Doctors are often too busy to take care of themselves. They work long hours, and when they finally have some free time, they don’t know how to relax. This can lead to burnout or fatigue that can affect their performance. In this post, we will discuss why doctors need to take time for themselves and the importance of relaxation in order to stay healthy.
A systemic review of surveys and interventions from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand suggests that providing doctors with opportunities to take time for themselves is correlated with better health outcomes.
Many options exist for a doctor looking to relax! Some examples include: taking walks, partaking in a hobby, meditation, and other exercises.
Let’s take a close look at the benefits of walking — many think walking isn’t as beneficial as other, more intensive exercises but they’d be wrong.
A study in the British Medical Journal found that people who walk as little as 30 minutes a day live longer and have a more balanced outlook. Walking is also effective at reducing stress levels, lowering the risk of depression, and improving overall productivity. This makes it an excellent way to unwind.
When not taking a walk, or if walking isn’t your speed, why not try a new hobby. Cooking is a great way to relax and unwind. This allows doctors the chance to focus on something other than their work.
A different study found that spending time with friends can also reduce stress levels by more than 50%. What’s better? The participants in this study were able to decrease their blood pressure.
And even doing something simple like putting together a puzzle can make a world of difference. Research has found that doing a puzzle, or completing a Sudoku, decreases the level of stress hormones in your body.
How about meditation? This ancient practice has been shown to reduce stress and increase relaxation.
According to a study, meditation can help you fall asleep faster — which is why it can even become part of your routine before bedtime.
Everyone who is still working can benefit from taking time to relax and rejuvenate their mind. These simple activities can help doctors manage their stress levels and ultimately improve patient care!
One last note. Another way to free up time to destress and unwind is delegating. An expert partner can take work off your plate and allow you to focus on core tasks, and yes, provide more moments to take care of yourself.
