Lehigh Valley Health Network Internal Medicine Residency - Terrarium Therapy - 03.23.23

Lehigh Valley Health Network Internal Medicine Residency met at Sterner's for some Terrarium Therapy on March 23. The residents build their own terrarium and bonded outside of the office.  

1. What was the general understanding of the purpose of the project/program by participants?
General understanding of the terrarium therapy by the participants was to use planting as an outlet to detach from the stressors after a long workday.

2. During the project/program, what tangible tools or strategies were demonstrated or taught (ie, coping skills for wellness and life balance?)
During the session, each of the components of the terrarium were described and connected to human qualities and how different layers within ourselves work to make us function as a whole.

3. What word(s) best describes how you feel when you are experiencing stress or well-being imbalance?
Discouraged, intimidated, inadequate, tired

4. What suggestions do you have to increase the probability of success for the project / program for other institutions?
Spend once a month outside of normal work duties/responsibilities to meet with co residents in a stress-free environment. Participate in hands-on activities such as painting, planting, drawing, bowling, sports, etc.

5. What do you intend to do, upon returning to work, that you learned and practiced during the activity, that will improve your response to stressful situations?
Having more patience for personal growth, just like it takes time for a plant to grow- it takes us all individually different paths and times to get to the same end goal of being successful.