Stress is part of everyday life. Some professionals are more stressed than others. Medical professionals, and especially doctors, experience stress levels above the threshold 30 percent more than the average person.
The reason for this is a combination of factors including increased administrative demands, long working hours and the toll taken by practicing medicine.
The dangers of chronic stress in medicine
Chronic and long-term stress can cause serious consequences in doctors. You may have wondered why doctors earn so much. The sheer pressure and stakes of medical care are enough to justify the high salaries. Stress is real, but it can be dangerous if left unchecked. Burnout, mistakes by practitioners, and long-term health issues can all be caused by stress. There are many ways that doctors can effectively manage their stress at work and home.
1. Manage Easy-to-Control Stressors
Take control of your environment to help you manage stress. Take control of the stressors that you can manage, such as cooking every day or shopping for groceries. Even at home, delegating small tasks can reduce stress, and have a positive impact over time.
2. Guided Imagery and Meditation
Doctors sometimes need to find a way to reduce stress faster. Mediating can be an effective short-term or long-term solution. You can use a variety of techniques in as little as a few moments or over varying lengths of time each day. It is possible to enjoy a relaxing vacation without leaving home. It’s like going to a happy, relaxing place in your mind to calm down and reduce stress.
3. Indulge Your Desires
In life, people are rewarded for their hard work. This shouldn’t stop when they enter the medical field. It is true that the job itself is reward enough, but self-rewarding is an excellent way to reduce stress and increase job satisfaction. It can be as simple as taking the weekend off to kayak or as extravagant as an extended vacation. Even small rewards given daily or weekly can be very effective at reducing stress.
4. Proper Diet & Nutrition
Stress management also requires a healthy diet, exercise, and plenty of sleep. The work-life balance of doctors is naturally chaotic, and this can be a source of stress. You will see long-term benefits if you include mood-regulating foods in your diet, such as walnuts and avocados. You can also consider natural supplements like L-theanin and Ashwagandha.
Doctor Heal Thyself
You should follow the same advice you would give a patient for stress reduction. It’s not difficult to manage stress, but you will need to make a commitment and change your lifestyle. Stress-free doctors will provide better care to their patients. Using the above tips, reducing stress in medical professionals will be easier than before.