Working in the medical field is notoriously demanding, especially if you run your own healing and wellness clinic. Because of the long hours and heavy workload, the burnout rate among those in private practice is incredibly high. If you’re wondering how to find a good work/life balance so both patients and loved ones will get the best of you, here are a few strategies for getting started. 

3 Tips for Preventing Burnout as a Medical Professional 

1. Disconnect From the Office

Unless you’re on call, make it a point to disconnect as soon as you get home. Different healing and wellness providers have different obligations when it comes to remaining accessible, so determine how you can best disconnect without providing undue difficulty for your patients. For example, if you still have to check your email when off the clock, do so at designated intervals instead of responding to every message as it comes in. This alone could have a hugely positive impact on your work/life balance. 

2. Look Forward to Something 

Is there currently something on the calendar that you’re looking forward to? While planning a family vacation is certainly an effective way to prevent burnout, something as simple as grabbing dinner with friends can improve your mental health immensely when you’re feeling overwhelmed with work. At least once a week, try to schedule some kind of outing or event that you’re genuinely excited to attend with one or more loved ones. Over time, even small investments in personal relationships can pay off in a big way. 

3. Practicing Saying “No”

Healing and wellness providers are used to taking care of everyone around them. There’s a reason why airline safety videos tell passengers to secure their own oxygen masks before assisting others, though. If you don’t take care of yourself first, you won’t be able to help anyone else. Practice declining requests that are not legitimate obligations. And remember: “No” is a complete sentence. You don’t necessarily have to provide a reason for skipping out on something you simply don’t have time for. 

For help establishing a better work/life balance, turn to Metro Collaborative™. Located in New York, NY, this health care networking group connects providers with their peers. Through their programs, which include leadership retreats and business coaching services, you can meet others who have devised effective strategies for handling the many demands of your field. To learn more about the upcoming events they’re hosting for healing and wellness providers just like you, visit their website or call (609) 876-9163.