Medical Student Wellness
Wellness is the optimal state of health for individuals and groups. There are two focal concerns: The realization of the fullest potential of an individual physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually, and economically; and the fulfillment of one’s roles expectations in the family, community, place of worship, workplace and other settings.
World Health Organization
Listening to soothing music or sounds of nature like raindrops, a trickling brook, or ocean waves in the background while studying, is a gentle, effortless way to release tension. Even five to ten minutes a day can do wonders for your sense of well being. To put you in the “stress free zone,” with a sense of peace and calm, the following resource is available:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/wellctr/stressfreezone.shtml
The Wellness Center is located in:
Student Center East, Room 238
750 South Halsted Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Phone: (312) 413-2120
Fax: (312) 413-8438
E-mail:wellness@uic.edu
If you would like further information about the Wellness Center, please contact Carol Peterson, M.Ed. at carolp@uic.edu.
For those of you curious about the evidence or rationale for taking care of yourself (other than valuing your own quality of life), please see the following references:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19773563 (Krasner et al, JAMA 2009). This study looks at reduction in burnout, improvement in mindfulness, after participating in structured program.
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=187018 (Sibinga & Wu, JAMA 2010, mindfulness and safety Commentary)
http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/may11/managing6.asp (Jayasankar 2011, AAOS) (mindfulness & safety)
Stress Management:
Have you ever wondered if a brief escape from the ‘real world’ could be possible ? For those interested in practicing complementary/integrative medicine in your own life, this is a good place to start.
http://www.mindfulnesstapes.com/
Alcohol Intake:
Most people use their friends as the barometer by which their own behavior is measured (“I drink less than all my friends” ; “Compared to what those guys have, this is nothing”). To educate yourself about national guidelines on alcohol use, please see the references below—and try to measure yourself against these guidelines vs. those around you. Your body and your mind will be grateful.
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/alcohol/alcomisrs.htm (Under ‘Clinical Considerations’)
http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/
Medical students are now afforded the same 'VIP'status as University employees with regard to the electronic medical record. This means that whenever a medical student chart is opened, a warning is given that if the person opening the chart is not directly involved in the student's care, the chart should be closed immediately.