Wellness = Sustainability + Self Advocacy

Many physicians struggle with the word “wellness.”

What does it mean?

Is it fluff?

Is it in conflict with productivity or other “metrics”?

How do you measure it?

Is wellness a worthwhile endeavor or investment?

Is it possible to be “well” in medicine today?

Who is responsible for your wellness?

I believe Wellness = sustainability + self-advocacy.

Without sustainability, medicine, and humankind are in big trouble.

Will this course of action optimize sustainability?

The answer is usually simple and clear.

Mindfulness and coaching are both about optimizing sustainability.

They are both about energy management and energy conservation.

They are also about learning to advocate for yourself effectively.

Doing so strategically and authentically.

And having your own back as you do so.

Mindfulness, coaching, sustainability, and self-advocacy are about noticing what is kind and healthy for you- and doing it.

Self-advocacy is about stepping out of complacency, no longer self-sacrificing, and choosing to no longer be a martyr, or toxically independent.

Self-advocacy and sustainability mandate that you manage your energy well and you tell yourself helpful, rather than hurtful narratives and stories.

If self-advocacy and sustainability are more comfortable and accessible words than self-care or “wellness,” please change the language and get started.