Many doctors are running themselves down, with a job that goes non stop 24/7, 365, and constantly puts them in high pressure situations. These things can lead to verging on burnout, which it can have a major impact on your everyday performance. Although sometimes it happens uncontrollably, symptoms include feeling like your job is a waste of time, everyday is a bad day, and not feeling appreciated.
Here are some steps to avoid getting into this negative headspace and getting back to enjoying everyday you spend doing what you love.
1. Have fun.
Even though we deal with many sad events, there is humour and warmth in the everyday if you look for it.
2. Take breaks.
Plan a vacation every three months so you have something to look forward to.
3. Exercise daily.
You have to put it in your calendar. Schedule it into your smart phone for Monday to Friday: swim at the YMCA. Or lunch may be a better time for you to exercise, especially if you have young children. Avoid after work or weekends because you are likely to skip out of it when you are tired.
4. Mix up your day.
Sitting and talking to patients who are complaining for eight hours a day would can get hard. I go to my two nursing homes in the morning and have my office in the afternoon. I am never more than two hours from a break.
5. Meditate. Take a course in it or there are good online sites. Try Deepak Chopra’s.
6. Do yoga.
7. Never take your work home, either mentally or physically
(paperwork or computer). If you are lying in bed ruminating over a patient interaction, get up and write down all the pros and cons of the situation then deal with them when you get back to work.
8. Reward yourself.
Take a day off and do whatever you want. Book it now.
9. Take one half-day off every work week.
Don’t do medicine or get caught up in paper/computer work.
10. Get home for dinner with your family.
It is the one time the whole family can get together and share their triumphs and disappointments.