Need support during your medical training journey? Β Check out these resources for free, confidential support:
peer support for physicians and medical students:Β Physician Support Line
Email Tune Rx founder J.C. Sue at:tunerx97531@gmail.com
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I truly believe that having at least some activities of medicine is important for maintaining wellness during medical training.Β Β In medicine there will always be more work to do, even after completion of training.Β Β In fact, there is so much work available in this career field that it will allow you to work yourself to death if you so choose.Β Β At the beginning of medical school I made a promise to myself that no matter how busy medical training got, I would not let medicine take over 100% of my life.Β Β Even since completing medical training, I have still done my best to keep that promise.Β Β For a long time Iβve known that having a life outside of medicine is important for my sanity, and Iβm sure that is true for many other people, as well.
As you go through medical training, I encourage you to find at least a little time for a hobby or two.Β Β When I was a first year medical student, I heard a second year student recommend taking an hour each day to do whatever you want.Β Β I think setting that kind of time aside is one way to maintain balance in your life, even during the busiest parts of medical training.Β Β As overwhelming as the need to study can feel, I encourage you to take a step back and remember the other important things in life – family, friends, recreational activities that bring you joy.Β Β Studying effectively may sometimes require taking time away from personal events and interests, but if we donβt eventually circle back to those other important things, we can easily find ourselves completely wrapped up in work and neglecting our relationships and self care.
Furthermore, engaging in hobbies can sometimes help you connect with the local community.Β Β A few of my medical school classmates and I met some good people through playing in the local community orchestra.Β Β Since the orchestra was entirely volunteer based, we could easily play on an as available basis and not worry about the stress of a long-term commitment.Β Β I saw it as an opportunity to meet people, keep up my musical skills, and have some opportunities to satisfy my interest in performing.Β Β To this day I still have friends from the orchestra, and I even had the opportunity to play another concert with them years later when I was visiting the area.Β Β Friendships such as these are ones that have helped me maintain my sanity during medical training and helped me keep sight of the world outside of medicine.
Whatever your hobbies and interests are, I encourage you to find ways to incorporate them into your life during medical training.Β Β Maybe that means only watching one episode of your favorite show per day or going to a social event once a week, but even that small break can help you stay mentally well and be better able to learn when you return to studying. Β If you make a habit of prioritizing your hobbies during medical training, doing so after training will be easier, and you will more mentally available for your patients and better able to set an example of living a healthy lifestyle. Β As always, if you need help with the medical training process, feel free to send an email to tunerx97531@gmail.com for free assistance.