Occupational Therapy News OTnews October 2019 | Page 53

LONG-TERM CONDITIONS REPORT
Mindful compassion for
healthcare professionals
R
A group of occupational therapists report on the
outcomes of a study day on mindful compassion,
and how it might impact on their future practice
ecently, 10 occupational therapists working in Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)
services over the south east of England met together
for a day of learning about and experiencing mindful
compassion.
Hosted by the occupational therapists from the Sussex CFS/
ME service, attendees were guided by a mindfulness trainer from
Breathworks, the use of compassion is rightfully currently high on the ourselves as well as the people we are supporting.
Our clients are often so familiar with doing and striving to do, even
when they feel so unwell, that slowing down and taking some time to
‘be’ rather than ‘do’ can be challenging.
After experiencing for ourselves the effects of pausing and really
paying attention to how we are, we reflected how rare it is in our
busy working lives for us to do this, and how beneficial it felt.
Several of us have now set reminders to ‘press pause’ several
agenda for healthcare professionals, but it was valuable to have the
opportunity to explore what compassion means and feels like, both
for us and our clients.
The programme incorporated theory about the science of
compassion and the three major emotion regulation systems, along
with several ‘inquiries’ or practices, including the intriguingly named
‘Treasure of pleasure’, during which we were encouraged to walk
outside and use all our senses.
Despite it initially feeling slightly awkward seeking pleasure walking
along a residential road, we returned surprised at how uplifting it had
been, proving that mindfulness can be used in any environment.
We had a rewarding discussion on how to ‘switch off’ the threat
response supported by the sympathetic branch of the autonomic
nervous system and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system,
and thus the relaxation response, based on the work of Paul Gilbert
and the three major emotional regulation systems – that is, achieving,
threat and soothing responses.
How often through our working days do we find ourselves in
‘fight/flight/freeze’ responses, filled with the hormones of adrenaline
and cortisol? We are in ‘doing mode’. How do we shape our identity
through the desire to ‘achieve’? What are our internal and external
‘drivers’? How do we respond to these? What are we seeking?
At such times we remain in ‘doing mode’, revelling in the
dopamine response. How do we attend to the times in our day and
our lives when we experience a sense of calm and contentment,
safety, a sense of peace and connection within ourselves, others and
the world? At such times oxytocin and endorphins support us and
allow us to ‘rest and digest’. We are in ‘being mode’.
Occupational therapy talks about ‘being and becoming’; we need times each day, to take a short ‘breathing space’ of about three
minutes, thus enabling us to be more fully present.
The revision of the theory about brain plasticity encouraged us
that however set in our ways we or our clients seem to be, that
change is possible.
A practical exercise illustrating primary and secondary suffering
(using piles of blankets) gave an insight into the thought processes
that might sometimes be hindering change. Using a compassionate
approach to listen to and understand these is something that we
as occupational therapists hopefully already do, but it was a useful
reminder to also pay attention to our own thoughts when we
sometimes struggle with all that we need or want to do at work.
Our lunch break was spent engaging our senses – savouring the
food first with our eyes then our taste buds, noticing the different
aromas and textures of the ingredients. We also heard the buzz of
happy conversation – which reinforced the theory of how important
connection is for us all.
Sadly this sense of connection is often lacking for our clients as
their worlds have often ‘shrunk’ since being unwell, as they often lose
or have much less contact with colleagues, friends and family.
Our emphasis on group work was affirmed, as it provides
opportunities to make new connections and/or strengthen those
which may have begun to develop.
By the end of the day we agreed that we now have more
resources about how we can establish and maintain a personal
mindful compassion practice and ways to incorporate this approach
with our clients.
We also felt relaxed, refreshed and looked after. As most of
us meet regularly as a clinical network of occupational therapists
to discover what it is to ‘be’, to provide space in our day and lives for
this opportunity to arise. This is our foundation; from there we can
support ourselves and our patients in ‘becoming’.
We often talk to our clients about being ‘kind to themselves’ and
this day gave us confidence that this is indeed an important message
for us as occupational therapists to convey, and to take this on for working in this field, we can ensure that we keep this important
aspect of our practice on the agenda.
Julie Meriwoode, James Shute, Tess Carder, Wendy
Hedgecock, Claire Barton, specialist CFS/ME occupational
therapists, Sussex, Kent and Essex
OTnews October 2019 53