Everyone encounters stress from a long day of work. But in the medical field, the stress can pile on quickly. From being on your feet constantly to working with many different personalities, it can be difficult to deal with stress in the medical field. Luckily, there are many methods you can use to help keep stress at bay. Here are some strategies for mindfully dealing with stress in the medical field.
Create Work-Life Balance
When working in the medical field it may feel like you spend all of your time at your practice. If you find you aren’t doing meaningful activities outside of work, you can quickly become overwhelmed with work stress. One strategy to deal with stress is to create a work-life balance for yourself.
Saying no when you’re overwhelmed may feel impossible, but it is necessary to help prevent overload and burnout. Some common work stresses may be taking on an extra shift or staying longer than your scheduled hours. If you know that taking on an extra shift will cause an overwhelming amount of stress, it is best to practice setting boundaries and not taking it on.
One strategy to create work-life balance when you are out of the workplace is taking time for hobbies. A hobby can be anything from going to the gym, meeting up with friends for a trivia night, or playing an instrument. Dedicating time to something you enjoy can make your life outside of work more enjoyable and keep the work stress at the office.
Set Up Safety Nets Outside of Work
A large stressor for medical professionals can be wondering what would happen if you couldn’t work. In a fast-paced environment accidents can occur that could interrupt your ability to do your job. To take the stress of the unknown away from everyday life, you can opt for disability insurance through your employer. Knowing that you are protected in the event of an emergency can take that stress away from everyday life and the workplace.
Try Mindfulness Practices
Mindfulness practices are incredible ways to get in touch with yourself and learn how to cope with stressors. Mindfulness is about being present and in the moment. If you are more aware of the stressors in your work life, you can come up with healthy ways to address them. If you would like to try practicing mindfulness, these are some of the strategies to start with.
- Focus on Breathing
- Try Breathing Exercises
- Practice Being Grateful
- Guided Meditation
Many mindfulness practices can be done through journaling or meditation. There are many apps and videos available that have guided meditations and mindfulness practices that you can try. Becoming more focused on your stressors and how you react to them is the first step in mitigating stress in the workplace and working through it in a healthy way.
You can also practice mindfulness by taking a moment of time for yourself at the workplace. This can be sitting at your desk for two minutes before opening your computer. This allows you time to get centered and focus for the day. Another time to do this would be while washing your hands or between seeing patients.
These small moments can be used to check in with yourself, evaluate how you are feeling, and how you can proceed with your work day. Instead of stewing in stress, addressing it even for a moment can be helpful.
Talk to Your Peers
A great way to lessen stress in the workplace is to talk with your peers. Many of your colleagues may be feeling the same stressors that you are. Having a minute to talk through them can help mitigate your own stress and build camaraderie with others. If you don’t want to speak with your peers about your stress, try to lean on your support system. Your friends and family are there for you if you need to vent about work from time to time.
If you don’t want to speak to peers or your personal friends, there are many support groups for medical professionals. These groups are places where you can speak your mind and hear about what others are feeling in your field.
Conclusion
Working in the medical field can be stressful, but you shouldn’t have to deal with your stress alone. Whether you talk to friends, find a new hobby, or join a support group, there are many strategies that can help you mindfully deal with stress in the medical field.
