There are certain self-care strategies that can help physicians maintain well-being at all times. To operate at the level of the Best private GP in London, optimal personal well-being is essential. A physician needs to be in a good state of health – physically and mentally. Only then would they be in a position to provide the help their patients require in an optimum manner.
It is worth noting that the 7 self-care tips we are about to look at can also be helpful for the general population. Therefore even if you are not a physician, still you can benefit from these tips.
So, here are the 7 things related to self-care that physicians (and all people really) need to do:
1. Ensure that you exercise on a daily basis
There are many benefits associated with daily exercise, which every physician needs to be aware of.
For one, daily exercise can help in the prevention of a wide range of diseases.
Secondly, daily exercise can increase one’s energy levels. And that is important, especially considering the heavy workloads that physicians often have to deal with. You can’t operate at the level of the Best private GP in London if you are always feeling lethargic, due to lack of energy.
Thirdly, daily exercise can help in improving the functioning of the brain. That is because while one is exercising, blood flows into the brain better. With that improved blood flow into the brain also comes better oxygen flow into the brain. The end result then is greatly enhanced mental function. There is also the fact that exercising stimulates the production of certain hormones. Those hormones in turn improve the functioning of the brain. So, in a nutshell, there are so many ways in which exercising helps in the attainment of optimal brain function. And that optimal brain function is important, especially considering the amount of brainwork that a physician needs to do.
2. Stick to a healthy diet
Our bodies are essentially built from what we eat. This means that if we chronically feed on junk food, our bodies eventually turn into “junk”. Conversely, if we adhere to healthy eating on a long-term basis, our bodies tend to become healthy in turn.
Admittedly, physicians’ busy schedules can make shopping for and preparing healthy foods hard. Even a private GP in London with a more flexible schedule can still struggle in this area. However, there are strategies docs can use to ensure that they stick to healthy diets, in spite of the busy schedules. One such strategy is of buying healthy foods (like veggies and fruits) once a week, then freezing them. Another helpful strategy can be of batch cooking. Then there is the strategy of packing healthy food and carrying it to work. That is a better alternative to relying on food from vending machines. Thus even if you work in a busy Private GP London clinic, there are ways in which you can ensure that you don’t slip into surviving on junk food.
3. Maintain proper work-life balance
One thing you can do in this regard is ensure that you don’t carry your work home. Let home be a space for self rejuvenation. You can tell the folks at work not to be calling you when you are at home, except in cases of true emergencies. Otherwise if you allow the work-life boundary to be messed up with, you may soon start having some degree of mental deterioration. And that can really have a negative impact on your output as a physician.
4. Ensure that you get adequate sleep consistently
A physician needs to have proper mental clarity at all times. That is the only way they can be in a position to offer proper care to patients, and to make sound decisions. However, it is impossible to have such proper mental clarity if one is always sleep deprived.
What you need to do in practical terms is ensure that you prioritize your sleep times. Ensure that you don’t allow anything to make you cut back on your sleep. Further, try to minimize contact with electronic device screens 30 minutes before your scheduled sleep time. You can also try to read relaxing books before slipping into sleep.
Another thing that can be really helpful is sticking to a healthy diet: which really helps in attaining proper sleep. Minimizing or eliminating caffeine intake too can be helpful in promoting proper sleep. Quitting smoking is another thing that can help a great deal here.
5. Implement proper stress management strategies
Some level of stress is inevitable in the life of a physician. So your focus should be on managing stress effectively.
One strategy for managing stress effectively is of making use of relaxation techniques. You can opt for something like relaxing music or deep breathing exercises. Just ensure that you do it consistently.
Another good strategy for managing stress is that of meditating.
Yet another effective strategy for managing stress is that of praying.
What you just need is consistency. That is, for instance, setting aside 20-30 minutes on a daily basis for implementation of these techniques.
6. Set aside time for hobbies and recreational activities
In the absence of any hobbies or recreational activities, life can start feeling empty. So you fall into the “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” situation. And that can really affect your wellbeing. So it is very important for you to consciously identify hobbies and recreational activities you enjoy. Then you need to set aside time for them. This will help you in lowering stress hormone levels. It will also make your life feel less monotonous.
7. Forge good relationships with your family members
Absence of proper relationships with family is another thing that can bring about feelings of emptiness. Conversely, when you invest time and effort into fostering good family relationships, the rewards are huge. You tend to end up with better emotional health. Furthermore, with good family relationships, you tend to end up with less stress.
So the key thing is to ensure that the busy schedule you work with as a physician doesn’t eat too much into family time. Whatever it takes, you should ensure that you spend quality time with your family, and foster good relations.
Do you feel one or another need to procure the services of a private GP in London? Then our Private GP London clinic may be a good place to start.
