The Joyful Doctor

12/06/2025

The Air India Crash - my thoughts and prayers and with all those affected by this tragic event.

I made a short video recently about what to expect after seeing something awful like this unfolding in the news… and a few tips on how to look after your mental health in the aftermath. I hope it helps.

23/05/2025

A Rowan tree - often known as the Tree of Life - was planted The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in memorial of healthcare workers who have died by su***de.

Newcastle Hospitals is the latest organisation to join our National Memorial Tree campaign, in association with our Patron Adam Kay - writer / comedian

The tree was planted in the grounds of the Freeman Hospital and the ceremony was attended by the hospital's Acting Chief Executive, Rob Harrison, Interim Shared Chair, Paul Ennals, and our Ambassador Dr Jess Morgan.

Mr Ennals said: “This event - and tree - is a way for us to remember and reflect on those who have taken their own lives. It is also a symbol of our commitment to protect the mental health and wellbeing of all of our colleagues working across Newcastle Hospitals."

***deprevention ***dememorial

18/05/2025

🔄 “I feel trapped in a cycle I can’t control.”

OCD is very common in doctors.

It often goes undiagnosed for many years.

The perfectionism, repeated checking and reassurance seeking of OCD can often seem ‘normal’ in the context of a doctor trying to do a good job and be safe.

Medicine is a playground for OCD symptoms to run amok!

Many doctors with OCD tendencies or undiagnosed OCD can be left feeling isolated, overwhelmed and stuck in a cycle of fear and shame…

Whether it’s double-checking notes and results over and over, or managing relentless intrusive inappropriate thoughts, OCD can take a serious toll on both your personal and professional life as doctor.

One client shared, “I thought my rituals made me a better doctor, but they were actually wearing me down.”

I’ve seen how isolating OCD can be, but I’ve also seen how people can break free with the right guidance and support.

In this session, we’ll unpack:
✔️ Why OCD in medicine often goes unrecognised—and why it’s not just about ‘being a thorough doctor’
✔️ How to break free from the cycles of obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviours
✔️ Long-term approaches to managing OCD while maintaining a fulfilling career

You don’t have to live with constant doubt or fear of losing control. And you don’t have to stay stuck in an unhelpful OCD cycle with another doctor you may be trying to support…

Join us on Wednesday, 21st May at 7:30 PM to learn from real experiences of doctors with OCD and get some actionable advice on how to spot it and manage it well in medicine!

The wellbeing webinar: https://shorturl.at/Vi2Pf

06/05/2025

The grass is greener… everywhere

Twice this week I’ve heard a doctor say to me ‘maybe the grass isn’t greener on the other side…’

And it got me thinking

I understand the meaning of the metaphor - that we shouldn’t assume thing are better somewhere else, or for someone else… or that a change in circumstances might not always be a good thing…

But it made me think - maybe it’s more helpful to take out the comparison altogether

Maybe it would be more helpful to think…

How can I make my grass greener here?

What if the grass IS green and we’re just not paying attention to it?

What if the grass could be green right now … AND green for someone else or in the future?

What if the grass was green everywhere?

10/04/2025

😰 Anxiety is a shadow many doctors live under…

From constant worry over patient outcomes to the fear of making a mistake, it’s no surprise our work can leave us with a persistent sense of unease.

One doctor I worked with described it perfectly: “I can’t switch off. My mind is always racing, replaying every decision I made at work, worrying that I might have made a mistake or missed something serious.”

You might be saying to yourself it’s ‘just part of the job’ - but it doesn’t have to be…

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools and support, it’s possible to find calm again - even in the busiest of lives.

In my upcoming webinar on Doctors with Anxiety, we’ll discuss:

✔️ The situations that trigger the most anxiety in doctors - and how to understand them
✔️ Practical methods to calm your mind and body in high-pressure situations
✔️ How to stop anxiety from taking over your life both inside and outside of work

Join me and the rest of the Joyful Doctor Community on Thursday, 24th Apr at 5 PM - to find out how to keep anxiety at bay… for yourself or any doctors you’d like to support.

Join us here: https://www.joyfuldoctor.com/join-us

31/03/2025

Connection: Love Your Colleagues

Working in healthcare there are many moments of connection that we can underestimate…

…the moment a colleague hands you a coffee when your shift feels like it will never end

…the moment a colleague spots your quiet distress and says: “I’ve got this one, why not head home”

…the moment a member of the team remembers your name and asks you how your days off went

As doctors, we’re trained to fix, to heal, to do - but rarely taught how to support each other

In a world of long hard shifts, heartbreaking losses, and relentless pressure, our colleagues aren’t just our coworkers - they are our lifelines 💙

This week, I’ve been reflecting on the small acts of solidarity that keep us going:

- the shared laughter in the break room that cuts through the exhaustion

- the unspoken “I see you” when someone covers your on-call

- the courageous people saying “I’m not okay” and the grace of those who meet them with a “Me too, let’s figure this out together.”

Here’s to loving our colleagues - not just for their skills and their time, but for their humanity and kindness. For the way they turn a crumbling system into a nurturing and enjoyable place to work 🤝

Your turn…

👉 Tag a colleague who’s been your anchor (or made you smile through the chaos!)

👉 Share a story in the comments - when did a colleague’s kindness lift you up?

And if you need a reminder to nurture these connections (or give yourself permission to ask for help), my book Permission is always here. Because supporting each other starts with meeting our own needs first... (https://amzn.eu/d/3DYf9WK)

P.S. To the three brilliant souls in this photo – and every colleague reading this – thank you. For showing up, even when it’s hard, or taking time off when you need to. Thank you. 🏥💕

10/03/2025

🖤 Depression can wear many masks.

Depression is one of the most common mental health struggles among doctors, yet it’s rarely spoken about. We’re taught to hide our emotions, put on a brave face, and carry on no matter what—but ignoring the signs doesn’t make them go away.

Over the years, I’ve supported many doctors who felt like they had no one to turn to. They described feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, and shame for not being “strong enough.” It takes incredible courage to confront depression, but it’s a step toward healing and rediscovering yourself.

In this heartfelt session, we’ll explore:
✔️ The subtle and not-so-subtle signs of depression in ourselves and our colleagues.
✔️ How we can support one another when the burden feels too heavy to bear.
✔️ Simple but effective ways to prevent depression, even in a demanding career like ours.

💬 Join us on Tuesday, 11th Mar at 9 AM for an honest and compassionate conversation. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

https://www.joyfuldoctor.com/join-us

03/03/2025

🎨 Our online Joyful Painting Days are rapidly becoming some of my favourite days of the year…

I always finish these days feeling rested, re-energised and inspired. And I definitely don’t feel like I’ve spent the day online!

As a complete beginner I have learnt so much about painting from these days… It’s more than just an art-form - it’s a way to have fun with your hands, calm your mind and express things that words cannot touch…

Please join us on Saturday 26th April (10am-4pm), for our next Joyful Painting Day - where we’ll spend the day together online, each creating our own beautiful painting from scratch.

Our amazing Art Teacher Ali will send you all the painting equipment you need ahead of time, and then guide you step-by-step through painting this stunning picture of a dandelion on the day: ‘Blown’.

💡 FAQ Spotlight: What if I’ve never painted before?

Perfect! This day is designed for beginners, and Ali’s guidance will ensure you feel confident every step of the way. Many of our past participants were complete beginners—and they left with paintings they were proud of - and came back to do it again!

A few Early Bird tickets are still available at just £149 (including VaT and all art supplies) so book now to secure your place.

https://www.joyfuldoctor.com/page/591261-joyful-painting-day-26th-oct-2025

Can’t wait to see you there!

19/02/2025

Ooh what a dream team - a free webinar run by 2 incredible doctors Dr Rachel Morris and Dr Sarah Coope who really get what works and what doesn’t when it come to looking after yourself as a high-stress professional…

It's undeniable - traditional wellbeing initiatives aren’t working (fruitbowls and yoga, anyone?!), and healthcare professionals are paying the price.

🚨We need to take a different approach.

Join us for a 60-minute lunchtime webinar on Thursday, 27th February 2025 at 12:30 GMT to discover a different approach to beating burnout, retaining your best staff and changing the way you approach wellbeing in healthcare organisations.

In this session, you’ll learn:
💡 What goes wrong with most wellbeing initiatives, including our hard-won lessons about what really works.
💡 The underlying causes of stress and burnout in healthcare, and our experience of what interventions make the biggest difference.
💡 A simple model you can use immediately which will transform how you lead and support your team

📌Led by me, Dr Rachel Morris, and Dr Sarah Coope, this webinar is designed for healthcare leaders who want to make a real impact, and it's all FREE!

I hope to see you there! Register now 👇
https://www.shapestoolkit.com/the-trouble-with-wellbeing-Feb25

19/02/2025

Congrats Doctors in Distress! Good luck with the continued fundraising!

We have reached the first major milestone in our Every Minute Of Every Day fundraising appeal by raising a brilliant £10,000. 🎉

Thank you to all those who have donated and supported this urgent appeal, which has been set up to fund our Weekly Support Groups for a full year.

We have another £40,000 to raise but we need your help to get us there!

Unless we reach our target, this vital service will not be able to continue, which would be devastating for the many healthcare workers who gain mental health support from it, week in and week out.

Every Minute Of Every Day healthcare workers are caring around the clock but many are overwhelmed and are themselves in need of support. They are there for us, now we need to be there for them.

Be someone’s lifeline and donate today!
https://justgiving.com/campaign/everyminuteofeveryday

19/02/2025

Would highly recommend this 1-day Recharge Retreat run by two good friends and colleagues of mine… x

👉🏼 Just a nudge as the days are getting longer a time to get outside!

🌳 Even if you need to bundle up and squelch through mud ☺

I had a wonderful walk with the amazing Jo Hacking as we planned our next Recharge Day Retreat for you -

Friday May 9th.

DM to book or head to
https://www.workingwelldoctor.com/retreats