Thriving Through Uncertainty: Practices for Clinician Well-Being
- Linda Roszak Burton
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 24
At Accordant, we look to ethos—a concept deeply rooted in philosophy and rhetoric—as a foundation for understanding the virtues, values and principles that guide individuals or organizations. When connected to the "practice" concepts outlined below, ethos becomes essential to thriving during times of uncertainty, enhancing well-being and improving how we view ourselves, build relationships and engage with others.
As a health care clinician (including all caregivers), practicing gratitude, self-compassion, kindness and generosity during times of uncertainty may seem counterintuitive. Yet, these practices are particularly vital. Recognizing the certainties in your professional and personal life can also be crucial for maintaining stability and well-being.
Here are a few practices to help strengthen and sustain your well-being:
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is a choice. Choosing to be grateful, especially during times of uncertainty, can yield significant benefits. When facing challenges, taking a step back to view life as a whole through a lens of gratitude can be more helpful than focusing only on difficult circumstances. Consider reflecting on the individuals and aspects in your life that bring meaning and inspire gratitude. Ethos and gratitude are deeply interrelated, promoting positive character traits both within yourself and in others.
Practice Self-Compassion
Research highlights the link between self-compassion and improved mental and physical well-being. Acknowledge your frustrations, losses and mistakes as part of being human, and practice reframing them as a gift of knowledge, empowerment or inspiration. Practicing self-compassion can lead to individual well-being, empowering you to contribute to others and the greater good.
Practice Kindness
Acts of kindness toward strangers, loved ones or colleagues have a healing impact. According to a 2023 Mayo Clinic article, practicing kindness has been shown to increase empathy, compassion and improve mood.¹ It can also decrease blood pressure and cortisol—a hormone directly correlated with stress levels. Ethos rooted in kindness demonstrates moral character and the capaticy to influence your environment in positive ways.
Practice Generosity
Research shows that generosity—whether through time, resources or kindness—boosts mental and physical well-being. Studies reveal that generous behavior activates brain regions linked to happiness, which enhances mood and life satisfaction. Giving also lowers stress levels and strengthens social connections. Furthermore, giving fosters a sense of purpose and gratitude, creating a positive feedback loop. By practicing generosity regularly, you can enrich others' lives while cultivating greater joy and overall well-being in your own. Generosity as a virtue is a core element of a positive ethos.
Practice Recognizing Certainty in Life
Recognizing areas of certainty in your life helps satisfy the brain’s need for stability. What are you certain of—personally, professionally, within your institution or in your community? Take a moment to reflect on these anchors of stability, and consider expressing gratitude for the support and benefits they provide. Being rooted in your ethos of virtues, values and guiding principles provides a strong sense of identity, enabling you to thrive and achieve greater life satisfaction.
Accordant’s research and evidence-based coaching and well-being services are informed by strength-based psychology, neuroscience and gratitude. For more information, email Linda Roszak Burton at Linda@AccordantHealth.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.
About the Author: Linda Roszak Burton BS, BBC, ACC, is a Principal Consultant and a certified executive coach and health and well-being coach with Accordant. She is the author of Gratitude Heals: A Journal for Inspiration and Guidance. Her TEDx Talk on the Power of Gratitude was released in 2022.
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