By Dr Christolyn Raj
Here are four habits that can help maintain your mental and physical wellbeing. I recommend considering and planning these at the start of every rotation, then revisiting them like a checklist when you feel the need.
1. Keep up your hobbies
There is no sugar coating it, a career in medicine takes up most our time. It can be difficult to fit anything else into our daily routines, but it really is worth trying. Pick the hobby you’re most passionate about – perhaps it’s a sport, an art or craft or a (non-medical!) special interest group – and make a commitment to continue it in whatever way you can throughout the year. A regular schedule will help you to keep it going and do wonders for your work-life balance and mental health and wellbeing.
2. Keep the communication lines open
Building a social network around yourself is important in healthcare environments, especially as an intern, when you are rotating through different specialities, departments and teams. As a first step, try to get to know the other JMOs around you and catch up with them at least monthly – more often if you can. If it is too difficult to find a time to meet face-to-face, chat over the phone or online. It can be useful to have an hour where you can let your guard down, have a conversation with a peer/new friend, and offer support and be supported.
3. Ask for support when you need it
The journey of knowledge in this career never ends. In fact, looking back on my own career I feel I have just as many questions as a consultant as I did as a JMO! And that’s a good thing. It means we are inquisitive, enjoy what we’re doing and are committed to doing and being our best for our patients. From time to time, you will very likely want or need some external advice or a listening ear. If there are times your feel overwhelmed or experience challenges in your work environment or just want to talk it out, there are multiple peer support avenues you have available to you. I recommend these free and confidential services:
AMAVic's Peer Support Service: A confidential service run by AMA Victoria members keen to support doctors experiencing career challenges or life stress.
Hand-n-Hand peer support: A free, confidential peer support network led by health professionals with lived experience of mental health challenges.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Your hospital employer should also have an EAP that you can access counselling and support services through.
4. Make some me time
As doctors the care we provide to our patients is always at the forefront of our minds. But remember, we can only provide quality expert care if we are feeling good emotionally in ourselves. It is important to take some time each week to spend time recharging your own batteries – and it’s easier than you think. Have a morning weekend coffee by the beach or under a tree in a park, enjoy an afterwork drink at sunset, binge a few episodes of your favourite TV show or take a long bath. You deserve it.
Dr Christolyn Raj is an ophthalmic surgeon, an honorary clinical lecturer and examiner at the Melbourne Medical School at the University of Melbourne and a clinical tutor and examiner for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.
