There are many reasons for feeling burnt out this time of year: it’s halfway through the year with what seems like forever to go, there's the never-ending darkness of winter, or you may just feel like you’re not making a difference for your patients. The times I feel the most burnt out are during inpatient months, primarily due to the lack of time it seems like I have at home. For years, I struggled with managing stress and burnout. I know it sounds crazy, but those wellness modules were not helpful. So, to help you all out, here are some things I do to help myself to not feel burnt out during call blocks.
Making time for myself every day. This could be listening to some music that’s been on my mind during my drive, taking five minutes before bed to moisturize, making tea before bed, or chatting with my family after a long day at work. Honestly, it doesn’t need to be a ton of time. Five minutes before bed can work for a hectic call month (or multiple hectic call months in a row).
Making easy but nutritious meals/meal prepping during my non-call blocks. Some of my favorite meals are things like spaghetti or stir fry that are super quick. I also love black bean tacos, since I only have to put them in the microwave. It helps during call blocks to have something healthy and filling to eat after a long day at work, and truly makes a huge impact on my mood. I am also a big fan of oatmeal or overnight oats during call blocks because they keep me full for longer periods, especially when I don’t know when I’ll be able to eat next.
Continuing to move. I try to get in some movement each day, whether that means parking a bit further from the doors, taking the longer way to lunch, taking the stairs, or just getting up to walk around the hospital during the day. Some days, when I have more energy, I may go for a true workout, like yoga, weightlifting, or aerobics on my Peloton app (not sponsored).
Create boundaries for yourself. I was terrible at this intern year (and PGY-2 if I’m honest). Make it a hard rule for yourself to not look at your EMR or chart-stalk any patients once you get home. Do not respond to chats. You can forward those to the person who took over for you or your senior.
Ask for help if you’re struggling. Know you’re not alone. Your seniors have been there, and it’s likely that some, if not all, of your faculty have as well. Lean on your coresidents, advisors, and faculty for support. They all want you to succeed.
Going to conferences is obviously not possible during call blocks, but going to in-person conferences has been a great way to get myself out of a funk in residency. It’s nice to meet other residents in your specialty or reconnect with medical school friends. It’s also nice to network with other physicians and gain some knowledge on updates in medical literature.
Above all else, remember that what you’re feeling is normal, and you are not alone.
