How to Manage Stress and Burnout as a Doctor: Techniques and Tips

2 min readJan 26, 2023

🏥 Being a doctor is no easy feat. Between long hours, high stakes, and constant pressure, it’s no wonder that doctors are at a higher risk of experiencing stress and burnout. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In this post, we’ll explore some practical techniques and tips for managing stress and preventing burnout as a doctor.

Recognizing the signs of stress and burnout

As a doctor, it’s important to be able to recognize the signs of stress and burnout in yourself and your colleagues. Some common symptoms include:

Exhaustion💤
Emotional detachment🤯
Loss of motivation🧠
Increased irritability😠
Difficulty concentrating🤔

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to take action to address them before they spiral out of control.

Making time for self-care

Making time for self-care is one of the most crucial things you can do to avoid burnout. Activities like exercise, meditation, or reading may fall within this category. Finding something that works for you is crucial, though. Here are some suggestions to get you going:

Take a yoga class🧘‍♀️
Go for a run🏃‍♂️
Read a book📚
Listen to music🎵

Setting boundaries

Another important step in preventing burnout is setting boundaries. This might include setting limits on your workload, learning to say no to non-essential tasks, or taking regular breaks throughout the day.🚪

Best books on the topic

1️⃣ “The Doctor’s Guide to Burnout Prevention and Recovery” by Dr. Michael Myers

2️⃣ “The Resilient Physician” by Dr. Sharon Lang

3️⃣ “The Mindful Doctor” by Dr. Michael F. Myers

4️⃣ “The Burnout Cure” by Dr. Christina Maslach

5️⃣ “The Emotional Survival Guide for Physicians” by Dr. Charles Figley

Conclusion

Managing stress and preventing burnout as a doctor is no small task, but by recognizing the signs of stress, making time for self-care, setting boundaries, and reading up on the best books on the topic, you can take control of your well-being and ensure you’re able to provide the best care possible to your patients. 💬 Make sure to schedule a time for self-care into your routine, and pick up one of the above books and start reading today!

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi