Sulking in the Sunday Scaries? Try These Three Things!

Sunday scaries are the real deal. If you’ve ever had them, then you know that feeling of unease you get in your stomach when you realize work is looming around the corner the next day. If you have an untraditional schedule and don’t work Monday through Friday, you can still experience these feelings any other day of the week leading up to going back to work after a weekend or series of days off. Even if you love your job, sometimes the stress of the unknown can get the best of you.

Are you longing to put the Sunday scaries aside and enjoy every bit of time away from the office? Try following these tips to learn how to appreciate Mondays (or any other day for that matter) again.

1. Take a Technology Break

Habitually checking your phone can leave you feeling trapped and anxious. Whether you are constantly browsing through your notifications or endlessly feeling the vibration from calls, texts and emails coming through, the American Psychological Association states that regularly checking your smartphone is linked with higher levels of stress. If you want to lower your level of nervous tension before going back to work, do yourself a favor and spend time away from your phone, iPad, and other devices. Instead, read a book, spend time with family, or try taking up a new hobby. You might be surprised in just how rejuvenated you feel after going just a little while without the distraction of technology. This is just one way to ease yourself back into your work without feeling frazzled.

2. Don’t Overdo it

When you are at work, you may tend to try to get through as much as possible so that you don’t have as much to worry about once you return. But in the busy role of being a hospitalist, there are always going to be things on your to-do list. By working nonstop without taking some time for breathing, you can hinder your productivity, reduce engagement, and increase strain on your well-being. Suggestions for getting a few minutes of needed respite during the workday include taking a five-minute stretch break or a quick walk, a few moments to read for pleasure, and/or a guided meditation to refocus and reenergize.

3. Get Outside

If you are caring for patients all day, it is more than likely you are spending most of your time indoors under florescent lights. Spending too much time indoors can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and even insomnia. That’s because when you don’t get enough sunlight, your body’s central circadian rhythm, or internal clock, can get thrown off. Additional health issues that may arise from not getting enough environmental light include an increased risk for diabetes, obesity, and other ailments. Practicing mindfulness outdoors can improve your mood, encourage relaxation, and help you clear the noise of your psyche. If you work anywhere from 8-12 hours a day indoors, try planning two to three blocks of 10 minutes at a time to escape and breathe in some open air.

Making just a few of these adjustments gradually can greatly improve your state of mind and appreciation for your job. Instead of working yourself to a position of agony, try incorporating a few of these small adjustments into your daily work schedule. You may be pleasantly surprised just how well you (and others you work with) respond.

Learn More About Advanced Care Hospitalists (ACH)

ACH is a Lakeland-based hospitalist group providing comprehensive patient care in community hospitals across Central Florida. Our providers are highly skilled, board-certified internal medicine specialists who are available around-the-clock to meet the care needs of patients from hospital admission through discharge. Post-discharge from the hospital, we continue overseeing patient care for 30 days.

We’ve found that continued care coordination ensures more accurate medication reconciliation, improved compliance with discharge plans, better scheduling of follow-up visits, and fewer hospital readmissions. Our providers do everything in their power to make sure our patients receive the compassionate and comprehensive care they need to promote healing and prevent a second hospital admission.

For more information about our services and our practice, please contact Advanced Care Hospitalists at 863-816-5884 or fill out a contact form online.