‘Get some rest you look exhausted’, a well meaning colleague says as they leave the office. Meant kindly I know. I also know: I am completely knackered. It’s Winter and our AMU is chaos.  Whatever your profession, the pressure is only ramping up and finding the physical and mental energy needed to keep going is really tough. The sheer relentlessness of our AMUs coupled with bed pressures and the constant battle to provide good quality care is overwhelming. Precious days off are spent doing the bare essentials (dog walk, food shop, clean), trying to conserve some energy and readying myself for the next working week. This is a vicious cycle whereby resentment creeps in because work becomes the focus and I can’t remember the last time I did something for me.

The word Wellbeing is one we have heard much more often over the past few years. It means to be in a state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. At work we are encouraged to think about our wellbeing and to prioritise it. This is easier said than done, more often than not it falls somewhere near the bottom of the list of things to do. Until I hit that ever familiar brick wall and kick myself for allowing things to fall into a cycle of eat, sleep, work, repeat.

I am in a team lead position and was embarrassed to say I was finding things hard. I let things fall behind. I put work first. I chose not to do the things I wanted for fear of not coping at work, of being too tired, of not being able to support my team. I forgot the fundamental thing that I tell so many other people- If you don’t look after yourself, how will you look after others?

Acute Medicine is one of the most difficult jobs I have had but it is also the one where I feel most valued and where my contribution is celebrated.  If you have other responsibilities on top of work such as looking after kids, or parents or others- you do not get to switch off when you get home.

Wellbeing will not be the same for everyone. And those little acts of self- care, that help us reach that state of wellbeing will also be different. What I have found useful is starting small. When things are overwhelming, don’t overwhelm yourself more, don’t set yourself unrealistic goals and do be kind to yourself for trying.  ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’- do your thing, whatever that may be and remember consistency is key.

I am passionate about my job and I am passionate about Acute Medicine. I imagine anyone who works within healthcare, with that underlying volition to help others is equally as passionate. Putting yourself first does not mean failure to cope, nor does it mean you are not a compassionate person or a driven professional. I have a strong sense of purpose and remembering why I do what I do can really help on the harder days. So can tapping into the resource you do have-family, your colleagues, your friends, your Multi-disciplinary team.

Despite all of this there are times where things will still feel overwhelming and it’s difficult to know where to start. While we have come a long way when it comes to talking about our mental health, unfortunately there can still be a stigma attached that can stop us reaching out for help or reaching out to help someone else. SAM  have compiled a list of resources that people may find useful. If you are reading this and you wish to share an idea that helps you and or something you think would help others then please get in touch 😊