Healthcare workers have had a difficult year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been harder than ever before to be a doctor, nurse or support staff on the front lines. All of the stress can take a toll on one’s work-life balance, but it is important to focus on your life outside of work as well. Most people have families that they want to spend more time with, and it can be difficult to find enough hours in the day. Consider these tips for increasing your work-life balance to live a happier and more fulfilled life.
Work From Home When Possible
With remote patient monitoring, more doctors and nurses are able to work from home than ever before. Telehealth visits are becoming increasingly popular. If you see patients whose issues can be addressed over a video chat, consider transitioning some of your work to a virtual setting. The facility that you work for might even let you do some of this work at home. It is important that you appear professional at all times when doing this work, though. You will want to dress the part so that your patients will have confidence in your skill. No showing up in sweatpants to these meetings!
Take Scheduled Vacations
Everyone needs a break sometimes, and it is no different for healthcare workers. If you feel that the load is getting to be too much for you, take some time off work. You do not have to travel anywhere to have a vacation. You can simply spend some time at home recharging and relaxing. It will put you in a better frame of mind to do your work when you return, and it can make you a better worker overall. If you still need to keep an eye on work, you might be able to use a remote patient monitoring platform.
Leave Work at Work
When you are dealing with stressful situations at work, it can be easy to let that stress come home with you. However, this is not good for your mental health, and your stress levels will be way too high. You should focus on leaving work problems in the clinic, and pick them up when you come in the next day. Use your time at home to enjoy your family or doing things that bring you joy.
There are times that being a part of the healthcare industry is not easy. If you feel disheartened and burnt out, just remember that your work does matter and that you are essential to all the people that you help.