from my authentic self? How can I realign?

2. How do I want to feel at the end of each day? What changes would help me experience that feeling more often?

3. What small, actionable steps can I take this week to bring more meaning into my work and life?

Cultivating Gratitude and Joy

1. What aspects of my career am I most grateful for? How can I focus more on these positives?

2. When was the last time I felt joy in my personal or professional life? What contributed to that moment?

3. What can I do today to make space for more joy and connection in my life?

In the next article in this series, I’ll share prompts to guide your exploration of personal projects, family connections, and meaningful relationships. The final article of the series explores journaling to envision your future.

If these prompts have been useful, or if you have some of your own that you’d like to share, drop me a line! I’d love to hear from you.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you click on the links, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help to support the website.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary coaching discovery session, click the button below.

Mindfulness: A Surprisingly Practical Tool for Time Management

As a doctor you’ve studied, trained, and practiced for years, probably decades, to provide the best care for your patients. But as our world has become increasingly tech-driven and connected, the pressures from both within and outside of the healthcare workspace for your time and attention have multiplied.

Whether it’s pings from the EHR, text messages from the hospital, urgent calls from colleagues or families, or the never-ending torrent of emails, your attention has become more fragmented than ever before.

When you’re busy and feeling time-pressured, mindfulness may seem to be an uneasy, even unwelcome, construct.  Who has time for it? Yet it turns out that simple mindfulness practices can help you to reframe and de-escalate the struggles of the day.

Mindfulness won’t cure the ills that physicians face in the current healthcare environment, but it can mitigate their impact. In this article I will show you how using mindfulness can create the mental space you need to confidently and calmly manage patient care while protecting your precious time.

Start with Mindful Mornings

Mornings can often feel a little frantic, but finding room for a simple 5-minute mindfulness practice can help to set the tone for your day. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Sit quietly with your morning coffee, allowing time for it to cool while you check in with your breath. Take a slow deep breath in through the nose, pause for a moment, and then breathe out through the mouth. You can use the box breathing technique, or simply find a rhythm that feels comfortable.

• Use a mindfulness app like Insight Timer or Headspace. You can enter the time you have available and you’ll find a wide range of guided meditations.

• Set a 5-minute timer and journal about anything that comes to mind.

Practice Mindful Transitions

Mindful task transitions can help you maintain your focus and prevent mental fatigue. Before moving on to a new task, appointment, or procedure, take a moment to pause, breathe deeply, and clear your mind.

You’ll be more present for your patient, which can build trust and connection. And this mindful pause can enhance your efficiency by helping to prevent the accumulation of mental clutter, or what is known as attention residue.

Embrace Single-Tasking

Multitasking used to be considered a prerequisite superpower for productivity. Doing two or more things at once--what could possibly go wrong? A lot, it turns out.

Emergency Department physicians may be the most pressed to multitask, with a recent Scandinavian study finding that almost 20 percent of their time is engaged this way. Not surprisingly, this study found that the more a physician multitasked, the more stressed they became. And other studies have found that multitasking can increase the risk for errors.

While you may not always have control over who or what interrupts you, it can help to remain mindful of the things that are pulling on your attention. When you are able to tune out distractions and put non-pressing matters on hold, you’re likely to be more productive and efficient with your time.

To tune up your ability to focus, regular meditation can help. That’s because mindfulness meditation is, at its foundation, a practice of returning your attention to the present moment.

Cultivate Presence

What exactly is presence? Actress Anna Deavere Smith, in her book Letters to a Young Artist, counsels that “Presence means you hold your own space, control the space around you, and sometimes welcome others into it.” Here she is describing the persona of an artist, but as a physician, you too are tasked with holding space, while simultaneously creating a place of safety for your patients to enter.

In being present, you are listening mindfully, without jumping to conclusions or judgments. You’re paying attention not only to the words but to the body language and, sometimes, to the unspoken fears beneath the words.

This might sound like it could add time to the encounter, but the truth is that when you lead with mindfulness, your patient is more likely to feel heard and safe. You are more apt to integrate information that might otherwise slip beneath your radar, so your differential may be more accurate.

And as you build trust, your treatment plan may be more readily accepted, and you’re likely to get fewer in-box messages or worried phone calls after the encounter.

End with Mindful Reflection

As you close out the day, take five to ten minutes to reflect on your “wins”, your “dones”, and your “to-dos”. Acknowledge both your successes and areas for improvement, without falling into self-criticism.

By creating a to-do list for the next day, you can set aside your lingering worries and unchecked boxes, knowing that you’ve made a plan to tackle them tomorrow.  

Your closing-down practice could even include stopping at a coffee shop on your way home to enjoy a cup of decaf and take a few minutes to journal and debrief before entering into your home life.

This time between work and home can also give you a safe space to decompress from your work day so that you’re able to be present for your loved ones, making the most of the time remaining in the day.

Conclusion

Mindfulness is not going to solve all that is troubling healthcare. It doesn’t mean pretending that the troublesome systemic problems facing physicians don’t exist. But by cultivating a mindful approach to the day, it’s likely that your time will be spent more meaningfully. And as a result, your focus and productivity will improve, and you’ll have more bandwidth to be present for your patients and your loved ones.

DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website, for which I am grateful! Please do your own research before making any important decisions.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

How to Begin a Meditation Practice: A Guide for Physicians

As a cardiologist, a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, and a yoga teacher, I’ve been fortunate to learn from a diverse group of mentors, ranging from world leaders in cardiology to a former Buddhist monk.

I learned about the power of meditation early on in my professional life and found that the presence and equanimity it cultivated inspired both my medical practice and my life outside of medicine.

If meditation sounds a little too nebulous, out-there, or maybe even intimidating, take heart from knowing that meditation is something that many of our key thought leaders practice on a daily basis. It’s not a new trend or a fad. In fact, mindfulness meditation has been incorporated into healthcare since the 1970s, when molecular biologist Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.  founded the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Meditation can enhance your skills as a physician, improving your ability to focus on details and remain calm under stress. It may improve your sleep quality and even enhance your cardiovascular health.

You don’t need a guru or even a class to learn how to meditate. In this article, I’m sharing some simple ways that you can get started with meditation.

Start Small

Begin with just 3-5 minutes of meditation each day. Even this short duration can offer significant benefits. From there you might try a 10-minute practice.

Some people prefer longer meditations, but it’s good to know that when scientists compared 10-minute to 20-minute sessions, there was very little difference in overall mindfulness measures.

Use Guided Meditations

If you're new to meditation, guided meditations can be very helpful. There are many apps and online resources that offer free guided sessions tailored to different needs and preferences. Some good options are Head Space, Waking Up, Insight Timer, and Calm. Most have free or introductory options.

Find a Quiet Space

It’s hard to meditate when there are too many external stimuli. Although you can learn to meditate anywhere, start by choosing a quiet, comfortable place where you won't be disturbed. If you can close a door and put your phone in do-not-disturb mode, so much the better. This will help to create a calmer environment for relaxation and focus.

Eventually you’ll be able to incorporate this sense of focus and ease into your daily life wherever you happen to find yourself.

Focus on Your Breath

A simple way to begin to meditate is to focus on your breath. Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. There are a number of different ways that the breath can be used in meditation, but there’s no need to overthink it. Just settle into a rhythm that feels comfortable. By bringing your attention to the sensation of the breath, you’ll use it to anchor your meditation.

Go for a Walk

Walking meditation is a legitimate and ancient form of mindfulness practice.  Instead of using the breath as an anchor, walking meditation brings purposeful attention to the movement of your feet as they contact the ground.

Walking meditation is generally slow and contemplative, and often involves walking back and forth on a path. It’s not about getting from one place to the next. It can be done in the space of your living room, but there’s no reason you couldn’t use your walk from the parking lot to the hospital or office as a walking meditation. Most of the apps I’ve referenced above offer options for walking meditation.

Although traditional walking meditation is not fast, some runners find rhythmic running meditative when they mindfully attend to each stride.

Be Consistent

Like anything else, getting started with meditation is a habit to be cultivated. Since briefer meditations of 5-10 minutes can be highly effective, let go of any tendency to think that longer is better.  Consider setting a goal of 3-4 five-minute sessions per week and see how that feels for you.

Don’t give up if you’re not noticing any difference right away. One study found that 8 weeks, but not 4 weeks, of daily meditation improved mood, attention, and fatigue.

Listen to Your Inner Wisdom

Keep in mind that meditation isn’t right for everyone. For instance, although many people with anxiety find meditation helpful, some people will experience worsening anxiety or an uncomfortable feeling of disconnection while meditating. Longer meditations (over 30 minutes) are often more problematic, and retreats can be especially triggering.

If meditation is not right for you right now, remember that simply taking a mindful pause can make all the difference in a hectic day.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

My Podcast Appearance on Dr. Bill Lombardi’s Journey to Better

It was a thrill to appear on legendary cardiologist Dr. Bill Lombardi’s podcast The Journey to Better. I was honored to be invited onto the show to discuss mindfulness, goal setting, and combating burnout.

Dr. Lombardi is one of the highest-volume operators for complex PCI and chronic total occlusions in the world. He has been open about his own struggles with well-being in this high stakes and intense field of cardiology. His episodes will resonate for cardiologists, but also for any physician who has experienced the struggles, highs, and lows of caring for patients in today’s world.

Getting Unstuck: How a Simple Mind Shift Can Move Your Life Forward

If you’re a physician, you’re probably juggling patient care, administrative tasks, and personal responsibilities like a boss. But when you feel the need for something beyond the daily routine, it can feel daunting.

Whether it’s getting up to speed with a new procedure, launching a research study, trying to get some time for self-care, or considering making a complete change of practice or location, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck in an endless loop, unable to break free.

In my practice as a physician coach, I frequently encounter these common challenges. It can seem overwhelming from the inside looking out. But there is a way through, and it begins with understanding why you feel stuck.

In this article, I’ll explore common reasons that physicians feel immobilized, and I’ll offer you some strategies that will get you moving forward with purpose.

Break the Cycle of Repetition

Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results, is not only the classic definition of insanity but it’s also a common trap. Whether it's procrastinating on completing notes, avoiding difficult conversations, or never saying no, these habits can perpetuate your feelings of frustration and stagnation.

