Working in the medical field certainly has its benefits, but there’s no denying that it is also one of the most stressful careers out there. Limited time with your family, hectic days (especially during high volume season), colleagues that can be difficult to work with and even the feeling that you’re not rewarded enough can easily cause depression from job burnout.
To make matters worse, feeling bad at work can lead to worse situations since the lack of focus due to low morale can have a negative effect on your work performance. This in turn can get you in trouble if you happen to slip up during a critical operation or procedure.
However, this shouldn’t have to happen to you or any other people working in the field. If you’re feeling down or you’re thinking about giving up, keeping the following things in mind could be more than enough to manage tough times as a medical professional.
- Identify the cause
With so many possible causes of job burnout, the first thing you need to do is to pinpoint what’s getting you down in the first place. This can help you take the right approach to getting a second wind without having to go through a trial and error process which may further tire you out.
- Know Your Options
Don’t let problems stretch out longer than they should. Your direct superior can help you sort out possible options and hopefully offer something that can alleviate the issue. For example, if you think poor work-life balance is getting in the way, you may consider requesting for a more flexible schedule or at least a shift adjustment. In some cases, you can even have to ask for options such as therapy, or in case of a lack of qualifications for a career growth, further training and workshops for certification.
- Evaluate Yourself
Perform a self-assessment and determine your own qualifications, your personal performance, current lifestyle, core values and work attitude. This can also be a great way to check if you’re still on the right career path or if there are other alternative jobs in the field (or outside) that would suit you better.
- Stay Healthy
Depression from burnout can also be caused by poor health in general. Busy days at work can keep you from working out or eating proper meals for days on end. Engaging in rigorous physical activity such as jogging a few miles a day and changing your diet can reinvigorate your body and may also bring your spirits up.
- Rest
Lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your biological clock and cause as much disruption as any other factor. Sleepless nights can cause fatigue and put a different kind on stress on your body – the kind that makes you less tolerant of things that you can normally put up with at work.
- Stay Positive
Never underestimate the power of positivity. A lot of people who got through the toughest times in their life persevered by maintaining a positive outlook. Focus on the good things in your workplace and find people that can provide moral support. Having someone listen to your problems can go a long way in reminding yourself that you are not alone and people are there to help you.
Depression from job burnout can singlehandedly keep you from having a fulfilling career. By learning how to manage it, you can regain control of your life and have a happier, more fulfilling career.
