Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.
Issue link: http://outpatientsurgery.uberflip.com/i/445049
1 9 J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 5 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E 1. Pay yourself first. Financial experts tell us to "pay ourselves first" when we want to start saving money. We can apply this mantra to the time that we need to take care of ourselves. If setting aside time for yourself seems impossible, start with a few minutes before bedtime or at the beginning of the day to quiet your mind. Close the book on all of the running to-do lists. Get away from the noise of the day. As you get more comfortable with these few minutes, try to carve out opportuni- ties to extend them. Consider a short walk during your lunch break to find some time to yourself. Try a yoga or meditation class to find new ways of relaxation. You might feel guilty or selfish at first. My first time in a yoga class, I couldn't stop thinking about how much time I was wasting sitting on the floor for 45 minutes when I had so much to do. Now, I can't imagine how I stayed sane before starting my yoga prac- tice. Look at giving yourself that time off as something you need to do for yourself to maintain your own health. 2. Set boundaries. As much as we try to be all things to all people, it's wearing us out. The PTA wants us to bake cupcakes, kids have proj- ects due, spouses want dinner and companionship, and you just got asked to spearhead another QA project at work. On top of that, there is a conference and an off-site professional development course you'd like to attend. You just can't do it all, and it will only expedite your burnout if you try. If you can, ask for some help with the kids, have meals available that your spouse can cook and maybe get a friend to pick up (gasp) store-bought cupcakes on their way to the PTA meet- ing for you. Saying 'no' to things is not only healthy, it's reinvigorating. It lets us regain control of some components of our schedules that may have gotten out of hand. When asked to take on more work responsibilities, don't be afraid to respectfully approach your superi- ors and ask for their help in prioritizing your job tasks. They may not