the value of difficult emotions (part 2)

The healing of our most painful experiences often needs to happen in small parts. Part 1 of this article talked about understanding, and potentially using, our difficult emotions. This discussion is about the consequences of unresolved emotions and how to transform them to bring us closer to wholeness and optimal health. We previously mentioned how holding onto feelings for too long can have harmful consequences. Much like spoiled milk creates havoc on our stomachs, expired feelings can also damage us. When we hold onto behavior patterns or thoughts that trigger unresolved feelings for too long, we re-circulate stale energy inside … More

beating burnout through self-nourishment

Burnout. Compassion fatigue. Chronic work stress. Vicarious trauma. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Demoralization. Moral distress. Moral injury. Moral compromise. These are all less stigmatizing terms than Adjustment Disorder with depression and/or anxiety. BURNOUT: 1) Exhaustion 2) Mental/emotional detachment from our jobs which have become less rewarding 3) Poorer work performance; “This isn’t me”. 4) Cynical, irritable & judgmental trending 5) Erosion of the soul in those of us with ideals and conviction 6) Low personal autonomy/agency with high job stress 7) *Not necessarily individual failure so much as social & occupational injustice begging political solutions MORAL DISTRESS arises when … More