Gallery of Voices
In this section, we hear from participants of Mindful Caring,
as well as from local mindfulness practitioners in healthcare.
Voices from 2021
Mindful Caring Medical Students
As a medical student, I face the realities of sickness every day. Seeing how illness brings suffering to individuals and sorrow to families is not something that can be done without the heart becoming inevitably affected. Academic load aside, the knowledge that one day I’ll be their guide through sickness is a heavy burden.
The weight of human suffering is immense. Before I care for another, I learnt to give an equal proportion of care and compassion to myself. Only by loving myself can I give my all towards loving others. In each moment of tragedy, I allow myself to feel the weight of my emotions—validating them, accepting them. Self-compassion builds compassion for others.
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Where mindfulness has come to the rescue is by attuning and training my mind to the present. Yesterday is over, tomorrow can wait, just focus on today. In moments of anxiety, I learn to take a few breaths. In times of distress, I tune in to my bodily sensations to stay grounded. And in this rooting, I find the peace that is always within reach (even if it is sometimes hidden).
The benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion may not be readily apparent. Just as the farmer has to wait after sowing the seeds, so too does the mindfulness practitioner need patience before the harvest. Take the time and effort to establish your practice, you’ll see value in it one day!
Chester, NUS Final Year Medical Student, 2021
[If you're interested to hear more about Chester's Mindfulness journey:
"Staying Calm and Focused Through Medical School",
please tune in to the link below.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wd5cY3_HPQ&list=PLrUVc0MsRxvZbySOIhE0doGIxJsfdgwus&index=23
Chester has also co-authored the following paper in MedEdPublish (May 2022):
Mindful Caring: A pilot study of an online mindfulness workshop for medical students to improve self-compassion. (https://doi.org/10.12688/mep.19021.2)
Voices from 2020
Mindful Caring Medical Students
I think learning to use my breath as an anchor is by far the most useful thing I learnt,
because focusing on my breath in that way allows me to do many simple things
that bring me peace.
For example, I use my breath as an anchor for a minute or so in the morning—
relishing the fact that I'm truly alive, having a new day as a gift—
and this helps me start the day on a positive note.
Focusing my breath at random moments of the day reminds me to be present in whatever I am doing, to find joy and purpose here, and this brings me a lot of peace.
Focusing on my breath also helps me be aware of when I am feeling stressed out,
so that I can use the breath to soothe myself before moving on stronger.
What learnings did you most find helpful?
Taking two to three deep breaths when feeling overwhelmed
Learning to identify emotions
Micro-mindfulness practices:
taking three deep breaths and grounding myself;
slowing down what I usually do automatically;
naming and taming feelings
Knowing that I can turn to the self-compassion break and the STOP practice, which I can apply at any time of the day without needing much time
The self-compassion break and STOP practice have helped to keep my stress and emotions in check
Practicing self-compassion and finding my compassionate voice
Learning how to be a little kinder to myself, to accept my flaws as human
Being aware of the different types of negative thinking, so that I can notice the negativity bias when it happens and correct it
Recognising my automatic negative thoughts and separating myself from these thought processes
Compassion with equanimity & gratitude journaling
Having a support system—a community of peers who are going through the same phase of life and facing similar difficulties
How/when have you applied these learnings to your life?
Being mindful in everyday events (brushing teeth, making coffee, walking)
Applying what I have learnt in daily life: when I wake up, right before I sleep, on the MRT,
when a professor calls me to answer a question, during my exams
Pausing and breathing instead of reacting
Taking breaks to check in with my current mood when I'm feeling stressed
Using what I've learnt to create a nurturing environment in my headspace when needed
Having compassion for myself as I have for others when my patience is tested
Not letting past regrets and future worries bother me
When I find myself veering towards self-criticism, I take a pause to recalibrate and speak to myself as a friend —preventing the cycle of negativity
What are some stressors you face in medical school?
When I feel I'm way behind my peers in terms of knowledge and skills, and don't think I have enough time to catch up
When I don't have the confidence to share my answers or perform in front of a group of people
A lot of academic content to cover, understand and remember
Time management
An exponential learning curve, managing professional relationships with doctors and nurses and learning how to navigate encounters with patients
Troubles in important relationships in my life (family and friends)
Balancing expectations from myself and others (loved ones, colleagues, friends)
The many tasks I take on (school work, housework, keeping fit, helping others) can seem overwhelming at times, as I want to do everything the best I can
Condescending comments from superiors, disappointing others or not meeting my expectations for myself
What topic(s) from Mindful Caring did you find most relevant for this stage of your life
(as a clinical year medical student)?
Mindfulness, self-compassion, personal values (motivating my vocation)
Taking a step back to assess my emotions
Understanding the mechanisms underlying burnout and the associated negative emotions
How to manage emotional dysregulation and how to be kind to myself when things don't turn out the way I would like them to
The topics surrounding patient care are relevant as I am fresh into my clinical years of meeting real patients.
I can see them helping me reflect on my encounters with patients teaching me to be more present