Finding the right balance between work and personal life is not always as easy as leaving your workplace at the end of your shift. It may be challenging for a healthcare provider to turn off their healthcare provider switch because of the constant stream of emails, texts, and other notifications. But if you can’t turn it off, it’s not just bad for your mental and physical health; it’s also bad for everyone around you. Patients under the care of a provider experiencing burnout are also at risk, which adds another layer to the risk of being unable to find balance.

Even when they are not on the clock, American workers check and answer their emails for more than five hours daily. There is a culture of being available at all times, which is only amplified by the continual access provided by smartphones and tablet devices. However, having unlimited access is not necessarily a good thing to have in every circumstance. Should a medical emergency occur, your hospital or clinic will call you. If they are emailing you, it is possible that the matter can wait until the next time you are at work. If you find it challenging to refrain from checking your email at all hours of the day and night, consider removing the email account from your phone or turning off your email notifications at home.

Taking charge of group initiatives, managing a staff project, and shift covering, can be challenging to say no to especially if you tend to please others. Although it is admirable and natural to want to assist others, you can only effectively do so if you first assist yourself. Saying no in your personal life is equally acceptable. While spending time with friends or family can help you decompress, it can also make things worse if you genuinely need a quiet evening on the sofa at home or a vigorous workout.

Conclusion.

Finding equilibrium is not a static process; it needs ongoing awareness and taking the time to evaluate whether or not both aspects of one’s life are getting the same amount of attention. If you’re feeling off, remember that finding your equilibrium is a process that doesn’t happen immediately. Instead, it would be best if you considered focusing on smaller goals, such as spending more time with your family or obtaining the required sleep each night.