Wellness Resources

At Desert Care Network, mental and physical wellness are top priorities for our physicians, residents, and staff. In order to take the best care of our patients, we first must take care of ourselves. A list of physical and mental wellness resources has been compiled below, along with outdoor, arts and cultural activities to be found in the Coachella Valley.

Wellness Activities include, but are not limited to: Orientation Week New Resident Mingle; Mid-year Celebration; Spring Retreat; Summer All Resident Graduation; Wellness days; Team-Building exercises, as well as Group Outings to local attractions.

Self-Assessment

We are on a mission to beat burnout and renew purpose among residents with high stress. Burnout leads to adverse consequences that affect people, their employers, and the people they serve.

Invented by the Mayo Clinic, the Well-Being Index is a 100% anonymous, online self-assessment that evaluates multiple dimensions of distress in just 9 questions. The tool then provides results that the individual can compare against national averages and their peers. Based on these results, the Well-Being Index also provides resources and next-steps for an improved well-being. It is a validated tool that has been used by more than 35,000 professionals.
Residents work with their Faculty Mentor semi-annually and annually on self-awareness, professional improvement and personal growth. You can track changes in your well-being over time and address any concerns with valuable resources.

Mayo Clinic Well-Being Index Self-Assessment

Mental Wellness

Mental well-being is critical, especially in the life of a physician. Meditation and mindfulness practice can help develop our ability to respond to the daily stress of our environment.

Reiki at DRMC – free for residents - starting in August (stay tuned for details)
Mindful Meditation at DRMC – free for residents - starting in August (stay tuned for details)
Stergios Building Gym at DRMC – free for residents - Mon-Fri, 5a-7a & 2p-8p, Sat & Sun 5a-8p

Headspace: free for AMA members
Headspace: free meditations
Mindfulness Resources
Free Meditation Resources
Riverside County Mental Health Resources

Hospital Mental Health Resources

For Confidential Behavior Services for Residents & Faculty.

Tenet Employee Assistance Program
866-335-2340

Substance Use Resources

The Physicians Confidential Line
Phone: 213.383.2691

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Suicide Prevention

If you are having thoughts of wanting to harm yourself or others, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Available 24/7
Online chat: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat
or call 800.273.TALK (8255)

Professional Organization Wellness Sites

Several professional organizations have their own wellness resource collections. Here are links to a few of them:

American Psychiatric Association Well-Being Resources
ACP Well-being Tools

Physical Wellness

Several video channels for physical wellness are out there! Here are a few suggestions (check back regularly for updated resources):

Urban Yoga Palm Springs (in Ruth Hardy Park)
Egoscue Anywhere Exercises
Power Yoga Palm Springs
Stretch Institute Palm Desert
Stretch-Works

Outdoor Activities

Our institution is fortunate to be located in a world-class city, nestled against the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. Incredible outdoor adventures await you. For some ideas, check out these resources:

Hiking Project: Coachella Valley
Mt. San Jacinto State Park via Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Mecca Hills Painted Canyon
Things to do in Palm Springs
Boomer’s Mini-Golf and Go-karts ++
Public Golf Courses
Bowling
Cathedral City Casino (live music, bars, restaurants, slots) and Agua Caliente Casino
Palm Desert Aquatic Center

Nearby Adventures

Joshua Tree National Park for hiking, camping, rock climbing, bouldering, horseback riding, and more.
Distance: ~45 minutes from Palm Springs
Idyllwild, CA for hiking, camping, rock climbing, and more.
Distance: ~1 hour from Palm Springs.
Anza Borrego Desert State Park for hiking, camping, and more. You don’t want to miss the desert wildflowers bloom during springtime!
Distance: ~1 hr and 45 minutes from Palm Springs
Big Bear Lake for snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, camping, swimming, jet skiing, and more.
Distance: ~1 hr and 45 minutes from Palm Springs.

Personal Development

Culture, Arts, and Music Activities

The Coachella Valley is a world-renowned tourist destination, with something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you enjoy music festivals, golf tournaments, or are an architecture connoisseur, there is something in the Valley for you.

Visit Greater Palm Springs – website for more activities & events
Village Fest in downtown Palm Springs
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Stagecoach Festival
Riverside County Fair & Date Festival
Indio International Tamale Festival
Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs International Film Festival
The American Express PGA Golf Tournament
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Personal Development Reading List

Personal growth can provide a strong foundation for wellness and resilience. The following list contains suggestions on popular self-development reading:

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Give and Take by Adam Grant
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
Start with Why by Simon Sinek