Self-Care Practices for the Medical Professional

At work, your priority is to help those in need of medical attention. But on your days off, your priority should be you. Practicing self-care nurtures the mind, body, and soul and is essential to living a happy and fulfilling life. 

Every medical professional has their own way of coping with stress that arises from the workplace or life in general. If you’re beginning to create a self-care routine and need inspiration, we want to remind you that there are various fun and rewarding ways to implement self-care into your life to alleviate the pressure. Keep reading for self-care practice tips that are great for healthcare providers. 

Healthy and Balanced Diet 

As a healthcare professional, you probably find yourself constantly on the go with limited time to prepare balanced meals every day. Meal prepping and snacks will become your best friends, if they haven’t already. Create one-pot meals and keep protein bars on hand in the event that you don’t have time to sit down for a meal. 

Consider investing in healthy snack options such as fruits and nuts, and stay away from sugary, processed foods to avoid feeling tired and sluggish. Remember, a healthy body is a happy body. 

Get a Good Night’s Rest 

Getting a good night’s sleep is just as important as maintaining a balanced diet. Not enough sleep one night can lead to headaches and agitation the next day. Ultimately, sleep can make a big difference in how alert you are throughout the day. 

Your field can be demanding, and can have unpredictable schedules. Whether you work day or night shifts, setting up a sleep routine before you slip under the covers is just as important as the sleep itself. Take a comforting shower, so you can sleep in as much as possible. Put tomorrow’s lunch bag in the fridge so you can grab it on the go. Before tucking yourself into bed, set aside tomorrow’s scrubs so that you’re ready to conquer the day. 

Take Care of Your Surroundings 

Taking care of your environment might be the last thing you consider self-care, but some say a clean space promotes productivity and harmony. 

Your living space is a sanctuary. It’s the first thing you wake up to and the one place that you want to go home to after your shift. Rearrange your furniture and declutter your space to feel more comfortable. Spruce up your bedroom with new wall art or light a new candle in your living room. When you’re able to find time in your busy schedule, perform a deep clean of your scrubs as well. These are a few tips that can be easily implemented into your self-care routine. 

Make Time for Anything or Nothing 

Making time for the things you enjoy is important and can improve mental health and overall mood. It’s important to remember the things that spark joy whether that be watching your favorite T.V. show, hiking, reading, or doing nothing. 

Find joy and fulfillment in doing nothing. This doesn’t sound like a good use of time, but trust us — it is. Taking time to do nothing can be a great way to prevent getting burnt out. On your workdays, you’re constantly thinking about your patients and helping others. Even on your days off, you might be doing the same thing. Set aside time to do the things you enjoy for yourself, even if it’s nothing. 

Your time off is yours. Don’t feel pressured to perform conventional hobbies, and spend your time the way you want to. 

Connect With Your Local Community 

Self-care does not have to be an isolating activity. Self-care can also mean spending time or socializing with loved ones, your communities, and local groups of your interest. Maybe you enjoy writing outside of work as a form of expression. Joining a local writer’s club can be a great way to connect with others with similar interests.  

Connecting with a community can also serve as a solid support system. Life isn’t always easy to navigate through, so having a support system to help you recover from stressful events is key to emotional and mental well-being. If your close friends and family cannot provide the support you need, try looking for a support group in your area or online. There’s likely to be an established group of medical professionals that strive to encourage and emotionally support one another. 

Conclusion 

Your mental health and well-being are priorities. Self-care is an investment in yourself and one that should be nurtured habitually. By enforcing some of these positive self-care habits into your daily routines, you set yourself up for a lifetime of success.  

At IguanaMed, we believe everyone should feel empowered in what they wear. We strive to deliver the highest quality scrubs, inspire the healthcare professionals we serve, and create a community to encourage and support one another. Visit our website to learn more about what makes us IguanaMed and why our collection is the right choice for medical professionals.