SafeSpace is proudly sponsored by Pastest: a fantastic resource with a huge library of high-quality practice questions and mock exams for a wide range of healthcare professions. So, if you're serious about acing your exams, head over to Pastest.com.
In this episode, Mariam introduces a mindfulness exercise called "dropping anchor," designed to help listeners effectively manage complex thoughts, feelings, and sensations. The exercise follows a simple formula called ACE: Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings, Come back into your body, and Engage in what you're doing. Mariam guides listeners through a series of steps to ground themselves, encouraging them to notice their emotions and physical sensations while reconnecting with their bodies.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
This exercise is designed to help individuals manage difficult thoughts, feelings, and sensations by grounding themselves and breaking free from autopilot mode.
The exercise follows a simple formula: Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings (A), come back into your body (C), and engage in what you're doing (E).
The first step involves recognizing and naming your thoughts and feelings, which helps understand what is happening internally.
The second step emphasizes reconnecting with your body through gentle movements, such as stretching or noticing the sensations of your feet on the floor, while still being aware of your thoughts and feelings.
The final step encourages focusing on the present moment by observing your environment through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, reinforcing the connection between your inner experience and the external world.
BEST MOMENTS
"Dropping anchor involves playing around with a simple formula, ACE. A is for acknowledge your thoughts and feelings."
"The aim is to remain aware of the thoughts and feelings, continue to acknowledge their presence, and at the same time, come back into and connect with the body."
"You might want to take a slow gentle breath in or slowly press your fingertips together or roll your shoulders."
"As we come towards the end, just notice yourself engaging in this exercise. Spend a few moments giving this exercise your full and complete attention."
"It's great to keep practicing these skills. And this is one that you can perhaps do really briefly if you haven't got much time."
HOST BIO
Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.
Dr Melany McKenna is a Clinical Psychologist, Cognitive Analytic Therapy practitioner, and Executive Coach. With a specialist interest in staff wellbeing, and supporting NHS professionals, Dr McKenna offers psychologically informed reflections, prompting us to consider staff wellbeing from a systemic perspective.
If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here.
PODCAST DESCRIPTION
SafeSpace is a new grounding and respite podcast aimed at Healthcare Professionals focused on staff wellbeing in the healthcare work environment, a grossly overlooked issue and yet, the cornerstone of the healthcare system which is why it is crumbling. There are 3 components to the podcast:
- Candid interviews with healthcare leaders, and a wide variety of passionate healthcare professionals about their own experiences and struggles with their well-being as they have progressed through their careers
- Reflective discussions with a clinical psychologist, my co-host, regarding key topics that have arisen such as coping with bullying, depression, burnout, grief, menopause, etc
- Guided meditations specific to the healthcare worker getting ready for the day ahead, pausing during, winding down, and accepting following the working day.
This podcast is not a panacea or substitute for a formal management plan, but a motivating, and catharsis tool to help during a stressful day.
