Creating Balance and Avoiding Burnout During Residency

3 min read

Posted on August 4, 2021

Man sitting at a table with his head in his hands.

Being a doctor is a rewarding, empowering career: you literally save lives. The stress that comes along with being a doctor, however, can turn “empowering” into “overpowering,” resulting in physician burnout.

In fact, 47% of physicians surveyed said burnout had a strong/severe impact on their life, according to the Medscape National Physician Burnout & Suicide Report 2021. These are sobering statistics.

But we have four tips to help you create balance and overcome symptoms of burnout.

1.  Recognize the signs of burnout early on

The first step is awareness. Luckily, Mark Linzer, MD, Director of the Division of General Internal Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, has studied physician burnout for the last ten years and identified several common contributing factors.

According to Linzer, doctors may experience burnout if they are consistently under high stress, if they work in a chaotic environment that compromises quality of care, or if they differ from their bosses in values or patient care philosophy.

Definitions of burnout frequently highlight three symptoms:

  1. Emotional exhaustion
  2. Depersonalization, resulting in trouble connecting with patients
  3. Diminished confidence in one’s own skills, accomplishments, or efficacy

By tuning into these factors and warning signs, you can get an early start on countering burnout.

2.  Support your physical health

It’s no wonder that many doctors find themselves grabbing an unhealthy snack or skipping their exercise routine — physicians are insanely busy. But while scheduling time for exercise and healthy meal–planning is difficult, regular exercise has extensive health benefits.

Exercise can uplift spirits, boost energy, control weight and help combat health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. When we exercise, we are typically able to distract ourselves from stress, and exercise also provides an opportunity to catch up on neglected passions. Listen to a favorite playlist while running, catch up with a must-see television show on the elliptical machine, or even socialize with friends in a kickboxing class. An hour of exercise can restore balance not only to our minds, but also to our bodies. And if you can’t squeeze in an entire hour, even a short 10–20 minute walk can get your blood pumping and help clear your mind.

3.  Embrace your support system

One of the first things to be eliminated when we feel stretched thin is time with friends. However, leaning on the supportive individuals we have and seeking out new support is vital to easing anxiety. Spend quality time with your spouse or significant other. Participate in activities that have nothing to do with work, like exploring a new hobby or volunteering. Talk with your friends and loved ones about your stressors and allow them to help you make a plan. You do not need to bear the weight of stress alone.

Additionally, mental help professionals are trained to help you manage your anxiety. They can provide additional support and solutions to help you avoid burnout.

4.  Cultivate mindfulness

Tending to sick and suffering patients is hard enough without being accompanied by worry and anxiety. But mindfulness practices can help you be present in the here and now and separate those normal tasks of the job from the negative emotions associated with burnout.

While mindfulness is often associated with meditation, mindfulness experts also provide simple strategies to perform on the job, at moments of high stress, or even before entering a stressful situation. Just think — you could stop your anxiety before it even starts.

Some useful resources are apps like Calm.com or Headspace.com which offer tips to manage stress, along with many mediation exercises. There’s also The Happy MD, which offers a One-Minute Mindfulness Online Training program geared specifically toward physicians.

By making these changes, you can rediscover your passion for medicine and your peace of mind. And most importantly, by avoiding burnout, you can continue having a long, fulfilling career in medicine.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is not intended to provide legal, financial or tax advice. We recommend consulting with a financial adviser before making a major financial decision.

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