What are some effective ways for physicians to prioritize their well-being?

1 Identify your stressors

One of the first steps to prioritize your well-being is to identify what causes you stress and how it affects you. Stress can manifest in different ways, such as physical symptoms, emotional reactions, behavioral changes, or cognitive impairments. By recognizing your stressors and their impact, you can develop a plan to address them and reduce their negative effects. You can use tools like a stress diary, a self-assessment questionnaire, or a professional consultation to help you identify your stressors and their severity.

3 Cultivate positive relationships

A third way to prioritize your well-being is to cultivate positive relationships with your colleagues, family, friends, and mentors. Positive relationships can provide you with support, feedback, empathy, and validation. They can also help you cope with stress, share your experiences, learn from others, and have fun. You can cultivate positive relationships by reaching out to people you trust, joining a peer support group, participating in social activities, expressing appreciation, and seeking professional guidance if needed.

4 Engage in self-care activities

A fourth way to prioritize your well-being is to engage in self-care activities that nourish your body, mind, and spirit. Self-care activities are the actions you take to maintain or improve your health and well-being. They can include physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects. Some examples of self-care activities are exercising, eating well, sleeping enough, meditating, reading, journaling, hobbies, volunteering, and spirituality. You can engage in self-care activities by making them a habit, finding what works for you, and being flexible and compassionate with yourself.

5 Seek help when necessary

A fifth way to prioritize your well-being is to seek help when necessary. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and courage. It means that you recognize when you need assistance and are willing to take action to improve your situation. Seeking help can prevent your problems from worsening, provide you with relief and solutions, and enhance your resilience and recovery. You can seek help from various sources, such as your primary care provider, a mental health professional, a counselor, a coach, or a hotline.

6 Keep learning and growing

A sixth way to prioritize your well-being is to keep learning and growing as a physician and as a person. Learning and growing can help you expand your knowledge, skills, and perspectives. They can also help you overcome challenges, adapt to changes, and achieve your goals. Learning and growing can foster your curiosity, creativity, and confidence. You can keep learning and growing by pursuing continuing education, attending workshops, reading books, listening to podcasts, taking courses, or mentoring others.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?