Mindful Medicine: Prioritizing self-care with Michelle Zellner

Welcome to the MGMA Mindful Medicine Podcast! In this episode, host Daniel Williams is joined by Michelle Zellner, founder of Better Beings, health and happiness strategist, author, and corporate wellness trainer. Michelle shares her inspiring journey and provides invaluable insights on prioritizing self-care for healthcare professionals. Together, they discuss creating sustainable habits, recognizing early signs of burnout, and fostering a healthier mindset to balance professional and personal demands.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-Care Redefined: Self-care goes beyond surface-level activities like spa days. It’s about consistently meeting the fundamental needs of your “human,” including rest, nutrition, movement, and emotional care.
• Building Sustainable Habits: Michelle emphasizes starting small with realistic goals and embracing incremental progress instead of chasing instant results.
• The "BOSS" Method: Learn Michelle’s framework for self-reflection:
  • B: Be still, quiet, and breathe.
  • O: Observe your thoughts and energy without judgment.
  • S: Scan for physical or emotional signs of imbalance.
  • S: Serve your human by implementing actions that promote well-being.
• Overcoming All-or-Nothing Thinking: It’s better to do a little than nothing at all. Even five minutes of mindfulness or movement can create positive momentum.
• Stress and Burnout Management: Recognize behavioral and emotional changes as signs of burnout and take proactive steps to set boundaries, let go of perfectionism, and incorporate restorative practices.
• Creating Balance: Replace the idea of "work-life balance" with actively creating balance in all aspects of life by aligning your time and energy with your values.

Resources Mentioned:

• Michelle Zellner’s website: Better Beings
• Michelle’s books:
  • The YOU Revolution: The Journey of a Better Being (Available on Amazon)
  • The PFF is Your BFF: A Simple Guide to Fueling Your Busy Body (Available on Amazon)
• Michelle’s podcast: Be A Better Being Podcast
• Michelle’s blog and newsletter (Sign up via her website)
• Connect with Michelle Zellner on LinkedIn