Have you ever thought, “I know what I should be doing, I’m just not doing it”? It’s a common refrain for those of us who want to get healthier. And when you’re working a stressful job, like a career in healthcare, you know that you will have to take special care of yourself before you experience burnout. Healthy nurses deliver better care for patients. Here are some ways you can stay healthy in your medical career.
Sweat It Out
Exercise is great for a lot of reasons. It’s good for your overall health and fitness, builds muscle, and keeps you engaged. But there is also a huge connection to working out and your mental wellbeing. You can help curb stress by sweating it out every day. And you don’t need to commit to a full 45-minute workout. Even short bursts of exercise can be very helpful.
Catch Some Zzz’s
Similarly, sleep will help you become better balanced overall. Sleep and stress tend to have a circular relationship. If you can’t sleep, you feel stressed. If you feel stressed, you can’t sleep. And while you might not be able to control the things causing you stress in your life, you can control your sleep behaviors. Create a bedtime routine, turn off your smart devices before bed, and go to sleep at the same time every night.
Do What You Love
Yes, you probably love working in healthcare and helping people, but that’s not the only passion we’re talking about. Spend time outside of work doing something you love. What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work? Spend time with friends and family. Take some time for yourself. Do the activities or crafts that bring you joy.
Get Help When You Need it
The thing about stress is that you don’t have to go through it alone. If you’re feeling stressed, or burned out, ask for help. Your employer may even have resources to connect you to a counselor who can help you talk through what’s going on and make a real plan to alleviate the stress you’re experiencing at home or on the job.
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