Tag Archives: rituals

I think therefore I am? – Rituals

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Photo by Christina Rumpf on Unsplash

I was asked the other day what I did to switch off from my work every day, given the intense interactions that might be part of a normal day at hospice. I do perform a ritual at the end of the day. I take off my ID badge and place it in my drawer. I also put away any equipment I might be carrying, in particular my stethoscope. Back when I used to wear ties I would take my tie off, and undo the collar buttons of my shirt. I’d pack my bag and then prepare for the drive home.

I’d play easy-listening radio on the way home. I used to listen to a news channel, but I found that to be too frustrating given the usual news headlines. Having a mixture of music from lots of different decades is good. There is still something about 80s music that continues to appeal to many in the world, myself included. The commute home is usually through rush hour traffic, thus a drive that takes 20 minutes in the morning, takes at least double that in the afternoon.

Once I arrive home I change my clothing, taking away the last vestiges of the doctor. Again this is ritualistic and marks my return to the rest of my life, and the other roles I hold. Each transition is marked by a slight change of costume. This is to maintain boundaries between my work and the rest of my life.

Most days I can switch off from work by going through the above rituals. Some days might be tougher than others and then extra effort is required, e.g. mindfulness meditation or walking in nature. Choose a ritual for yourself and practise it regularly until it becomes part of your daily life routine.

SCM – Daily Dose of Suffering

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Photo by Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash

Four years ago I went on a Wellness Retreat. Some of my colleagues laughed at me once I had returned and discussed some of the activities I had paid a lot of money for. During the retreat, I ate much smaller meals than usual. I woke up earlier than usual to do yoga, followed by a tiny breakfast and then hours of hiking. Another activity was fasting for 36 hours, 24 hours of which were spent in total silence. The activities were interesting to try but I have not continued with most of them. I also learned about thermotherapy, with exposure to heat in the form of a 90-degree Celsius sauna followed by ice baths. The cold water exposure is something I have continued to this day.

I shower as usual using warm-hot water. At the end of each shower, I turn the water temperature to total cold. This feels awful for the first 10 seconds and my mammalian dive reflex is triggered, with much deeper breathing. During the winter months the water is extra cold. The next 10 seconds are less unpleasant. By the time I have reached 30 seconds, I can tolerate it, and my hands and feet have become cold at which point I turn the water off. As soon as the water stops a warm feeling surges through my body and I sure do feel alive.

The cold showers are my daily dose of suffering and I feel they have built up my resilience over the years. I will continue BBRRRRRRR.