Why should I care?
Many say that fatigue is just a part of life as a medical student. So when I was feeling emotionally, physically, and mentally drained as a second year, I didn't think much of it. However, it quickly caught up with me. I was no longer feeling like myself anymore. As the workload began to overwhelm me, I would often spend more than 12 hours sitting at my desk alone trying to learn everything. Then, I would go to sleep exhausted and wake up to start the cycle all over again. It's important to remember that even medical students, residents, and physicians are human. Don't hold yourself to the expectations of a machine. When we don't take care of ourselves, we can't perform well and we aren't happy. Therefore, it becomes important to learn the right mechanisms to cope with (and more importantly, prevent) the fatigue we experience.
Action Items for Healthcare Professionals:
People talk about work-life balance all of the time. My thought on this concept is very simple: I give 100% at work and therefore, I give 100% in my life. And vice versa. The two are too deeply interconnected to separate and it is not fair for one to take over the other. It is important for me to take care of myself in order for me to be the best possible physician for my patients. Similarly, it is imperative for me to give my all in my profession because medicine challenges me, pushes me to be a better person, and rejuvenates my spirit. Let me leave you with this: consider fatigue a blessing. I know that I am lucky to have found so many things that I am passionate about. With some healthy coping strategies and prevention measures in place to help me manage this exciting new life of mine, I'm happier than ever.
Many say that fatigue is just a part of life as a medical student. So when I was feeling emotionally, physically, and mentally drained as a second year, I didn't think much of it. However, it quickly caught up with me. I was no longer feeling like myself anymore. As the workload began to overwhelm me, I would often spend more than 12 hours sitting at my desk alone trying to learn everything. Then, I would go to sleep exhausted and wake up to start the cycle all over again. It's important to remember that even medical students, residents, and physicians are human. Don't hold yourself to the expectations of a machine. When we don't take care of ourselves, we can't perform well and we aren't happy. Therefore, it becomes important to learn the right mechanisms to cope with (and more importantly, prevent) the fatigue we experience.
Action Items for Healthcare Professionals:
- Prioritize your health. If I could go back and do something differently in medical school, I wouldn't choose to study more or study a certain way. Those are all hurdles that I would have experienced regardless of how well I tried to "prepare" myself. I should have maintained a good sleep and exercise schedule from the beginning. During my first two years, I slept and worked out sporadically. Additionally, I ate whatever was convenient to me and probably didn't drink as much water as I should have. At the time, I thought I was making small sacrifices in order to reach my dreams. The truth could not have been further. Nothing is virtuous about eating terrible food and barely sleeping. Don't be a hero. Take care of your body.
- Do the things you love. We've all taken an impossible test. The question is - what did you do right after? More times than not, I went home and went straight to sleep because I probably didn't get much sleep the night before (see first bullet point). But on days where I wasn't sleep deprived, I struggled with the few grueling hours after a bad test. Most of my friends wanted to drown their sorrows in alcohol or sit together to scrutinize every question. Neither of these options sounded appealing to me. The happiest I ever was after a test was when my mother came to visit me. She had an argument with my father right before coming, so to cheer her up I took her to one of those step-by-step painting classes. Then, we had a delicious Mexican meal afterwards. I remember it was the first hot, satisfying meal I had in weeks. I love my mom. I love painting. I love queso. It was exactly what I needed. Looking back, I wish I spent a little more time doing the things I enjoy - a new art project, playing tennis, talking to my sister. When life gets so chaotic that you don't recognize yourself, it's the perfect time to do the things that make you feel like your true self again. Sometimes that means going out and enjoying a few drinks, sometimes it means hanging out with people who are going through the same thing as you, and sometimes it means having Tex-Mex with your mom.
- Pray and/or meditate. Different things work for different people, so I can't say there is one right way - but it's important find a healthy way to relax and reflect. This alone time gives us a positive mindset, allows us to put things in perspective, and set realistic expectations for ourselves. The demands required of us require us to think about so much that we forget to contemplate the important things. For some, engaging in their religion is a powerful way to do this. For others, meditation works. Personally, I alternate between prayer and spiritual meditation, depending on how I feel. I don't think the two are dissimilar. Another thing I do is keep a gratitude journal, where I write down three things I'm thankful for each day. Regardless of how you do it, put aside your Netter's and coffee-stained flash cards for a second every now and then to experience life at its most elemental level.
People talk about work-life balance all of the time. My thought on this concept is very simple: I give 100% at work and therefore, I give 100% in my life. And vice versa. The two are too deeply interconnected to separate and it is not fair for one to take over the other. It is important for me to take care of myself in order for me to be the best possible physician for my patients. Similarly, it is imperative for me to give my all in my profession because medicine challenges me, pushes me to be a better person, and rejuvenates my spirit. Let me leave you with this: consider fatigue a blessing. I know that I am lucky to have found so many things that I am passionate about. With some healthy coping strategies and prevention measures in place to help me manage this exciting new life of mine, I'm happier than ever.