At Access-Salud, our mission is to empower healthcare organizations with a patient-centric focus, and that mission starts with our own team. A culture that prioritizes the well-being of its people is one that can consistently deliver the highest quality of care and compassion. Because we believe that a healthy, balanced mind allows us to give our best, not just in our work, but in every part of our lives.
This guide is for you. We invite you to view self-care as a daily practice, as essential as any other task. Here are some simple tools to help you nurture your mind today.
Strategies for Your Daily Well-Being
The first step to prevent burning out is to build awareness and routines. Integrating small habits into your day can make a big difference.
- Establish a Routine: Having a daily routine, even with a flexible schedule, helps the mind feel more secure and in control. Try to maintain regular sleep and mealtimes.
- Practice Meditation or Mindful Breathing: You don’t need to be an expert. With just a few minutes a day, meditation can help you center yourself and reduce stress. Guided meditations of 5 or 10 minutes are widely available on audio platforms.
- Connect Genuinely: In a digital world, personal connections are vital. Take time to chat with a coworker, call a loved one, or simply say hello to someone. These genuine interactions are nourishing for the spirit.
- Avoid “Doom-Scrolling”: Overexposure to negative news can be exhausting. Choose specific times to get informed, and then disconnect. Your mind will thank you for it.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique: An Anchor for Stressful Moments
The 5-senses technique is a powerful tool you can use at any time to return to the present moment when you feel overwhelmed or stressed. It’s easy to remember and practice.
Step-by-step:
- 5 – Look at 5 things: Name five things you can see around you right now. It could be your keyboard, a plant, a window, a coffee mug, or a pen.
- 4 – Feel 4 things: Name four things you can physically feel. The texture of your clothes, the chair you’re sitting on, the phone in your hand, or the air on your skin.
- 3 – Listen to 3 things: Name three things you can hear. The sound of the air conditioning, a coworker’s typing, a bird singing outside.
- 2 – Smell 2 things: Name two things you can smell. The aroma of your coffee, the scent of a clean room, or someone’s perfume.
- 1 – Taste 1 thing: Name one thing you can taste. It could be gum, a sip of water, or simply the taste in your mouth.
By intentionally engaging in your senses, your mind focuses on the present and breaks the cycle of anxiety.
Your Well-Being is Our Priority