Wellness Tips Before the Start of Residency
Written by Morgan Pratt, MD
Starting residency is both exhilarating and frightening. Unlike those who joined the workforce pre-pandemic, we find ourselves grappling with a unique set of circumstances. This can be an overwhelming prospect. You may be wondering what I can do to prepare for the intern year- read journals, do questions, or start a new research project? My advice? Do none of the above. Your preparation is to use the time you have to fill your metaphorical cup to get yourself as mentally and physically healthy as you can be before the start of your intern year. As you complete your fourth year, initiate new habits that will carry over to fit your new life challenges.
Find people you trust and enjoy. Having co-residents that you genuinely enjoy being around and those that you can lean on and be vulnerable around is key. This is a great gift during this time. Keep this in mind during interviews and while building your rank list.
Practice self-care. With all the changes that will be thrown at you, it’s easy to lose sight of your health and wellbeing. Finding balance is critical. Make sure your time is filled with activities that bring you joy and respite. Maybe for you, it’s yoga or spin class, or a particular hobby you’d like to get back to. Now is the time to find these things again and let them enter your life. Self-compassion is a wonderful attribute to cultivate.
Mental health. In preparation for starting residency check in with yourself and be honest about your mental health needs. There is no time like the present to find a counselor before starting the next chapter. Your program may have a built-in support group or maybe there is a therapist in the area that is familiar with the struggles of residency; get in early and ask for help.
Connections outside of medicine. Don’t let your connections fall by the wayside. FaceTime, Snap chat, Marco Polo, etc with friends that you can’t easily see or chat with due to scheduling or location constraints. You are a whole dynamic human, not just a resident.
Make your pod. Quarantines will come and go as we continue to experience variant after variant. Find a handful of people who you can safely see by keeping yourself safe and avoiding full isolation when you’re well.
Vacation and sick time. Allow yourself to take breaks. Do your best to schedule your vacations throughout the year especially after difficult blocks. If you have sick time available, take a mental health day here and there when it doesn’t affect your co-residents to fill the cup when it feels low.
Boundaries. Setting boundaries with work and residency obligations is extremely important. Residency is a marathon, not a sprint. Prioritize learning new skills to optimize efficiency and time management as much as the new medical knowledge so that you can protect your time when you are not physically at work. Keep your boundary lines clear with difficult patients, friends, and family.
Sleep. This is non-negotiable. Being rested each morning will not always be possible, but you must cultivate a successful sleep practice!
Taking care of yourself is NOT selfish. These practices will make you a better provider for your future patients, preserve the longevity of your career and overall job satisfaction.
