This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Training in Medicine can be a long tough road. With the start of a new year I thought it would be good to address this important issue.
To start let me say that medicine is a field that demands from you intellectually, emotionally, ethically, spiritually, and physically. It is not unique to the field and I am certain that others can relate. Burnout can occur insidiously with such a career path. The wear and tear that occurs over the years can take you to a point where you are exhausted at your core. Surprisingly, it can sneak up on you and manifest itself in unexpected ways.
With burnout, you can feel that you are constantly working but never accomplishing anything. Your work efficiency and productivity can decline sharply. Your emotions can also become extremely labile, oscillating between happiness, frustration, and anger quickly. Your sleep and personal relationships may be affected as well.
Being a mom adds another layer to this burnout as well. Family can contribute to these feelings and you can develop reactive guilt for not living up to high societal expectations.
Starting from a place of burnout can affect any challenges that come your way, including life stressors and injuries or illnesses. Your body, mind, and spirit are already stressed and likely do not have the ability to mount as strong defenses against a threat.
This is why I believe wellness and balance are terribly important. Something I have been thinking about for the new year is trying to be consistent about meditating. I have done it occasionally over the years and I have always felt better after doing it; however, I have never consistently continued to do it. It is another New Year’s Resolution!
