Skip to main content

Healthy Habits: Positive Psychology, Journaling, Meditation, and Nature Therapy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Humanism and Resilience in Residency Training

Abstract

This chapter contributes to the body of knowledge about the value of stress-relieving practices such as positive psychology, journaling, meditation, and nature therapy for medical residents and practicing physicians as a part of their regular routine. Given the physical, cognitive, and emotional demands on physicians, adopting these creative and mindful applications may mitigate feelings of burnout, anxiety, and overwhelm, as well as promote a happier and healthier mental state in physicians’ personal and professional lives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Understanding the stress response. Chronic activation of this survival mechanism impairs health. Harv Ment Health Lett. 2011;27(9):4–5.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hill MR, Goicochea S, Merlo LJ. In their own words: stressors facing medical students in the millennial generation. Med Educ Online. 2018;23(1):1530558.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Cohen RA. Yerkes–Dodson law. In: Kreutzer JS, DeLuca J, Caplan B, editors. Encyclopedia of clinical neuropsychology. New York: Springer Publishing; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Goldstein DS. Adrenal responses to stress. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2010;30(8):1433–40.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Fink G. Stress: concepts, definition, and history. In: Reference module in neuroscience and biobehavioral psychology. 1st ed. Oxford, UK: Elsevier; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Dedovic K, Duchesne A, Andrews J, Engert V, Pruessner JC. The brain and the stress axis: the neural correlates of cortisol regulation in response to stress. Neuroimage. 2009;47(3):864–71.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Mayer EA. The neurobiology of stress and gastrointestinal disease. Gut. 2000;47:861–9.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Wulsin L, Herman J, Thayer JF. Stress, autonomic imbalance, and the prediction of metabolic risk: a model and a proposal for research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;86:12–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Siegel D. The mindful brain: reflection and attunement in the cultivation of wellbeing. New York: W.W. Norton & Company; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Reith TP. Burnout in United States healthcare professional: a narrative review. Cureus. 2018;10(12):e3681.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Pattani R, Wu PE, Dhalla IA. Resident duty hours in Canada: past, present and future. CMAJ. 2014;186(10):761–5.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Chung J, Contino K, Cerceo E, Soi P. Impact of system-wide resident wellness intervention on burnout, depersonalization, and self-accomplishment. Pediatrics. 2018;141(116A). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.141.1_MeetingAbstract.116A.

  13. Haughey B, Manzo RB, Kurland Y, Hollinger J, Patel P, Placzek E, Frank H. Wellness, for residents – by residents. Pediatrics. 2018;142(98). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.142.1_MeetingAbstract.98.

  14. McCain RS, McKinley N, Dempster M, Campbell WJ, Kirk SJ. A study of the relationship between resilience, burnout and coping strategies in doctors. Postgrad Med J. 2018;94:43–7.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Westerhof GJ, Keyes CLM. Mental illness and mental health: the two continua model across the lifespan. J Adult Dev. 2010;17:110–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Tse S, Tsoi EWS, Hamilton B, O’Hagan M, Shepherd G, Slade M, et al. Uses of strength-based interventions for people with serious mental illness: a critical review. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2016;62(3):281–91.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Harzer C, Ruch W. When the job is calling: the role of applying one’s signature strengths at work. J Posit Psychol. 2012;7:362–71.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Meyers MC, van Woerkom M. Effects of a strengths intervention on general and work-related well-being: the mediating role of positive affect. J Happiness Stud. 2017;18:671–89.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Xie H. Strengths-based approach for mental health recovery. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2013;7(2):5–10.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Park N, Peterson C, Seligman MEP. Strengths of character and well-being. J Soc Clin Psychol. 2004;23(5):603–19.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Peterson C, Seligman MEP. Character strengths and virtues: a handbook and classification. New York: American Psychological Association & Oxford University Press; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Doran GT. There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives. J Manag Rev. 1981;70(11):35–3.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Adams K. Journal therapy. In: Allison N, editor. The illustrated encyclopedia of body-mind disciplines. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group Inc; 1999. p. 361–3.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kerner EA, Fitzpatrick MR. Integrating writing into psychotherapy practice: a matrix of change processes and structural dimensions. Pyschother Theor Res Pract Train. 2007;44(3):333–46.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Ullrich PM, Lutgendorf SK. Journaling about stressful events: effects of cognitive processing and emotional expression. Ann Behav Med. 2002;24(3):244–50.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Smyth JM. Written emotional expression: effect sizes, outcome types, and moderating variables. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1998;66(1):174–84.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Chen I, Forbes C. Reflective writing and its impact on empathy in medical education: a systematic review. J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2004;11:20. https://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2014.11.20. eCollection 2014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Blake TK. Journaling: an active learning technique. Int J Nurs Educ Scholarsh. 2005;2(1):1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Scott E. The benefits of journaling for stress management. [cited 2019 Oct 11]. VeryWellMind.com [Internet]. New York: Dotdash Publishing; 2019. Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-benefits-of-journaling-for-stress-management-3144611.

