Mental health matters every day, not just during awareness days or months. There has been an increase in burnout in many careers, with medicine being one of them. It's also the unfortunate truth that the suicide rate has gone up, especially since 2020, in many industries, including medicine.
Taking care of your mental health is essential for everyone, regardless of profession. It's important to recognize the hardships in our careers and take action to ensure we do all we can to be our best selves and care for ourselves.
Mental Health Matters
Support Your Emotional Well-Being
Here, I'll share five ways to support your emotional well-being. Although they may seem simple, simplicity is best when it comes to mental health.
Sleep. Sleep is essential for your mental health. Ensure you're getting enough sleep or have a set sleep schedule. Lack of sleep can lead to depression and heart disease. Set a regular bedtime and a regular wake-up time. It doesn't have to be a full eight hours, as long as you have a regular seven hours of sleep a night.
Recently, there have been several articles about young professionals in the investment banking field working over 100 hours per week. This increased work schedule in this group of young professionals has shown to have higher amounts of depression, suicide, and even heart attacks. It is why sleep is so vital for your mental and physical health.
Get outside. Get outside and connect with nature for at least fifteen minutes a day. Connecting with nature and being outside can help immensely with your emotional well-being. It may come as a surprise, but the air outside is actually cleaner than the air inside.
Exercise. Exercise is one of the best medicines for your mental well-being. I'll be the first to admit that my profession often neglects exercise, usually putting it at the bottom of our to-do lists. Our society now is focused on what we can take to feel better, what will be a quick fix, when the best medicine is exercise to help us feel better.
Exercising for at least a few minutes every day, even if it's just walking, can make a difference. Getting 10,000 steps a day will help your mental and physical well-being. If the weather prevents you from getting your steps outside and you have a treadmill or a walking pad, you can get your steps in.
Avoid processed foods. There needs to be more regulation on processed food in the United States. It's filled with food dyes, chemicals, and often ingredients we can't pronounce. All of those things can lead to cancer and other illnesses. Recently, there was an entire session in Congress to discuss this lack of regulation on ingredients in food in the United States. That's why it's best to avoid eating it if it comes in a box or bag. Avoid processed foods as much as you can. When you go to the grocery store, stay on the perimeter of the grocery store and avoid the center aisles.
Connection. Connecting with people and maintaining close friendships helps immensely with emotional well-being. Many people who work from home or even those who work in an office all day can get stuck in staying isolated from others. Humans need connection and community.
Hiking and connecting with nature during a visit to the Whistler Interpretive Forest in Whistler, British Columbia.
Getting outside and being on the water is something that helps my mental health because it brings me joy.
Connecting with other amazing women in surgery.
Your Mental Health Matters
Mental health matters and is important for everyone. In medicine, long hours and job demands can take a toll on our mental health. Still, I always strive to support my emotional well-being through the practices I've shared here. Despite the tough days, I love being a surgeon and continue to focus on my mental health to serve my patients better.
I'm passionate about helping other women in medicine. My goal is to support all of us in becoming the best versions of ourselves so we can give back to those who matter most. I also aim to host events focusing on connection, collaboration, and empowering women professionals. My mission is to not just help within the confines of the hospital but also provide care beyond the visit.