Need some help with your selfcare? Head over to the Wellbeing Resource on our website (qnis.org.uk)

How often do you get to take a moment and find stillness?

In this episode, we explore the topic of mindfulness and its importance in self-care for healthcare professionals.

Clare Cable is joined by Stephanie Wilson who shares valuable insights into the practice of mindfulness and how it can help prevent burnout.

Key Takeaways

• Mindfulness is a practice that helps us observe what is happening in the present moment without judgment. By stepping back from automatic thinking patterns, we can gain awareness and prevent getting caught up in our thoughts.
• Stephanie explains that mindfulness involves becoming an observer of our thinking mind and noticing how our thoughts impact our emotions. Through practice, we can learn to watch our thoughts without judgment or attachment.
• Contrary to popular belief, mindfulness does not require emptying the mind of thoughts. Instead, it involves observing thoughts as they arise and letting them go more easily by naming them.
• The internal anatomy of mindfulness includes observing thinking patterns, recognizing emotions without trying to fix them, being aware of bodily sensations, and identifying reactive behaviors. These practices help us gain insight and take better care of ourselves.

More About Stephanie Wilson

Stephanie Wilson is a Specialist Physiotherapist in Long Term Condition and Pain Management working in Glasgow. She is a trained Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher and teaches mindfulness for chronic pain, fatigue and cancer, and to stressed NHS staff. Stephanie discovered mindfulness through training for her professional role, however quickly realised how this approach could be of huge personal benefit. Developing mindfulness skills has helped her manage the busyness and stresses of family life as well as her clinical work. She is part of the team at Mindfulness Scotland, a charity promoting the benefits of mindfulness to organisations and individuals.

Resources mentioned in this episode

Mindfulness Scotland

Mindful Nation UK report

Healthy Minds Innovation Dr Richard Davidson

Palouse mindfulness offers a complete, free, online 8-week MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) course, including audio, video and lots of supplementary reading. Highly recommended for those who want to investigate further at their own pace.

The Mindfulness Association: offers a range of online courses. This organisation is based in Scotland and connected to the Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

You can find a whole suite of useful wellbeing resources to help you on your self-care journey at our website.

Wellbeing Resource (qnis.org.uk)

These resources do not replace professional advice; they are a series of tools that people or groups can use for self-care or self-management. If you’re in need of significant help or support here’s where you can go.