Can Physicians Really Have Hobbies? Yes, Here's How

Can Doctors Really Have Hobbies? Yes – And Here’s How

Let’s be real: being a doctor often feels like you’ve signed a lifetime subscription to chaos. Shift work, emergency calls, paperwork mountains, emotionally draining interactions, and, let’s not forget, family and social obligations that still expect your presence. So how on earth are some doctors managing to play padel twice a week, hit the gym regularly, or even learn to play the guitar without burning out? Are they superhuman or just ridiculously organized?

Neither. They just figured out something that most of us ignore for far too long: your hobbies are not a luxury—they're your lifeline.

Let’s dive into the raw truth, relatable struggles, and most importantly, practical and motivational tips for doctors to make time for their hobbies—routinely and guilt-free.

Doctors Are Humans Too (Even If We Forget That Sometimes)

Medicine often makes us believe that if we’re not studying, saving a life, or documenting something on an EMR, then we’re wasting time. This is a toxic mindset. It pushes hobbies to the backseat, if not straight out of the car.

But guess what? The irony is that neglecting your own joy, passion, or simple “me time” doesn’t make you a better doctor—it slowly chips away at the vibrant human behind the white coat.

What Happens When Doctors Ditch Their Hobbies?

• Burnout sets in faster.
• Anxiety and emotional exhaustion become part of your identity.
• You start losing your sense of self outside of your job title.
• Relationships suffer, because let’s be honest, nobody wants to be around someone who’s always mentally drained.

Now, flip the narrative. When you make time for that padel game or your painting class?

• You recharge.
• You smile more.
• Your brain gets creative again.
• You bring more presence and compassion into your patient care.

So, Is Practicing Your Hobby as a Doctor Easy? No. Worth It? Absolutely.

Let’s acknowledge this: it’s hard. But so was med school. So was your residency. So is waking up after a 24-hour shift and being expected to function like a normal person.

You’ve done hard things before. This one is just as essential, except this time, you’re doing it for YOU.

Real-Life Hurdles Doctors Face—and How to Overcome Them

1. "I Don’t Have Time"

Let’s dissect this excuse.

You may not have a lot of time, but the truth is, you do have some time. The key is micro-scheduling. Instead of waiting for a perfect 3-hour gap to appear, look for smaller windows:

• 30 minutes of padel after clinic on Tuesdays.
• 15 minutes of journaling before bed.
• One gym session during lunch break.

Pro tip: Book your hobby time like a patient appointment. Treat it as non-negotiable.

2. "I Feel Guilty Prioritizing Myself"

That white-coat guilt is real. But remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup.

You taking care of your own needs is not selfish—it’s preventative medicine for yourself.

3. "I'm Too Tired After Work"

Tiredness is valid. But also deceptive.

Many doctors find that once they start engaging in a physical hobby (padel, gym, running), their energy levels improve, not decline. It's like giving your brain a stretch break after sitting in one position too long.

Benefits of Practicing Hobbies for Doctors

• Stress Reduction: You can't shout at your EMR, but you can vent through a punching bag or canvas.
• Improved Focus: A rested mind thinks faster, diagnoses clearer, and writes notes more efficiently.
• Better Sleep: Yes, that elusive holy grail. Regular physical or creative activity = better circadian rhythm.
• Stronger Relationships: You're more emotionally available when you’re emotionally balanced.

Types of Hobbies That Suit Busy Doctors

⏱ Time-Efficient Hobbies:

• Padel (a 60-minute match = high reward cardio)
• Quick gym sessions (HIIT, 20 minutes is enough)
• Meditation apps (headspace, 10 minutes of silence)
• Reading 5 pages of fiction per night

Creative Outlets:

• Sketching or painting (even once weekly)
• Playing a musical instrument (15 minutes daily is a win)
• Writing—blogs, poetry, journaling

Restorative Hobbies:

• Gardening (yes, even your tiny balcony counts)
• Yoga
• Audiobooks on a walk

How to Create a Habit of Doing Hobbies Routinely

✅ 1. Anchor Your Hobby to a Routine

Example: “After ward rounds every Thursday, I head straight to the gym.”
Anchoring it to an existing task helps cement it into habit.

✅ 2. Make It Social

Join a padel league, running group, or book club. It adds accountability and gives you non-medical friends to interact with.

✅ 3. Make It Easy

Don’t choose hobbies that require tons of preparation. Pick something accessible. Have your gym bag always ready in your car. Keep your guitar on a stand in the living room—not buried in a closet.

✅ 4. Don’t Aim for Perfection

You don’t need to be a fitness model, a concert pianist, or a published author. The goal is enjoyment, not achievement.

✅ 5. Guard Your Time Like an ICU Patient

If someone tries to take over your hobby time with “just one more patient,” remember: your well-being has a right to exist too.

Inspiration from Fellow Doctors

• A pediatrician who wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to paint in silence before her toddler wakes up.
• An internist who books a Padel court every Sunday and hasn’t missed a match in 18 months.
• An orthopedic surgeon who runs marathons and swears by it for mental clarity.
• A psychiatrist who knits to cope with emotionally heavy days.

They’re not less busy than you. They’ve just built a boundary that says: I matter, too.

Doctor, You Deserve Joy Too

There’s no rulebook that says you can’t have hobbies because you wear a stethoscope. You didn’t give up your passions when you took the Hippocratic Oath. They just got buried under rounds, shifts, and charts.

Dust them off.

Pick up the racket. Lace up the shoes. Write the poem. Water the plants. Book the salsa class.

You are more than a doctor.

You are a person—who deserves laughter, leisure, and a life that feels alive.