Self-abuse - Self-compassion - Responsibility

And love
Says,

"I will,
I will take care of you,"

To everything that is
Near.                                                        Hafiz                     translated by Daniel Ladinsky 1999 The Gift


     Wow - sounds like even more pressure! Most of us health-care professionals are obsessive, perfectionist doers, curers, fixers, pleasers to everyone around us. We're willing to work ourselves to death in order to feel some semblance of self-worth. But we know that this is extremely unhealthy. We need to practice being in wiser relationship with our inner and outer world, despite our strong tendency to be externally focused. See: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2015/01/628-cultivating-self-compassion.html
     So step one is adopting a contemplative practice - having a good look at how our mind operates. But of course we have to bring gentleness to this challenging process. An immersion course in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), especially with fellow health-care professionals, is ideal for many of us. For example: http://healthyhealers.blogspot.ca/2013/03/8-week-mindfulness-ce-course-for-health.html
     Dysfunctional attempts at "self-care" (overeating, drug-abuse, hoarding, gambling, etc) are epidemic. Intelligent self-care is a professional responsibility. To live our life in the most wholesome, balanced, meaningful manner possible, is something we owe to life and to ourselves.
     Be well!