ABSTRACT
Mindful practice in medicine is more than meditation and personal growth. Establishing healthy sleep hygiene early in a medical career is important, along with using simple and versatile tools for muscle relaxation, mindfulness, visualisation and breathing. Doctors who have driven personalities are often rewarded professionally and financially. They receive few complaints, rarely make mistakes and are highly conscientious. They complete most of their tasks by the due date, constantly pre-empt problems, manage risks and work long hours to go beyond what is expected of them. Many of these personality traits are important to get the job done. There are many ways to strengthen personal resilience and effective mechanisms to switch off after work, by identifying particular traits that predispose us to burnout. But when they become task orientated and slaves to endless 'to-do lists' at the expense of their relationships, they stop enjoying their lives.
