Health and the Holidays
Hello, Future Physicians!
In light of the holiday season, this newsletter is about health and the holidays. The holiday season can create so many emotions and feelings for many. Some feel immense joy while others learn to navigate grief and loneliness. Others may choose not to celebrate this time of year at all. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, there are some ways to make sure you are staying well throughout this season, but these are some tips you can take with you and apply throughout the year as well. Some of these tips can be carried with you in your medical school journey and beyond.
Take Care of Yourself: For each person, taking care of yourself will mean something different. The holiday season can mean more time away from work and school, so take this time to rest and do things that you may not otherwise have time for. If possible, take some time away from work and school responsibilities if you feel that you need to. If you would like, spend more time with friends and family. Having a break for the holidays can be a great time to practice self care. If you have an extended holiday break, this can be a good time to catch up on medical appointments.
Take Precautions to Stay Healthy: For some, the holiday season means large gatherings with friends and family. Sharing time with friends and family can be great, but it can also lead to the spreading of germs and contagious illnesses, especially since the holidays take place during cold and flu season. Be sure to wash your hands and eat food that is thoroughly cooked. When serving food, make sure that utensils and dinnerware are clean. If you are not feeling well, you may want to stay home to avoid getting others sick and potentially worsening your symptoms. If you are not feeling well, make sure that you get enough rest and visit the doctor if necessary. While it is fine to have treats over the holidays, it is important that diet is not completely overlooked. Even during celebrations, the body still needs sufficient nutrients and hydration. It is important to listen to your body and identify things it might need, such as more rest or water.
Listen to Your Emotions: As previously mentioned, the holidays can cause many complex emotions. Some might feel anxious for the upcoming new year, and some may be grieving the loss of a family member. Others may be celebrating the new beginnings that the new year represents. The holidays can be stressful because of so many plans and moving parts. It is important to be mindful of your emotions and mental and physical wellbeing. The holidays can be a difficult season for some, and it is important to be able to recognize those feelings so that they can be appropriately addressed. Reflect on some things that might be potential contributors to your feelings. If emotions get overly difficult to manage, it will be beneficial to talk to a doctor, mental health professional, or even a friend or family member if you are comfortable. Do not hesitate to reach out to someone for support. An unstable mental state can have an effect on the body and physical health. When you are able to be in tune with your emotions, you will likely be able to know more about what your needs are, and it can help you find strategies to address them in a way that works for you.
Some tips for managing stress include the following:
Avoid Procrastination: When possible, avoid putting things off until the last minute. This is also a great tip for studying in college and in medical school. There is always a possibility for an unexpected, last-minute thing to come up, so doing things when you know you have ample time can help to avoid later stress. When we procrastinate, it often makes our long list of to-do items even longer. Experiencing a great amount of stress can have physical effects, such as a lack of sleep, which is not beneficial for the body.
Set Boundaries: Setting boundaries is extremely important and requires you to know your limits. Learning to say “no” can be difficult, especially if you are a person who wants to make sure that others are pleased. During the holidays, you may be invited to many different gatherings, but you may not feel up to going to them all. It is important to prioritize your health and wellbeing. Opting to rest instead of going somewhere may be beneficial for you. This is an important thing to learn before going to medical school. In medical school, you will have to learn to manage your school life, personal life, and more. You have to know what your goals and priorities are and take the necessary steps to achieve them. Sometimes, this may require choosing to study instead of doing another activity. In the end, setting clear boundaries is an important skill to learn.
Manage Your Time Well: As previously mentioned, the holiday season can mean more time away from work, school, and other obligations, which makes for a good time for rest and self care. When preparing for holiday festivities, there can be many things to do to prepare. It is important to create a plan to make the most of your time to avoid stress. It is also important to take some time for yourself during all of this so that you do not overwork yourself. Learning to manage your time can coincide with learning to set boundaries. Setting boundaries can allow you to utilize your time and resources in a way that is best for you.
Practice Self Care: Whether it be reading a book, listening to music, or going on a walk, doing something that you enjoy can allow you to take a break from the stress. While it can be difficult, trying to focus on the activity you are doing rather than the stressful things in your life can help you destress and regulate your emotions. When you do not take some time for yourself, you may overextend yourself and feel emotionally and physically drained. Even in the busyness of medical school, it is important to practice self care.
How does all of this apply to your medical school journey?: For many people, the holiday season is a widespread time where emotions and stress are heightened. Being able to manage difficulty during hard times is important, but it is also important to take care of yourself. The same things applies for medical school and even your undergraduate studies. Finding a balance between your studies, social life, and other responsibilities that works for you is crucial for becoming a student that is healthy, well-rounded, and academically sound. The holiday season can be one example of many where stress and emotions may be heightened. In medical school, there will be many ups and downs, and it is important to learn how to navigate them in order to keep making strides toward reaching your goals.
About Future Physicians: Future Physicians is an organization that connects aspiring medical school students to opportunities in the medical field, such as shadowing, internships, and more. If you are interested in learning about the medical field, medical topics, and medical school, sign up for our newsletter below. We would love to help you take a step forward in your medical journey. Thank you so much for reading!
Keep growing!
The Future Physicians Newsletter Team