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You chose to go into the medical profession out of a desire to help people. While your patients are endlessly grateful for your expertise in keeping them healthy, doing so at the expense of your own health can ultimately be detrimental for both of you.
At Medic Oncall, avoiding physician burnout is something we’re keenly aware of. We’ve come up with some doctor health tips to keep you happy and balanced on the job.
Table of Contents
Watching What You Eat at Work
As the old adage goes, “garbage in, garbage out.” As a doctor, you likely only have a small amount of time every day to eat, so it’s crucial that you eat wisely.
Avoid the Snack Machine
We know it’s convenient, but simply avoiding the snack machine can make a world of difference. That packet of chips or chocolate bar may grant you an energy boost now, but you know you’ll crash later.
Get Your Protein
One of our best doctor health tips is to make sure you’re getting enough protein. Ensuring you’re eating protein-rich foods when you have the time means you won’t feel as tired later. Why not try some mixed nuts instead of chips as a side? Having a boiled egg with breakfast is a great way to feel energetic right through until lunch.
One Word: Water
It’s vitally important to remain well-hydrated as this can be a real drag on your energy during the day. Try to keep a bottle of water at hand and avoid sugary drinks like Coca-Cola while at work.
Additionally, limiting your caffeine intake can be hugely beneficial. We know you work long hours and coffee can seem like it makes the world go ‘round, but as a diuretic, it will reduce your hydration.
Don’t Skimp on the Exercise
What you put into your body is one thing, but avoiding physician burnout includes using your body as well. At Medic Oncall, we know the importance of regular exercise and have a few go-to routines we like to recommend.
- Quality Cardio – Getting a good cardio workout about 3 or 4 times a week can hugely improve your overall health. Running is great, but also consider a spinning or swimming class as a group activity to keep you on track.
- Strength Training – Looking to make a change and tone up? Strength training can increase your energy as well as your muscle mass.
- HIIT – If you’re short on time, try a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session. These often incorporate a mix of cardio and strength training and can be done in a group or at home.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Mental health for doctors is a serious issue. The stress inherent in a doctor’s working life can take a toll, but we’ve found a few apps quite helpful in de-stressing and maintaining balance.
- Headspace – This app is great for a bit of guided meditation, helping you to reorient your energy and calm the mind.
- DarkNoise – Fantastic for tuning out for sleep or increased focus.
- DayOne – Journaling does wonders for organising and situating your thoughts.
If your’re using an android device, simply search for them on the Play Store.
Final Thoughts
At Medic Oncall, our first priority is the health of the doctors we place. From mental health for doctors to physical fitness, it’s enormously important to us that each of our doctors remains active and happy so that they’re always in tip-top shape on the job.
If you’re looking for a placement service that keeps your work-life balance at the core of its philosophy, you’ve found the right place.
Contact us to learn more about what we do today!
Experience the Medic Oncall benefits first-hand.
Medic Oncall is a leading recruitment agency, a sister company to Healthcare Australia providing solutions to healthcare facilities and doctors across Australia. With over decades of experience, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you find the perfect locum or permanent job.
If you’re interested in finding out more about what we can offer you, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
