This course serves as an introduction to Mindfulness for the busy practitioner. The content relates core mindfulness topics and tools to common things that veterinarians and veterinary staff face in everyday practice (e.g. challenging clients, staff interactions, workload, burnout, emotional aspects of the job, self-judgement).
The sessions will include brief practices such as a body scan, mindfulness of breathing, kindness meditation, awareness of sensations and emotions. Topics to be covered will include:
Mindfulness of the Body: The body as home base, a link to the present moment (vs thought/worry)
The Storytelling Mind: The mind on autopilot- how to step off the wheel
Mindfulness of Emotions: Becoming aware as emotions arise, not identifying with them and working to RESPOND instead of REACT
Cultivating Kindness to Self and Others: Working with the judging mind: we go into this profession caring deeply about our patients but often lack the ability to extend that same level of kindness to ourselves
Willingness to Be with Things as They Are: Saying ‘YES’ to what is here and now, instead of getting caught up wishing things were different- becoming more available to the present moment
By the end of the course, group members will have a solid foundation in general mindfulness practices, as well as the tools and context to help relate them to the everyday challenges we face in veterinary medicine.