Life as a resident physician is hectic. Whether you’re working 80+ hours a week, performing CPR, or standing in the operating room for 12+ hours a day, the work can be challenging and downright exhausting. I’m five months into my psychiatry residency training program, but sometimes it feels like years have passed. Personally, I find that in order for me to be the most productive version of myself every day, I have to take time to recharge.
You might not be in residency, but I’m sure you can relate to the draining nature of a demanding job or graduate school program. The hustle and bustle of the modern-day work-life often leave little room for rest and relaxation. However, research shows that it is essential to take time to recharge, otherwise you put yourself at risk of burning out.
I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered work-life balance, yet. But I definitely feel as though I’ve taken steps to get me close to that goal. To do so, I’ve used some of the following strategies to take time to recharge. Prioritizing rest and relaxation allows me to be more productive every day – in my professional and personal lives.
PRIORITIZING “ME TIME”
One of the central parts of taking time to recharge is making time to prioritize yourself. Putting yourself first will come in many forms, depending on the type of person you are. For introverts, “me time” quite literally will involve you spending time alone. You might soak in a bath, enjoy scented candles, or read your favorite book to recharge. Extroverts might find their “me time” best spent in the company of loved ones because they are recharged by social interactions. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, taking time to prioritize yourself is healthy and will help you to be more productive every day.
Personally, as a social introvert, my prioritization of “me time” comes as a mix of the two above recharging strategies. When I feel as though my work has required me to interact a lot with co-workers and patients, I recharge by spending time alone. This alone time often comes in the form of writing posts for my blog, taking a walk around my neighborhood, or going to the gym. However, when my work is more siloed and isolating, I recharge by spending time with friends, either with a night out dancing or over a good meal.
Whatever your version of “me time,” it’s important to pay attention to the activities that renew you. Once you hone in on those, make sure to make time for them weekly, if not daily!
MAKE TIME FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER
There’s a popular saying “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” In the rat race of life, it’s easy to put your head down and grind at the task at hand. However, if you stick with this strategy for too long, over time you’ll look up and realize that you’ve lost friends and supporters along the way. So, in order to maintain healthy relationships in the midst of chasing after your goals, remember to actively make time for the people who matter. In the long run, these are the people who will continue to cheer you on as you reach for greater levels of success. Knowing you are supported and valued by friends and family has been shown to be linked to future success. There’s something incredibly special and rejuvenating about spending time with people who want to see you succeed!
LEARN WHEN TO SAY NO
Want to be more productive and have time to recharge? Learn to say NO.
The word no can be a challenging word to get comfortable with. No is often associated with passing up on an opportunity. No can also connote being difficult to work with or noncollaborative. It’s important to remember, however, that not all opportunities are for you. In the effort to recharge to maintain productivity in your personal and professional life, you must filter through the opportunities that come your way.
I’ve discovered a great litmus test to use when deciding whether or not to pursue an opportunity. I ask myself the following questions:
- Is this opportunity in line with my goals?
- Does this opportunity supplement or distract me from my current work?
- Will this opportunity connect me with people who can help me achieve my goals?
- Is it feasible for me to complete this task to the best of my abilities, given my existing responsibilities?
If the answer is positive for two or more of the above questions, that’s a great signal to me that I need to say yes instead of no. However, if the answers to my litmus test questions are negative, that’s a sign that the opportunity I’m presented with will likely be counterproductive to my ongoing work.
SUMMARY
Over the years I’ve learned that prioritizing “me time,” making time for the people who matter and learning to say no have all helped me to recharge in life and be more productive every day. I hope that these tips are helpful for you as you find ways to recharge on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are some of your favorite ways to recharge? Are they different than or similar to my own?
Dr. Atasha Jordan is an Ivy League-trained psychiatry resident and businesswoman. Read Dr. Jordan’s inspiring story of discovering her passion and purpose as a mental healthcare provider and advocate. Feel free to send a message to Dr. Jordan here.
Photo credit: Harold Milton-Gorvie @afrotheman
