Being a physician can be a very stressful job. You have long hours standing on your feet dealing with all sorts of scenarios, often stressful ones. So, before you end up as another physician’s patient, here are eight fun ways for you to relieve stress outside the office. 1. Gardening Gardening can provide a great deal of stress relief. You are working with your hands, producing something healthy to eat, and you will get exercise and time outside in the sunshine. Also, completing a garden with real results can give you a rewarding sense of accomplishment. 2. Light a candle The soothing smell of lavender will help you feel less stressed and make your house smell nice. Other stress relieving scents include orange, rose, and sandalwood. Sit down and breathe in the relaxing scents and feel your stress melting away. 3. Hang out with your pet Pet’s provide unconditional love. They listen to your complaints and provide a support only pets can bring. Spend time playing with them or walking them, this activity not only gives you an outlet to relax, but an outlet to exercise. Your stress will dissipate the longer you hang out with your favorite furry friend. 4. Dancing Go out dancing with friends. You can go to a club or join a dance class. Either way you are shaking to the beat and providing yourself with great, and fun, exercise. For example, Bachata Dance classes at an Arthur Murray Dance Studio can also get you out of your comfort zone and help you meet new people and make new friends. 5. Nap Sometimes all you need is to lie down for twenty or so minutes with your eyes closed and the lights off. If you are stressed all the time you are probably not getting enough sleep, so a quick catnap will help you feel awake and refreshed. This can help you recharge and be ready to go out and spend time with your friends, or tackle the next project. 6. Drawing You can take some time to sit and draw a picture, or color from one of the many adult oriented coloring books avaible now. Focusing on this will take your mind off of your work and help you unwind after a busy day at work. You can draw on your own, or take drawing classes at a nearby college or art studio. Creating something can help keep you present and relaxed. 7. Mini-Vacation You can take a mini-vacation by using some sick days you do not use during the year and tacking them onto a weekend. You will have a four or five day stretch where you can go somewhere close to home, like a luxury spa or camping trip. The idea is to get away from your home and office for a day or two. If you prefer to stay home, plan on seeing a play or go to the movies. Get out of your house and enjoy what your town has to offer. 8. Notice the good things Sometimes, relieving stress is as simple as changing your outlook on life. If you start to notice all the good things around you, you will feel happier and more fulfilled. The more fulfilled you are the less stressed you will be. Take some time to smell the proverbial flowers and enjoy the company of your family. Good things are all around you. You just have to take the time to notice them. All of these suggestions can help you relieve some of your day to day stress, and you’ll hopefully be in a better mood in order to look forward to going out with your family and friends after work. But more importantly, you’ll be able to feel recharged for your day to day activities at your practice. The less stressed you are the happier you’ll be, and the happier those around you will be. Source
