As a Florin medical professional, it’s your job to care for people. But when you spend so much time caring for others, sometimes you forget to care for yourself. In fact, medical professionals tend to have one of the highest rates of burnout due to the intensity of the work as well as the emotional bonds formed with patients and their families. So how do you know if you’re suffering from burnout?

Warning Signs

  • Job dissatisfaction. Where you used to love your job, now you start dreading going to work. You’re no longer excited or inspired and have no interest in continuing the learning process and advancing your career.
  • Health problems. You’re suffering from one or more of the following health issues: insomnia, depression, nausea and vomiting, addiction, an overall feeling of being drained or tired, and/or changes in appetite.
  • Irritability and anger. With staffing shortfalls and the expectation to constantly “do more with less,” some irritability is inevitable. But yours has taken on new heights. Even the smallest inconvenience causes you to snap at co-workers or for your blood pressure to rise sharply.
  • Apathy. You’ve developed a general sense of apathy towards your work. In a sense, you’ve surrendered and simply do the minimum to get by. While things don’t upset or anger you anymore, you also aren’t stimulated by your work either.

Overcome Burnout and Create a Healthier Lifestyle

So now that you know some of the burnout signs to look out for, how can you move forward and create a healthier work life balance? Here are some tips:

  • Eat well and exercise. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, and meditate.
  • Talk to others. Don’t bottle up your unhappiness. Talk to a friend, colleague, or therapist about what you’re experiencing.
  • Learn to say no. Don’t overextend yourself. Learn how to set boundaries.
  • Schedule regular social activities. Make time for your spouse, friends and family. Go to the movies or out to dinner once a week to unwind.
  • Get a hobby. Whether it’s resuming an old hobby or trying something new, pursuing a pastime that inspires you is a powerful antidote to burnout.
  • Implement coping strategies. Implement coping strategies in your daily routine. For instance, when you feel yourself getting overly stressed, stop and take some deep breaths.

If you’ve applied these steps and you’re still experiencing burnout, it may be time for a new job. If that’s the case, we can help. As a medical employment agency in Florin, we will work one-on-one with you to learn about your background, skills and interests. We can then match you with a position that’s a terrific fit for you – one in which you’ll feel motivated and engaged. Contact us today to learn more.