Integrative Health in Your Own Life: Clinician Self-Care

Integrative Health emphasizes the importance of clinician self-care and care for the caregiver; as a clinician, your well-being is a priority too.  Just as it does for patients, Integrative Health for clinicians incorporates mindful awareness and health planning elements such as self-assessment and goal setting.  In addition to the intrinsic value of your health, the health of you, as a clinician, also has a powerful effect on your patients.  This overview focuses on a variety ways to protect yourself from burnout and increase your resilience.

Key Points

• As a clinician, your health matters in its own right.  You get to be the “Me” at the center of the Circle of Health too!

• Everything that you learn about Integrative Health for others can also potentially apply to you.

• As a clinician, your state of health and health practices affect your patient care.

• Many clinicians suffer from burnout, which is linked to poor outcomes, such as suicide, substance use, and depression.

• Burnout arises from many causes.  If you are experiencing it, seek help and support.  Resist the temptation to blame yourself.

• Resilience is the remedy for – or alternative to– burnout.  There are many ways to increase resilience in your life, at both a personal and professional level.