In a high-stakes, public-facing job, balancing empathy with maintaining professional boundaries is not an easy task. The emotional demands of our job and the need to be empathetic can weigh on us over time, and contribute to burnout.
This is where stories come in. Be they fiction, poetry, or memoire, engaging with stories can enhance our empathy and help us process our emotions in a safe and controlled way. it can help us practice how to feel, or give us comfort in the knowledge we’re not the only ones to think a thought we might want to express out loud.
This week, Rachel is joined by Dr Tara George, who integrates humanities into the medical training she provides. This helps to stimulate discussion and reflection, and allows for the exploration of different perspectives and experiences – all of which broadens our understanding of the human condition.
If you’re looking to beat burnout, consider making some time to pick up a novel, or treat yourself to a new film or TV drama. The stories and emotions they bring up may help you make space for others’ experiences, and they’re a great way to open a dialogue with a colleague.
