Eight Tips to Help Physicians Stay Healthy

1. Hydrate

2. Exercise

3. Plan your meals

4. Eat well

5. Counseling

6. Cut down on drinking

7. Pack snacks

8. Take breaks

As a physician you are exposed to germs all day, under constant pressure, and are kept on a tight schedule. You need to take care of yourself, so you can keep on taking care of others. You want to be alert and at your best for your patients. Here are eight tips to help yourself stay healthy and alert while working.It may seem like a simple solution, but people often forget to stay hydrated when they are busy. Be sure to drink plenty of water to keep your body and brain limber and functioning on a high scale. Take an easy to carry refillable container with you and make sure there is water in it at all times.This may be another no brainer but people who have busy schedules tend to forget to take care of themselves. Try and walk in a park during lunch or take a jog after work. You do not need a gym membership to keep moving, but if that is what it will take to get you to exercise, sign up at your local gym today.If you have a meal plan for the week you will be less likely to skip a meal. You should plan your lunch every day and fix it the night before. This will give you time in the morning to prepare breakfast for yourself as well. However you do it, be sure to eat breakfast and lunch every day.Make sure your meal choices are healthy ones. According to the USDA you want to eat a diet high in fiber, fruit, and vegetables. When you eat out you can pick a healthy and inexpensive option like the Egg White Delight breakfast sandwich for only $3.19 from McDonalds. Once a week eat out and enjoy being waited on. Relax and eat your meal knowing you will be taken care of. It is good for a caregiver to be cared for. Eating out is not a problem if you choose healthy options.If you feel comfortable with it, set aside time to talk to a professional counselor. A professional counselor offers an unbiased opinion and is there to help and listen to you. Having someone to talk to about your life can help you see what you are doing to make your life healthier and happier.Drinking alcohol can be a fun thing to do with your friends to relieve stress after work, but alcohol will cause dehydration and can leave you feeling groggy the next day. In order to be on top of your planning and scheduling you want to be sure to limit your alcohol consumption. The less alcohol you consume the more likely you are to keep up with your healthy habits. If you drink too much you will gain weight and feel awful, according to Drinkaware. Be sure to drink less so you will not gain weight and feel sluggish while you are at work.Everyone gets hungry between meals. You do not want to be running around hungry. When you are really hungry you tend to grab the closest thing, whether it is something healthy or not. Bypass the vending machines by planning healthy snacks to take to work. You can buy granola bars or make your own. A piece of fruit will help with hydration and makes a quick and easy snack. Keep a jar of peanut butter in your office for a quick protein boost during mid-morning.As tempting as it may be to grab your planned lunch and wolf it down at your desk, take time to yourself for lunch. You need time to recharge and get your head in the game. Enjoy your lunch outside the office at a park or other quiet place. If you insist on eating at your desk, close your door so you will not be interrupted. Meditate for a few minutes to organize your thoughts and then face your patients recharged and ready to go.