9. The Master Skill of Taking Breaks

The thought of taking a break during a busy work day can sound impossible if not contrary to the ethos of our job. The reality, however, is that taking a break is not only possible, but will likely make you clinically sharper, more efficient, and possibly even happier. In this episode, Dr. Joshua Russell walks us through how to take a break within the constraints of our clinical responsibilities as well as pitfalls to avoid when taking a pause from patient care.

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For full show notes of this episode and all sorts of other goodies, visit our podcast website

We Discuss:

• The importance of breaks and how they can positively impact your affective state and ability to care for patients;
• The abundant evidence that says that breaks are helpful;
• How mental vigilance naturally wanes and decision fatigue sets in as the day progresses. Nobody functions with the same efficiency throughout an entire day; 
• System 1 vs. system 2 thinking, and how when we’re in a negative affective state (ie. a “bad mood”), our ability to be deliberate in our decision-making is compromised;
• What a healthy break looks like;

The notion that finding the time for a break takes intention.