As doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and providers in Pediatrics and Neonatal Medicine we advise parents on the best ways to foster health and well being for their children and their family. As professionals in the medical field we often fall short in taking our own advice, which in the end affects our own health and our lives. We give parents brochures and pamphlets to supplement the conversations we have. It's called anticipatory guidance. As adults have access to information from a myriad of sources including books and magazines, resources online, and our associations. If anything we probably have an abundance of information with a lack of taking the next steps towards using the information to live our best life. This is true for our health, our wealth, and our overall well being.
There are things that we can do as doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners to live our best life however we define it. Instead we remain unhealthy, dissatisfied in our professional lives which spills over into our personal lives and keeps us stuck in a cycle. There are many reasons why we resist the opportunity for something new in our lives.
1.Although we may complain, nothing changes until we are so uncomfortable that we reach a breaking point. That breaking point may occur when our doctor advises us that our weight is a contributing factor to an illness. It may be that the stress that we feel on the job is affecting our health. It may be that the lack of living a balanced life is affecting every sphere of who we are leading to feelings of anxiety and depression.
2.We have packed in so much into our life that there is no room to invite in something new. Our lives may be filled with so much clutter that we are unable to see where something will fit. Clutter takes many forms. There is the physical clutter that we trip over every day with the promise to eventually clear it up. Then there is the mental clutter that gives us all the excuses as to why we just can't seem to get something accomplished. Are you thinking about starting a new exercise regimen but when you look at your daily life you are unable to find the time? At closer look you may have to readjust your priorities so that you can do those activities that take you one step closer to your goals. Rather than repeatedly telling yourself that it is so hard to fit exercise into your daily routine, create space for it by affirming all the ways it is a benefits you.
3.We feel guilty about doing something for ourselves. From the very moment we decided to become a professional in the medical field, it has been about serving and helping others. The very essence of who we are may have been overshadowed by our goals and aspirations to serve as a doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or provider. How you see and value ourself is tied to these roles. It is foreign to create space in life for self care and nurturing when it has always been about treating patients and putting others first. The truth is that taking care of yourself, with a healthy mind, body, and soul is essential to unlocking more and more success in our personal and professional life. Healthy thinking about who we truly are beyond the ties of medicine opens up doors for healthy living.
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