Mindfulness for surgeons

The power of now - how mindfulness changes the way we work (and live).

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Lilli Cooper’s no fluff newsletter.

Helping surgeons perform, and feel, better.

Lilli Cooper’s no fluff newsletter.

Helping surgeons perform, and feel, better.

Lilli Cooper’s no fluff newsletter.

Helping surgeons perform, and feel, better.

Mindfulness for surgeons

Mindfulness, or the awareness of the current moment, without judgement, can help regulate our physiology, clear our mind and focus our attention. 

Mindfulness for surgeons

Mindfulness, or the awareness of the current moment, without judgement, can help regulate our physiology, clear our mind and focus our attention. 

Mindfulness for surgeons

Mindfulness, or the awareness of the current moment, without judgement, can help regulate our physiology, clear our mind and focus our attention. 

Key insights:

Mindfulness can enhance performance and wellbeing through physiological regulation, decreased emotional reactivity and cultivating focussed attention.

Negative self-talk and rumination can be stressful and distracting. Mindfulness can help create psychological distance to access cognitive flexibility, self compassion and flow.

Muscle tension can impact precision work and result in fatigue. Mindfulness can improve body awareness and promote physical relaxation.

Regular practice can increase resting parasympathetic tone (proxy HRV) over time.

While much evidence derives from sport, there is increasing evidence for mindfulness practice improving performance and wellbeing in surgeons.

You can be mindful doing literally anything: scrubbing, walking or taking a deep breath. More formal mindfulness practices include seated meditation, breathwork and yoga.

References:

  • Schuman-Olivier et al. Harv Rev Psych. 2020;28(6):371

  • Lebares CC et al. JAMA Network Open 2019;2(5):e194108

  • Jerath R, et al. Front Hum Neurosci. 2012;6:1-4

  • Semple RJ. Mindfulness 2010;1:121-130

Key insights:

Mindfulness can enhance performance and wellbeing through physiological regulation, decreased emotional reactivity and cultivating focussed attention.

Negative self-talk and rumination can be stressful and distracting. Mindfulness can help create psychological distance to access cognitive flexibility, self compassion and flow.

Muscle tension can impact precision work and result in fatigue. Mindfulness can improve body awareness and promote physical relaxation.

Regular practice can increase resting parasympathetic tone (proxy HRV) over time.

While much evidence derives from sport, there is increasing evidence for mindfulness practice improving performance and wellbeing in surgeons.

You can be mindful doing literally anything: scrubbing, walking or taking a deep breath. More formal mindfulness practices include seated meditation, breathwork and yoga.

References:

  • Schuman-Olivier et al. Harv Rev Psych. 2020;28(6):371

  • Lebares CC et al. JAMA Network Open 2019;2(5):e194108

  • Jerath R, et al. Front Hum Neurosci. 2012;6:1-4

  • Semple RJ. Mindfulness 2010;1:121-130

Key insights:

Mindfulness can enhance performance and wellbeing through physiological regulation, decreased emotional reactivity and cultivating focussed attention.

Negative self-talk and rumination can be stressful and distracting. Mindfulness can help create psychological distance to access cognitive flexibility, self compassion and flow.

Muscle tension can impact precision work and result in fatigue. Mindfulness can improve body awareness and promote physical relaxation.

Regular practice can increase resting parasympathetic tone (proxy HRV) over time.

While much evidence derives from sport, there is increasing evidence for mindfulness practice improving performance and wellbeing in surgeons.

You can be mindful doing literally anything: scrubbing, walking or taking a deep breath. More formal mindfulness practices include seated meditation, breathwork and yoga.

References:

  • Schuman-Olivier et al. Harv Rev Psych. 2020;28(6):371

  • Lebares CC et al. JAMA Network Open 2019;2(5):e194108

  • Jerath R, et al. Front Hum Neurosci. 2012;6:1-4

  • Semple RJ. Mindfulness 2010;1:121-130

Listen to the expert

Dr. Shiv Chande on Mindfulness and Performance

Listen to my conversation with Dr Shiv Chande, who is a GP, mindfulness instructor, and yoga teacher.

