Of course it is all about the patient. That is why we work in this field. To care for and nourish the medical and emotional needs of our patients. Well yes and No! One of frustrating elements about working in healthcare is that once you are done giving your heart out to one patient (as we know some patients act like they would like to actually to do that to us for no apparent reason) there is another one down the hall or in the next room that need us too. The work is incredibly demanding at times and there never seems to be enough of us to go around.
Well I am here to tell you if you don't take time out to nourish yourself physically and emotionally you wont last long in this business. Sometimes our coworkers and employers act like we are being selfish when we dare to say "NO" or "Give me a minute to take a break and relax for a few." There are very few jobs where you are required to give of yourself the whole time you are at work. It is unrealistic and unhealthy to have to work under these conditions day after day.
So the next time you start to feel that overwhelmed frustrated feeling, stop ask somebody to cover for you and take a 5-10 minute break to restore yourself. You will be more productive, feel better about your job and enjoy working with your patients more. Once you make it a habit and others see this they will want some of what you have. Explain to them what you have decided to do to maintain a better balance between your work and yourself. If they question your motives or commitment, move on as you do not owe them an explanation for starting to practice what you preach to your patients and their families.
I also think the more any of us laugh in a day the better off we will all be. Tell a joke or two. Write them down if you cant remember them and bring them to work. Then take the ones you hear at work and take them home to your family. Your family will start wondering what has happened to you! You are making them laugh instead of telling them how stressful your day was! Have you ever noticed that when you rehash a stressful day or event to someone it usually just makes you feel worse by reliving it again!
The other most important things to do to balance your life and your health is to eat better even if that just means cutting out as much sugar as you can to start with. You know the drill from here but how often do you really follow it? Last, but not least is to exercise more. I am not only talking about the obvious forms like biking, jogging or going to the gym!!! Just walk whenever you can. Park your car as far from the door at work and when you shop as possible as long as you are in a safe place and its well lite. Always carry a whistle or some form of personal protection male or female!
Get the map of all the walking and biking trails in your city or county or the surrounding area, grab the kids or your significant other and the camera and go now!!!! Quit making excuses why you don't have enough time. Buy a small pocketsize book on birds or trees and start looking at nature closer. I will sooth your soul and remind you how dependent we all are on each other.
Till Tomorrow.
joke for the day: What is a Grizzly Bear with no teeth called?
( a gummy bear!)
<p><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net">Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p>
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