General surgeons do an incredibly important job. They help people in huge ways and, in some cases, even save lives. With that said, though, surgeons also have to deal with a lot of stress.
Their work is literally a matter of life and death, and they frequently work long hours. For this reason, it’s important that surgeons are able to separate their work life from their at-home life and to achieve balance and harmony. If you’re thinking about going into this exciting field or are already working in it, these tips can help you get to and maintain that all-important state of balance.
Why Does Work-Life Balance Matter?
Before diving into the ways to achieve a better work-life balance, it’s necessary to understand why this balance matters. With so many general surgeon jobs available, people may enter this field not realizing the intense emotional and psychological demands of the profession. However, medical professionals are encouraged to research the stress levels and emotional difficulties that are common in the profession. That way, they’ll know more about what to expect once they’re actually working as surgeons and how to combat it.
While being prepared for the stresses of a surgeon’s life is a great first step, maintaining a balance and distance between work life and home or social life is just as vital. Surgeons with a better work-life balance tend to enjoy their jobs more since they’re not focused on them 100% of the time. They may also be less likely to experience career burnout, which can enable them to work for longer and to do better work overall. Furthermore, they’re likely to be happier and more mentally healthy in general. In these ways and countless others, knowing how to maintain a work-life balance is extremely important.
Clearly Differentiate Your Work Life And Personal Life
Having clearly established boundaries between work life and personal life is essential for all employees in the medical field. In order to avoid burnout and other issues, you need to have times during which you do not focus on work. For example, you might choose a designated day or time during the week where you do not check your professional email or allow yourself to think about work. You can also set certain days, when possible, as designated “self-care” days or “family” days and only focus on your allocated personal activities during those days. Of course, you do have to understand and balance your work priorities and responsibilities with these boundaries, but if you can give yourself enough time for work and enough time for things outside of work, you’ll likely find that you’re much happier and healthier overall.
Take Small Breaks At Work
Even when you’re at work, there’s still room to practice your work-life balance. For instance, if you have a lunch break, fully take and enjoy that lunch break. Sit, eat, and relax for the full lunch period. Don’t constantly check your texts, unless required, or look at work-related materials.
Also, whenever possible, find ways to incorporate a little fun and freedom into your work day. Whether that’s listening to music while you do paperwork or joking with co-workers in the break room, the more lightness you can infuse into your stressful workday, the better. Be alert and attentive when you need to, but also recognize moments for downtime and focusing on yourself.
Achieving a good work-life balance can be difficult, particularly for surgeons. But, if you can establish clear boundaries, take breaks, and strive to live an enjoyable, healthy life outside of work, you can make it happen. Remember, you matter just as much as your patients, so don’t forget to take care of yourself as you go about the important business of improving and saving lives.
Published by HOLR Magazine