As I write this, it is mid-August. Many of us are squeezing in a last bit of vacation before facing the rush of back to school activities. We’ve hopefully had a chance to relax a bit, catch up with our family and friends, engage in favorite activities…maybe the beach, maybe some time in the mountains or an exciting trip overseas. Maybe some of us were even able to detach from our electronic tethers! (If so, you are a better person than me!).
So, for this blog entry, my thoughts turn to wellness. As a physician who is involved in medical education, this is a big concern of mine. The statistics are stark: 45% of physicians are currently experiencing ‘burnout,’ defined by an extreme sense of exhaustion and detachment in their work. Rates of depression and anxiety are higher in physicians than in age-matched peers, and worst of all: one doctor commits suicide in the United States every day – the highest suicide rate in any profession.
The issue of burnout is not unique to the medical profession, however. So many of us are overcommitted, overtasked. We all have so many balls in the air. How do we manage it all? And how do we recognize if we are experiencing burnout? In the article, “Managing Yourself, Beating Burnout,” (Harvard Business Review, November, 2016) Monique Valquor helps us to recognize when we may be suffering from burnout, and outlines several steps to prevent it. Prioritizing self-care…making time for sleep, exercise, and enjoying family and friends is critical. I love nature, so getting away from my desk and going for a quick 15 minute walk on the grounds of the building where I work (we are blessed with a natural setting even though we are in the city) quickly replenishes me. On off hours, I try to put thoughts of work stressors behind me and focus on all of the things that I enjoy.
That all sounds great, but what if your workload is just so overwhelming it leaves no time for such things? Asking yourself which tasks you can free up or delegate for more important work is critical. One thing I like to recommend is to make a list of everything you have committed to. (Keep personal and professional commitments on separate lists). Rank them in order of importance. Once completed, look at the bottom 10%. These are the ones to jettison. Many of us have a tough time saying “no” to “opportunities.” But I would suggest that these things at the bottom, which are not advancing our professional work or personal agendas in meaningful ways need to go!
Reducing your exposure to stress on the job is also important. You may need to reset expectations of colleagues and clients. If you are the boss, role modeling life-work balance is so important to creating a healthier workplace. If you are working until 9 pm, and sending emails in the middle of the night, it’s not good for you, and it’s also not healthy for your employees who will feel obligated to keep up with emails at all times. Some companies have set rules against emails during off hours. Consider whether this would work for you and your organization. A radical idea, perhaps, but burnout will inevitably produce a less productive and effective workforce.
As the change of seasons comes, I hope this finds you well and looking after your most important resource, yourself!