He co-founded the Chande Project, blending science and soul; mindfulness and human connection for modern life.

You can find out more about what he’s up to @thechandeproject @chandepaul  

Listen to expert conversation here

Listen to the expert

Dr. Shiv Chande on Mindfulness and Performance

Listen to my conversation with Dr Shiv Chande, who is a GP, mindfulness instructor, and yoga teacher.

He co-founded the Chande Project, blending science and soul; mindfulness and human connection for modern life.

You can find out more about what he’s up to @thechandeproject @chandepaul  

Listen to expert conversation here

Listen to the expert

Dr. Shiv Chande on Mindfulness and Performance

Listen to my conversation with Dr Shiv Chande, who is a GP, mindfulness instructor, and yoga teacher.

He co-founded the Chande Project, blending science and soul; mindfulness and human connection for modern life.

You can find out more about what he’s up to @thechandeproject @chandepaul  

Listen to expert conversation here

This event has now passed – subscribe to the newsletter to catch the next one.

Mindfulness in Motion: Yoga for Surgeons with Dr Shiv Chande

Join Shiv for a live 60 minute yoga session specifically for surgeons on Monday 27th October at 8pm (UK).

No experience needed, just curiosity and a mat.

Register your interest

This event has now passed – subscribe to the newsletter to catch the next one.

Mindfulness in Motion: Yoga for Surgeons with Dr Shiv Chande

Join Shiv for a live 60 minute yoga session specifically for surgeons on Monday 27th October at 8pm (UK).

No experience needed, just curiosity and a mat.

Register your interest

This event has now passed – subscribe to the newsletter to catch the next one.

Mindfulness in Motion: Yoga for Surgeons with Dr Shiv Chande

Join Shiv for a live 60 minute yoga session specifically for surgeons on Monday 27th October at 8pm (UK).

No experience needed, just curiosity and a mat.

Register your interest

Listen on the move

Too busy to read, or consuming on your commute?

Listen, here!

Listen on the move

Too busy to read, or consuming on your commute?

Listen, here!

Listen on the move

Too busy to read, or consuming on your commute?

Listen, here!

Good thinking

“Weave your parachute before you jump out of the plane”

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Good thinking

“Weave your parachute before you jump out of the plane”

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Good thinking

“Weave your parachute before you jump out of the plane”

Jon Kabat-Zinn

Did you knowse...

25% of women and 67% of men would rather self-administer an electric shock than sit with their thoughts for 10 minutes.

Did you
knowse...

25% of women and 67% of men would rather self-administer an electric shock than sit with their thoughts for 10 minutes.

Did you knowse...

25% of women and 67% of men would rather self-administer an electric shock than sit with their thoughts for 10 minutes.

Listen to the expert

Optimising performance in climbing

Angus Kille is a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI) and Transformational Coach based in Wales.

With his wife, British professional climber Hazel Findlay, and team, he runs Strong Mind, providing climbers with the tools, practices and strategies they need to manage their fears and perform at their best... including mindfulness.

Listen to expert conversation here

Listen to the expert

Optimising performance in climbing

Angus Kille is a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI) and Transformational Coach based in Wales.

With his wife, British professional climber Hazel Findlay, and team, he runs Strong Mind, providing climbers with the tools, practices and strategies they need to manage their fears and perform at their best... including mindfulness.

Listen to expert conversation here

Listen to the expert

Optimising performance in climbing

Angus Kille is a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI) and Transformational Coach based in Wales.

With his wife, British professional climber Hazel Findlay, and team, he runs Strong Mind, providing climbers with the tools, practices and strategies they need to manage their fears and perform at their best... including mindfulness.

Listen to expert conversation here

Featured resources

Find a hub of mindfulness resources here, with a few featured (affiliation-free) ones, below.

View resource guide

Prefer mindfulness on the move?

