Doctors are trained to treat infections and diseases. But nowhere do they teach us to take better care of ourselves. Healing ourselves while working long hours and caring for the ill is crucial.
When you are a caregiver day in and day out, you know it takes its toll on your body. Imagine doing that every day for your professional life. Imagine doing that with critically ill people and children. Lack of self-care awareness needs to be addressed at the medical training itself. Super intelligent conscientious Doctors, make these mistakes about their own health.
Sleep debt
Overworking
Irregular meals
Missing own wellness practices
No nature connect
They don’t sleep enough
Sleep is the first sacrifice at the altar of medicine. Everything has a price and nothing is more serious than your health. But the long hours of studies, exams and sheer work pressure make sleep difficult and Doctors end up burning the candle at both ends.
Then comes your residency, when 24 /36 and even 48 hours on calls, become the norm. You are supposed to adjust and let your body suffer while trying to heal the ill. But Doctor, you must sleep at night at least eight hours for health. Plan your life so that you don’t continue to increase your sleep deficit because it’s never done.
They work too much
Oh well, anyone who is not hardworking, will unlikely choose medicine as a profession. Working hard is always part of the package. But it’s too much when your work makes your health become a lower priority. If you end up popping pills and fighting hypertension, Diabetes, and depression , that’s a red alert.
They never eat on time
I have no idea why this is okay for those who help others heal. We need to add a few things to medical school training again! Number one is, eating on time. Number two is planning your own meals, even when you are a busy professional. Eating on time means, you take better care of your body. You are also more empathetic and can take better care of your patients who need your help.
Of all the professionals fighting mental health challenges like depression, Doctors try more positive lifestyle measures. These include exercise, working out yoga and eating right to improve mental health. The need for writing practices for self- healing could be explored for professionals fighting stress at the workplace.
They stop nature connect
You, me and all living beings are a part of nature. As you become busy, you forget to explore more opportunities to spend free time amongst nature. You forget to connect with nature. You forget to have empty space just for sitting under a tree and staring at the sky.
The truth is, wellness and wellbeing are possible only if you stay close to nature. Humans are happiest in mother nature’s lap. If you are a healer, a Doctor, a healthcare professional caring for the sick, you need to heal yourself too. The healing starts now and must happen daily. Are you ready to take the first step?
Book a call with me at dramrita@healthwealthbridge to discuss how you can balance the work, life, and healing. You can also click the box below to subscribe to my newsletter.
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