During difficult times, we want to remind you to take care of yourself first. The following are tips to help you navigate the challenges of a new era in healthcare. Now more than ever, we need to get back to the basics of wellness.
Your job can be demanding. Most physicians deal with long hours and demanding situations. Patients can be stressed, scared, or anxious, and so can you.
During difficult times, we want to remind you to take care of yourself first. The following are tips to help you navigate the challenges of a new era in healthcare. Now more than ever, we need to get back to the basics of wellness.
To give your patients the best possible care, you can’t forget to care for yourself.
What are you telling your patients? Take your own advice and listen to yourself. Ensure you’re eating right, exercising, practicing self-care, keeping calm, and getting enough rest.
Focus on meeting your basic needs.
It’s undoubtedly challenging to check in with yourself when you’re under so many pressures, but so incredibly necessary. Who will be there for your patients and family if you don't care for yourself first? You and your patients can use the SENS Solution® principles to help stay healthy, centered, and balanced.
I know what you’re thinking, impossible. Even if it seems unbelievable now, ensuring you get enough sleep or as much as possible is vital.
With the increased demands you face as a physician, depriving yourself of sleep can harm your immune system [2] and significantly affect your physical and emotional well-being. You’re giving your patients this advice, right? Set an example!
We all know that exercise has positive effects, both mentally and physically. Even in minimal doses, it can do wonders for your mood.
Try to fit in some basic cardio on your lunch break, take the dog for a quick walk, or do a few jumping jacks to reduce stress, increase endorphins and boost your immune system. Don’t think you need a complete gym workout – any exercise is better than no exercise!
When working non-stop, it can be easy to forget the basics – eating healthy and regularly. Stay hydrated throughout the day and eat enough fruits and vegetables to get nutrients and antioxidants.
Try keeping easy healthy snacks on hand, like almonds, yogurt, and fresh fruit, to snack on whenever possible. Supplements are designed for times like these, so if you know you’re not getting the proper nutrients through food right now, you can still help give your body what it needs to get by.
It’s easy for the strongest people to get overwhelmed during times of stress. The first tip, let it go.
If you need to cry at the end of a tough day on the front line, cry, let it out. Acknowledging your emotions is the first step to managing them.
In a SENSe of Wellness Podcast on Stress Mastery with Bill Cortright, he shares tactics on not only managing but mastering stress by achieving a deeper understanding of its origin. He also shares practical tips on breathwork and gratitude. As hard as that may be, focusing on the positive can make a big difference in recharging your battery.
Don’t hesitate to contact your support network or trusted colleagues if you feel overwhelmed. Remember, we’re all in this together.
Your patients rely on you more than ever for answers and information. Since there is a lot of misinformation regarding medical advice, you might have to be the one to give your patients the facts.
To help ease their minds, consider sending out an email newsletter. This is a great way to stay connected and keep your patients informed and educated from their most trusted source, you! You could include tips on staying healthy, identifying symptoms, when to call a doctor, and when to go to the emergency room.
By being proactive and giving your patients the information they need, you can help manage your time better and help ease the burden on the healthcare system.
If you haven’t already, you should explore telemedicine options for your practice.
Many more insurance companies have started covering telemedicine and often at a higher reimbursement than before. Even Medicare now covers telehealth visits as well as virtual check-ins. [4]
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