Simple Steps to Improving Well-being

Watch physician well-being advocate Cliff Knight, MD, FAAFP, AAFP Senior Vice-President for Education, as he interviews author and wellness advocate Deepak Chopra, MD. Knight and Chopra discuss simple steps to take each day to reduce stress and improve well-being.   

Conversation Highlights

  • You can't feel gratitude and hostility at the same time, says Chopra. Intentional gratitude shifts your attention from resentments, grievances, anger, and fear.
  • According to Chopra, intentional gratitude can immediately shift your biology to go from high cortisol and adrenaline levels to flood your system with serotonin and dopamine opiates, and a peptide identified as anandamide, which correlates with feelings of joy and happiness.
  • Using simple tools, such as breathing exercises and making sure you stay socially connected with others each day can help relieve stress and improve overall health.
  • Work-life balance involves prioritizing and being disciplined. Scheduling time to do the things that are important to well-being can help physicians achieve more balance each day.

How Are You Doing?

Assess your level of burnout and take steps to improve your well-being.

Take the MBI

Create a Plan.

Identify, customize, and track your well-being goals with the AAFP's Well-being Planner.

Get Started»

Revisit Your Plan»