IM Wellness

Establishing Good Habits

Residents receive specific training and mentoring on staying well when they are extremely busy and how to develop healthy living habits. It is our hope that the good habits they develop now can will help them be more effectivealso work in their lives in the future when time may also be extremely limited. Though it is never easy to make changes, the opportunity to be well in the storm exists. Some simple strategies, a lot of practice, group support, and some coaching or mentoring help our residents be amongst the happiest and healthiest of any family practice residency.   

Here are a few principles we teach:

1. The 5 Pillars of Wellness: These are Fuel (generally speaking the food you eat and the liquids you drink), Movement (enough to keep you from getting restless or injured), Relaxation (including humor as a tool), Sleep (making it a priority after a hard shift), and Support (learning how to be there for yourself and others); built on the foundation of personal purpose and meaning.

2. Life Management for Extreme Conditions: creating a plan for moving the few things that are really important to your wellbeing forward when time is a premium.  The system we have developed is based on creating small steps and doing them regularly and redefining success in the early stages to noticing.

These principles in addition to the supportive environment allow for the possibility of health and wellness to exist along side residency training (most of the time).