Routine can be comforting, since you know what to expect, but it may also be a barrier to growth. When you’re caught up in an endless cycle of repetitive tasks, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters the most to you.

Strategy: Starting small can open up a crack that allows you to see a little more light. As simple as it sounds, begin by introducing small changes in your routine. This could mean taking a different route to work, setting aside just 10 minutes a day to walk or stretch, or incorporating new learning into your practice. Sometimes, the smallest adjustments can lead to significant shifts in perspective and outcomes.

Spring Free of the Inaction Trap

If you don’t take action, you will not get yourself unstuck. It’s that simple. But the fear of making the wrong decision often squashes the potential for change. That doesn’t mean it’s not important to think through your decisions. Be thoughtful and judicious, but don’t get stuck in an infinite cycle of analysis. Realize that taking action can mean taking the smallest of steps.

Strategy: Embrace the concept of ‘progress, not perfection.' Understand that inaction is a decision in itself, and it can be more harmful to your wellbeing and your future opportunities than making an imperfect decision. Start with very small, manageable actions that align with your goals and gradually increase the stakes as you build confidence.

Unaddressed Issues

Not dealing with problems as they arise means that they are given free rein to accumulate. Eventually these unresolved issues may begin to feel overwhelming. And as a consequence, this drag on your energy will make it harder to move forward. Whether it's patient care issues, administrative challenges, or personal matters, avoiding problems doesn't make them disappear.

Strategy: Commit to a proactive approach. Tackle important issues as they arise. You don’t need to solve every pressing problem on the fly. But by putting it in its place, it won’t be overlooked. That could mean delegating, scheduling committed time to address the issue, or even saying no. This not only prevents important issues from escalating but also builds a habit of facing challenges with purposeful action.

The Burden of Incomplete Tasks

Like unresolved issues, incomplete notes and tasks can be a significant source of mental load, leading to a feeling of being perpetually behind and unable to move forward. This is a very common issue for physicians, and one of the most important ones to get a handle on quickly. Your own well-being as well as your patients’ care depends on it.

Strategy: Get those notes done. Use templates, smart phrases, and any other resources available to you to make your notes concise, accurate, and useful. Prioritize and delegate the other tasks crowding your in-box. Addressing each task once and moving on, keeping your responses brief and succinct will help you get through your list. Consider adopting time management techniques, such as the Pomodoro Technique or time-blocking, to efficiently tackle your workload.

The Value Dilemma

Objectively, you probably know you’re valued. Despite the turmoil that many physicians face every day, your patients need you, and the work you do makes a difference.

But it’s easy to undervalue yourself, undermining your self-confidence. You’re not alone. Not believing in one’s own value is a common issue that affects how many doctors perceive their abilities and their worth. And as a result, you may miss opportunities, fail to stand up for yourself, put up with toxic working conditions, or take on projects that go against your won best interests.   

Strategy: Practice self-reflection and affirmation. Remind yourself of your achievements and the unique value you bring to your patients and the medical field. Journaling can be a very useful exercise. Keep a folder or a box with notes from patients and others who express appreciation and give yourself a few moments to revisit this when you’re feeling down.

Seek feedback from peers and mentors when you need it and consider engaging with a coach to build self-confidence and set achievable and meaningful goals.

Conforming to Expectations

Playing to other people's narratives is a common trap that can lead you down a path that doesn't align with your values or aspirations, leaving you feeling stuck in an unfulfilling or ill-fitting role. This is another theme that plays out for so many physicians. It often begins with family expectations, and it may eventually become a way of life.

Strategy: Define your own success. Take time to reflect on what success means to you, independent of anyone else’s expectations. Setting personal and professional goals based on your values and aspirations will ensure that your actions align with who you are and how you want to live your life.

Moving Forward

Feeling stuck doesn’t have to be a way of life. By understanding the underlying reasons and adopting targeted strategies, you can navigate your way out of the quicksand of stagnation.

Take the time to understand your value and remind yourself of the resilience that got you this far. Think of change as a catalyst. Create and then begin to implement a plan to take action, one step after another. Remind yourself that fulfillment is a process that can lead to unexpected growth and opportunities.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

My Podcast Appearance with Kevin MD on Meditation and Mindfulness

I enjoyed my recent conversation with Kevin Pho, M.D. We discussed how mindfulness can have far-reaching effects not only for yourself, but for those you care for. We also discussed the best times for meditation, when you might want to avoid it, and how a brief meditation can impact your sense of well-being.

As a physician coach, I love sharing this story, because it encapsulates how such a simple and brief practice can have a meaningful impact.

Despite often heavy-handed corporate efforts to the contrary, mindfulness is not a bandaid to fix all that is wrong with healthcare. And it’s not a substitute for the meaningful change that is so desperately needed. Instead, it’s a reminder to be present and engage with what is happening right now, without judgement or reactivity.

Through mindfulness, you are can find a way to take a moment in the middle of the daily storm to re-center and reset. And for physicians, that can go a long way towards building stronger relationships with patients and staff based on trust and respect.