Find some walking mindfulness prompts here.

Listen to audio

Find Stillness, Anywhere

Learn seated mindfulness meditation with apps like Headspace.

Read more

How mindful are you?

Assess your dispositional mindfulness using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale.

Take the test

Featured resources

Find a hub of mindfulness resources here, with a few featured (affiliation-free) ones, below.

View resource guide

Prefer mindfulness on the move?

Find some walking mindfulness prompts here.

Listen to audio

Find Stillness, Anywhere

Learn seated mindfulness meditation with apps like Headspace.

Read more

How mindful are you?

Assess your dispositional mindfulness using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale.

Take the test

Featured resources

Find a hub of mindfulness resources here, with a few featured (affiliation-free) ones, below.

View resource guide

Prefer mindfulness on the move?

Find some walking mindfulness prompts here.

Listen to audio

Find Stillness, Anywhere

Learn seated mindfulness meditation with apps like Headspace.

Read more

How mindful are you?

Assess your dispositional mindfulness using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale.

Take the test

Further reading

Explore book recommendations on the topic of Mindfulness, in paper, audio and truncated form, here.

Read more here

Further reading

Explore book recommendations on the topic of Mindfulness, in paper, audio and truncated form, here.

Read more here

Further reading

Explore book recommendations on the topic of Mindfulness, in paper, audio and truncated form, here.

Read more here

Got 5 minutes?

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique and name:

Got 5 minutes?

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique and name:

Got 5 minutes?

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique and name:

Book one-to-one coaching here

Book one-to-one coaching here

Book one-to-one coaching here

Available now

Optimising Performance for Surgeons course

6 weeks of self-directed content, plus two 1:1 coaching sessions for £300

Secure your spot now

Available now

Optimising Performance for Surgeons course

6 weeks of self-directed content, plus two 1:1 coaching sessions for £300

Secure your spot now

Available now

Optimising Performance for Surgeons course

6 weeks of self-directed content, plus two 1:1 coaching sessions for £300

Secure your spot now

The next newsletter will be about Mastery

Are there any subjects you would like to see covered?

Hear me out

The next newsletter will be about Mastery

Are there any subjects you would like to see covered?

Hear me out

The next newsletter will be about Mastery

Are there any subjects you would like to see covered?

Hear me out

Who is Lilli?

A surgeon by background and also a professional coach

This newsletter aims to share relevant, concise tips to help surgeons perform, and feel, better.

Thanks for being here — feel free to message with thoughts, suggestions, or just to say hi.

Who is Lilli?

A surgeon by background and also a professional coach

This newsletter aims to share relevant, concise tips to help surgeons perform, and feel, better.

Thanks for being here — feel free to message with thoughts, suggestions, or just to say hi.

Who is Lilli?

A surgeon by background and also a professional coach

This newsletter aims to share relevant, concise tips to help surgeons perform, and feel, better.

Thanks for being here — feel free to message with thoughts, suggestions, or just to say hi.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or professional services. The information shared should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health conditions. For personalised medical advice, please consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or professional services. The information shared should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health conditions. For personalised medical advice, please consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or professional services. The information shared should not be used for diagnosing or treating any health conditions. For personalised medical advice, please consult with a licensed healthcare professional.

Sign up for Lilli's Newsletter

A monthly letter sharing insights, reflections, and resources for clinicians and high stakes professionals who want to perform or feel better, or both!

Thoughtful content, no spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Sign up for Lilli's Newsletter

A monthly letter sharing insights, reflections, and resources for clinicians and high stakes professionals who want to perform or feel better, or both!

Thoughtful content, no spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Sign up for Lilli's Newsletter

A monthly letter sharing insights, reflections, and resources for clinicians and high stakes professionals who want to perform or feel better, or both!

Thoughtful content, no spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Supporting healthcare professionals to thrive through evidence-based resources, coaching, and community.

lilli@lillicooper.co.uk

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All Rights Reserved