Doctors Day 2021: Mantras for Doctors to Stay Mentally Fit. Time for oneself is necessary to keep mental health in the proper state of mind.
Not many would wish to visit hospitals on daily basis. To witness pain, suffering and misery would not be their cup of tea. However, a few chosen individuals commit their lives to serve at hospitals their entire lifetime: doctors. As much as they seem to be on par with the divine healer, they too are humans who need rest, mental relaxation, and motivation to carry forward the life of dedication and service.
The life of a doctor during the pandemic has been on a roller-coaster ride. The death and the dying, cries and miseries down and out are a few situations that a doctor needs to cope with. Time for oneself is necessary to keep mental health in the proper state of mind.
Here are a few tips for doctors to enhance their mental health.
- Let go: It is so difficult to contain to oneself the work pressure and the and stress. Acknowledging the most difficult thing you witnessed at work, and letting it go will help the mind to accept the realities of life. Letting go is one of the key exercises towards blissful living.
- Being grateful: It’s a good practice to identify the persons who made you feel good. The next step would be to stay grateful to them for the feeling they created in you.
- Spend time with family: They are the best boosters of life. Investing quality time with the family members, being part of the child’s routine when you are off, experiment with cooking/gardening with your spouse, and sharing a coffee/tea with your parents on regular basis are a few moments of peace in a family setting.
- Differentiate work and personal life: It is a good practice to boundary work and personal life. Discussing work-related issues during a family get-together may not be the best thing to do.
- Being sensitive at the workplace: Showing concern is something that everyone would love to receive. A word of care and affection towards your colleagues before you leave your clinic or hospital is very encouraging.
- Accompany emotions: Getting connected with fellow employees at an emotional level and staying non-judgmental is one of the best practices to win over hearts. This will make you a good listener and a humane person,
- Mental Exercises: Practicing regular yoga and other mental enhancers will be an added booster.
- Daily examination: Reliving the day before you retire for the night and relishing any three things that went that day will give you a sense of satisfaction and joy of commitment.
- Anchor your happiness: Finding the core value/belief which drives you to work and reiterate every day will set an anchor for happiness.
- Don’t forget to take care of yourself: As much as the doctor cares for the others s/he must as well invest in their health with healthy eating, hydration, and good sleep.
Doctors are divine healers. Taking care of personal mental health will make one more efficient at work and consequently spread good vibes of happiness around.
Dr Venkatesh Babu
Consultant – Psychiatrist
Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore
