Being a career physician means committing yourself to a career full of ups and downs. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, though if there is one constant, it will always be a fulfilling career. However, many physicians often end up having issues with their schedule, the hectic nature of the career causing stress and anxiety across the board.
No matter how many years of experience, it’s always best to keep up a routine regarding work-life balance. Here are some of the most common mistakes of the career physician and what you can do to avoid and turn the issues around.
Not taking the time to catch up with family and friends
One of the easiest things to neglect for a physician, other than sleep, would be family and friends. It’s easy to get so caught up in things that you’re too tired to contact anyone. Even if you do miss them, you keep postponing things due to your work. Eventually, it could get to the point where you feel guilty about never catching up, which further increases stress and has you actively avoiding family and friends.
Fortunately, the easy way to deal with such an issue is to take the opportunity to call and catch up with loved ones. It’s easier than ever before with video calls, allowing you to connect with your family and friends no matter where you are. There’s no reason to forcefully drift apart with loved ones due to an exhausting schedule.
Not considering alternatives to the physician’s career
It might seem odd that there would even be alternatives, but there are some surprising ways to breathe new life into a physician’s career. The best example would be getting the help of locum tenens companies and transforming your career by taking assignments. The idea is to fill in for the role of other physicians in the medical facility of your choice.
If you want a higher-paying job, you can go for locum tenens in remote locations, which could be an exciting change of pace. It’s especially beneficial for those that still have student loans they are paying off.
Not taking the opportunity to enjoy your free time
In most cases, physicians are often so exhausted by their schedules that they end up not wanting to do anything, even if they have some time to kill before heading to bed. While it’s perfectly fine to get some rest, most people are fine sitting idle and watching random videos until it’s time to go to bed. Taking the time to do the things you want can be surprisingly challenging when you’re already tired, but if you can force yourself to try to have fun, it can feel less stressful overall. It will make you feel like you have more control overall.
The solutions for the mistakes above are surprisingly simple, and it can help most career physicians make the most out of their opportunities. With a bit of hard work and consistency, you can develop a better routine overall.