Having a career in the medical industry may be rewarding, but it's anything but a walk in the park. According to studies, medical industry careers are some of the most vulnerable to problems such as depression, stress and anxiety, and even physical problems related to job burnout. If you're already working in the medical field, there's a good chance that you're already experiencing some of these effects.
The most important part of avoiding the dreaded burnout is to keep a healthy work-life balance. However, many people in the medical industry feel that they're not doing enough to keep this balance and still end up feeling exhausted with their careers. If you want to get your work-life balance right, you need to take the right approach to it. Here are a few tips to help keep you on the right track.
- Plan Your Breaks Right
Some people think that taking plenty of breaks can go a long way in recovering. Filing week-long leaves may help you recover but that won't help you much if that means you're out of vacation leaves and you'll have to slog through the next few months. This is especially true in the medical field where overtime work and getting called after office hours can quickly wear you down.
Breaks are more effective if properly “spread out” over a period of time. Plan shorter but more frequent leaves, and you'll always be looking forward to something to stave off the burnout at least once a month. This also applies to your daily schedule; if your schedule is flexible, set the breaks in between a few hours of work instead of trying to combine them into one extra-long break.
- Find a Hobby
The medical industry can be so frantic that many professionals feel stuck even when they're on a break. In truth, many of these professionals just don't know what to do with their free time. You may be spending too much time trying to figure out where to go or what to do during your leaves that the day ends without you being able to do anything for yourself. For some people, the “wasted” days off feels like a loss and further brings down their morale.
In cases like these, it might be a good idea to get a hobby. By picking up a hobby, you will always have a fall back plan as your next day-off approaches. Don't feel like shopping or just relaxing at home? Do something related to your hobby. As long as you get to spend the time doing something you like, it should help you from suffering from job burnout at work.
- Talk to People
People tend to forget that having good work-life balance also involves spending time at work the right way. Many problems related to job burnout has something to do with having a poor social life. They don't have anyone that can help them out when they're feeling down and the situation gets worse.
During days off or even after office hours, get in touch with your close friends. At work, try to be cordial with your colleagues at least. The more friendly faces at work, the easier it is to bear hours working at that place. If you have a friend at work, that's even better since you'll have someone who can relate to you.
- Keep Your Priorities Straight
A common mistake that most medical professionals make is that they forget to prioritize what really matters. After a few months or years in the business, people suffering from job burnout just think about trying to survive each day at work. These professionals have already forgotten why they are working in the first place.
Whether it's for helping other people, having enough savings for a secure future, a nice car, or a nice tour at the end of the year, setting goals will give you something to keep you motivated even when things at the work become too much to handle. If you're feeling down and you feel like the burnout's getting to you, take a few moments to stop and think about how your career helps you get closer to your goals.
Work-life balance isn't just about having enough breaks or days off; it's about making sure you're happy whether you're at work or in the field. Keep these tips in mind and you should be able to avoid the damaging effects of job burnout.
