Caregiver—It’s right there in the description of what you do for a living. As a physician, you are, by default, a caregiver. You’re often the person giving care to others, and sometimes it’s hard to remember that self-care is just as important.
Physician, heal thyself!
Think of yourself as if you were your own patient. What lifestyle would you prescribe? Perhaps a slower pace or more time off? Maybe more sleep and better eating habits? This season, heal yourself by dedicating some time to self-care.
Here are our prescriptions:
Be Mindful
Mindfulness has a long list of proven benefits, including improved health, well-being, and cognitive function. You can start simply by practicing mindfulness in your everyday activities.
Block Out Personal Time
To do this, you need only two things: a calendar and a pen—or a keypad if you’ve gone digital. Make appointments with family members, the gym, even couch time with your favorite show. This will help prevent you from overcommitting to work.
Prioritize Sleep
If your own wellness is not enough incentive, how about your competency? Studies show that sleep helps you consolidate and remember more of what you learn.
Eat Right
Even if you’re on the go and can’t always eat good food, make it a goal to add healthy food to your diet. Even if you just add a vegetable to one of your daily meals, it can be an improvement over what you’re eating now.
Consider Creative Solutions
More and more doctors are improving work/life balance by finding new ways to practice medicine, such as sharing a practice or combining it with a second career. The old model of primary care practice is evolving. Consider your options.
You can’t help others if you allow yourself to burn out. Add your own name to your patient list this gift-giving season and make your wellness a priority.
And, don't forget to put a MedStudy Gift Card on your holiday wishlist to help you tackle your 2021 goals!
