A Doctor’s Life in Overdrive
The life of a physician is often one of nonstop motion. Early mornings. Long shifts. Constant interruptions. Endless decisions. From emergency pages in the middle of the night to juggling multiple patients with complex conditions, medicine is a world where chaos is the norm, not the exception.
I’ve worked in hospital systems ranging from Frankford Hospital to Main Line Health and now Penn Medicine. Across every setting, one truth has remained constant: our clinical environments are high-pressure, fast-moving, and emotionally demanding. There are days when it feels like you’re barely holding on. And in those moments, what I’ve come to rely on isn’t more hustle—it’s stillness.
That stillness comes from meditation.
How I Discovered the Power of Stillness
Like many in healthcare, I used to dismiss meditation. I thought it was too slow, too soft, too removed from the intense reality of patient care. But after years of running on adrenaline, I started to notice the toll: fatigue, irritability, a creeping sense of burnout. I realized I needed something more than sleep or time off. I needed a way to center myself within the chaos—not just recover after it.
That’s when I started practicing meditation. At first, it was five minutes of sitting quietly before a shift. Then it grew into a regular practice—sometimes in the morning, sometimes at lunch, sometimes between patients when I could carve out a moment. It didn’t take long to notice the difference.
Meditation Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Lifeline
Meditation gives me space. In a profession where every second is spoken for, and every decision matters, that space is gold. It helps me pause before reacting. It gives me clarity when emotions are high. It lets me listen more deeply to patients, colleagues, and even myself.
And perhaps most importantly, it helps me reset. No matter what’s happening around me, meditation reminds me that I don’t have to carry everything all at once. I can return to my breath, to the present moment, and face what’s in front of me with calm and clarity.
This isn’t about checking out—it’s about showing up better. I’m not a monk. I’m a hospitalist. I deal with life and death every day. But meditation has helped me handle those moments with more steadiness and less stress.
The Science Behind the Stillness
This isn’t just my personal experience—there’s plenty of research that backs it up. Studies have shown that regular meditation lowers stress hormones like cortisol, improves concentration, reduces anxiety, and even changes brain structure. Areas responsible for emotional regulation and decision-making grow stronger. For physicians, those changes aren’t just helpful—they’re essential.
We’re often trained to power through. But the truth is, we make better decisions when our minds are calm. We communicate more clearly, catch more clinical subtleties, and avoid costly mistakes. Meditation isn’t a soft skill—it’s a performance tool.
Bringing Focus into the Exam Room
Patients can feel when you’re rushed, distracted, or overwhelmed. They may not say it, but they notice. When I started meditating regularly, I noticed something interesting: my patients seemed more at ease. I was more present. I asked better questions. I listened more fully.
In that space of focused presence, healing deepens. The clinical connection becomes more than a checklist—it becomes human again. That’s the kind of care we all want to give, and meditation helps us get there.
Teaching the Next Generation a Different Way
As a medical educator, I’m passionate about showing young doctors not just how to practice medicine, but how to sustain themselves in it. I’ve been honored with teaching awards like the D. Stratton Woodruff Award and the 2022 Faculty Award for Resident Teaching—but I see those recognitions as reflections of something deeper: my commitment to mentoring the whole physician.
That includes teaching wellness strategies like meditation. I talk to residents about stress management, emotional resilience, and the importance of inner balance. I encourage them to experiment with mindfulness apps, breathing exercises, or simply a few moments of silence before rounds. The feedback is always the same: “Why didn’t we learn this sooner?”
It’s time we bring mental wellness into the center of medical training—not as an afterthought, but as a core competency.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
You don’t need to become a guru to feel the benefits of meditation. Start with a few minutes a day. Focus on your breath. Let thoughts come and go without judgment. When your mind wanders (and it will), gently return your attention. That’s it.
Over time, that simple act of returning builds your mental muscle. You become more aware, more intentional, and more grounded—even when the world around you is anything but.
I often recommend that my colleagues start with a one-minute pause between patients. Just breathe. Reset. Remind yourself where you are and why you’re here. That tiny break can transform the tone of your next interaction.
Final Thoughts: Medicine Needs Mindfulness
Our healthcare system is full of brilliant minds, cutting-edge technology, and life-saving protocols. But it’s also full of exhausted professionals, rising burnout rates, and fraying human connections.
Meditation isn’t the only solution—but it’s one we shouldn’t overlook. In a world of clinical chaos, the ability to slow down, center yourself, and focus fully on the present moment is a superpower. It helps us think more clearly, care more deeply, and live more fully.
I meditate not because I have time—but because I can’t afford not to. The calmer I am, the clearer I see. The clearer I see, the better I heal. And ultimately, that’s what we’re all here to do.