  30. Emmons RA, Stern R. Gratitude as a psychotherapeutic intervention. J Clin Psychol. 2013;69(8):846–55.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Wood AM, Froh JJ, Geraghty AWA. Gratitude and well-being: a review and theoretical integration. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010;30(7):890–905.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Davis DE, Choe E, Meyers J, Varjas K, Gifford A, Quinn A, et al. Thankful for the little things: a meta-analysis of gratitude interventions. J Couns Psychol. 2016;63(1):20–31.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Brooks M. Gratitude journaling boosts wellness in psychiatry residents. Medscape [Internet]. 23 May 2019. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/913456. Accessed 3 Dec 2029.

  34. Runyan C, Savageau JA, Potts S, Weinreb L. Impact of a family medicine resident wellness curriculum: a feasibility study. Med Educ Online. 2016;21(1):36048.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Drummond D. A gratitude journal is a weapon in the fight against physician burnout. The Happy MD [Internet]. https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/gratitude-journal-for-physicians-eeyore. Accessed 3 Dec 2029.

  36. Marsh J. Tips for keeping a gratitude journal. Greater good [Internet]. 7 Nov 2011. http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/tips_for_keeping_a_gratitude_journal. Accessed 3 Dec 2029.

  37. Kilvert M, Louie D, Carwana M, Remington M. Finding joy and meaning in medicine: gratitude rounds for pediatric residents. Paper presented at: International Conference on Residency Education; 2019 Sept 27; Ottawa, Ontario.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Kabat-Zinn J. Mindfulness-based interventions in context: past, present and future. Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2003;10(2):144–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Raski M. Mindfulness: what it is and how it is impacting healthcare. UBCMJ. 2015;7(1):56–9.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Keng SL, Smoski MJ, Robins CJ. Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011;31(6):1041–156.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. McConville J, McAleer R, Hahne A. Mindfulness training for health profession students – the effect of mindfulness training on psychological well-being, learning and clinical performance of health professional students: a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials. Explore (NY). 2017;13(1):26–45.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Fortney L, Luchterhand C, Zakletskaia L, Zgierska A, Rakel D. Abbreviated mindfulness intervention for job satisfaction, quality of life, and compassion in primary care clinicians: a pilot study. Ann Fam Med. 2013;11(5):412–20.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Goldhagen BE, Kingsolver K, Stinnett SS, Rosdahl JA. Stress and burnout in residents: impact of mindfulness-based resilience training. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2015;6:525–32.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Goodman MJ, Schorling JB. A mindfulness course decreases burnout and improves well-being among healthcare providers. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2012;43(2):119–28.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Beach MC, Roter D, Korthuis PT, Epstein RM, Sharp V, Ratanwongsa N, et al. A multicenter study of physician mindfulness and health care quality. Ann Fam Med. 2013;11(5):421–8.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Shonin E, Van Gordon W, Griffiths MD. Practical tips for using mindfulness in general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2014;64(624):368–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Guendelman S, Medeiros S, Rampes H. Mindfulness and emotion regulation: insights from neurobiological, psychological, and clinical studies. Front Psychol. 2017;8:220. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00220.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. 20 minute mindfulness meditation for being present/mindful movement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2zdUXve6fQ. Accessed 1 Dec 2019.

  49. Bostock S, Crosswell AD, Prather AA, Steptoe A. Mindfulness on-the-go: effects of a mindfulness meditation app on work stress and well-being. J Occup Health Psychol. 2019;24(1):127–38.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Wen L, Sweeney TE, Welton L, Trockel M, Katznelson L. Encouraging mindfulness in medical house staff via smartphone app: a pilot study. Acad Psychiatry. 2017;41:646–50.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Brymer E, Cuddihy TF, Sharma-Brymer V. The role of nature-based experiences in the development and maintenance of wellness. Asia Pac J Health Sport Phys Educ. 2010;1(2):21–7.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Kaufman JA. Nature, mind and medicine: a model for mind-body healing. Explore (NY). 2018;14(4):268–76.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Trau D, Keenan KA, Goforth M, Large V. Nature contacts: employee wellness in healthcare. HERD. 2016;9(3):47–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Hansen MM, Jones R, Tocchini K. Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing) and nature therapy: a state-of-the-art review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14:851.

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  55. Stuckley HL, Nobel J. The connection between art, healing, and public health: a review of current literature. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(2):254–63.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Martin L, Oepen R, Bauer K, et al. Creative arts interventions for stress management and prevention: a systematic review. Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(2):28. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs8020028.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Zazulak J, Sanaee M, Frolic A, et al. The art of medicine: arts-based training in observation and mindfulness for fostering the empathic response in medical residents. Med Humanit. 2017;43(3):192–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tara Riddell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Riddell, T., Nassif, J., Hategan, A., Jarecki, J. (2020). Healthy Habits: Positive Psychology, Journaling, Meditation, and Nature Therapy. In: Hategan, A., Saperson, K., Harms, S., Waters, H. (eds) Humanism and Resilience in Residency Training. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45627-6_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45627-6_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-45626-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-45627-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics