Discovering New Wellness Practices (and Ice Cream Flavors)

How we function as health care providers has had to adapt in this post-COVID world. We have introduced telemedicine, masking, social distancing, e-learning — the list goes on. But all this acute change has had an effect on society — in mental and physical wellness. Multiple global organizations are concerned about the culture of “quiet quitting.” People have been asked to do too much in too short of a period, and this has taken its toll. As health care providers and business owners, we do not have the luxury to simply walk away. We have responsibilities to our patients, our colleagues, and our own oaths to help and serve.

So, what do we do? What have we done to preserve our wellness during this time? We are all different, and our stories are different. ACOMS would love for you to share your story as we close 2022.   

My story is another one with Arjan, my son. He is a devoted fan of Molly Moon’s, a Washington ice cream that sources locally and is vocal about giving and social justice. He wanted me to try it and persuaded me to come along with him for a scoop.

I was busy working; it was mid pandemic 2020, and I was feeling the burden of COVID. But he guilt tripped me (I needed to spend time with him, blah, blah...), so off I went to Redmond, during a time I needed to complete some deadlines (shame on me, but I am sure you can all relate). Normally, I would pick mint or salted caramel, but on this day, I decided to be spontaneous and select a scoop “Yeti.” It sounded cool. This was chocolate, granola, and a bunch of other ingredients swirled into vanilla. To say this flavor was not for me would be an understatement. I was tired, it had been a long week. I had charts to sign, emails to respond to, and I was in a car barely touching the ice cream I did not want. (For the record, I have since come to love this brand — “scout mint” is probably my favorite). But this story is not about the ice cream.

Noticing my obvious annoyance, Arjan attempted to mitigate the silence; he connected his phone to the car speakers and started playing an audiobook reading of “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.” For the drive home, I was whisked away to Hogwarts and the chivalry of the Wizarding World. It was utterly thrilling to physically be driving down a mundane highway, but mentally be miles away in a place where magic and mysticism thrive. I barely noticed when we got to the driveway. I asked if we could wait until the end of the chapter before getting out.

From there, I created my own audiobook account. I have been a vital component in solving murder mysteries. I have fought with opposing kingdoms and ridden dragons across foggy moors. I have stopped listening to the depressing news on my commute and have instead immersed myself in something that gives me pleasure, is less stressful, and bookends the day in a positive/better way. It doesn’t take away from my allocated “work” time, and I have incorporated this into my daily routine.

This is my little approach to wellness along with a protected weekly date night with my husband Rick. In speaking to many of you, I know I am not alone — many of you listen to podcasts or have started a new hobby/outlet to shift away from the daily grind of work, to find a work/life balance. I know I am not alone when I say that, while work consumes us, it is our families and loved ones who give us purpose. We must make time for them — at a time in humanity’s history where so many have been lost.

Please enjoy the articles selected for this edition. I am grateful to all the contributors. I wanted to acknowledge and thank Dr. Cummins, a chiropractic and wellness provider who has lectured to our department on physical wellness and posture in the past. I have added his link, as his website has some videos on wellness. He has been generous enough to provide some tips to maintain our surgical endurance.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday with your loved ones and a healthy new year. See you in 2023!