Healthcare workers also need a pause to recharge

From August 20 to 27, 2026, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City organized the experiential workshop series "Journey to Nurturing Emotional Balance," aiming to enhance the mental health self-care capacity of its staff and healthcare personnel. Amidst the relentless pace of the healthcare environment, the program created a mindful pause for each individual to recognize signs of stress, listen to their body, and practice simple techniques to regulate emotions and recharge their energy.

The program was organized by the Committee for Mental Health Management and Care for Staff and Healthcare Personnel in coordination with the Committee for Cultivating and Developing a Culture of Kindness, under the guidance of Assoc. Prof. Le Khac Bao, MD, PhD – Vice Director of the Hospital. Through this series of activities, the Hospital places greater emphasis on the mental well-being of its workforce, equipping staff and employees with practical self-care skills to maintain equilibrium in their daily work.

Speaking at the program, Assoc. Prof. Le Khac Bao, MD, PhD noted that pressure in the medical environment can accumulate day by day, while healthcare workers themselves may not always recognize early physical and emotional signs of exhaustion. Therefore, equipping them with simple methods to identify stress, regulate emotions, and recover holds practical significance. By taking better care of themselves, healthcare personnel establish a stronger foundation to sustain focus, dedication, and vital energy in patient care.

At the workshop "Pause and Breathe – Learning to Give the Mind a Brief Respite," participants were guided on observing physical changes during stress, focusing on their breath, and practicing techniques to cultivate bodily calm. These short exercises, easily performed right during the workday, demonstrated that just a few minutes of pausing at the right moment can alleviate pressure on both body and mind.

Following this was the workshop "Releasing to Recover – When the Body Holds Unnoticed Fatigue." Through hands-on practice, participants learned to recognize body areas where tension frequently accumulates and release them step by step to facilitate recovery. The session also heightened awareness of the physical manifestations of stress—signals all too easily overlooked amid the daily workflow.

Rather than focusing on heavy theory, the workshops centered on accessible, practical techniques that can be directly applied to both daily work and life. From breath regulation to physical relaxation, participants gained practical tools to self-regulate after moments of acute stress and gradually cultivate sustainable mental health habits.

The experiential practice series "Journey to Nurturing Emotional Balance" is part of an ongoing commitment to building a workplace environment that prioritizes the holistic well-being of its workforce. To sustain their enduring dedication to patient care every single day, healthcare workers must also know when to take a timely pause, listen to their inner needs, and afford themselves the vital moments necessary to recover and recharge.