Worthy Footnotes From A Health Coach To Help Doctors Stay Healthy

I know some doctors who believe their title bestows magical power, a power that grants immunity from illness, enables the ability to work long hours, reduces sleep requirements and allows one to pass on nourishment or exercise. They believe this power comes with zero health consequence.¹ The number one peril of these physicians is that they seem to accept that stress is an everyday expectation.

These “super docs” program themselves to go full tilt, live on the edge and test their limits.² It bears a reminder that while physicians tend to function at warp speed, this is usually short-term. No human (or machine) can go non-stop, full throttle for very long. Burnout is real. The need for rest, maintenance and proper fuel is real. When it comes to stress, this is certainly a case where less is more beneficial. Balance is key. 

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of improving our immune systems is more real than ever before.³ Although caring for patients is somewhat challenging these days, physicians want to remain available. In fact, patient care remains an essential, ongoing commitment, much like brushing one’s teeth.⁴ However, patient care should not come at the expense of doctors caring for themselves.⁵ The final words from each flight attendant’s preflight announcement rings true, “take care of yourself before helping others.” 

So how can a doctor remain hardworking, compassionate … and healthy?⁶

Doctor, heal thyself! Here are some ridiculously simple lifestyle tips and reminders about taking care of yourself.⁷

1. Do not skip meals. You will only slow your metabolism and rob your body of needed energy. If a poorly managed schedule prevents you from taking time for a nourishing lunch to refuel, fix your schedule.⁸
2. Do your best to maintain a healthy diet. You cannot fix your health until you fix your diet. Whenever possible, opt for fresh foods over processed (boxed, bagged or “fast”) foods.⁹ (Make “whenever possible” a lifestyle habit.)
3. Carbohydrates and protein are both vital for good health. Each of these nutrients plays a unique role in building and maintaining a healthy body so a food plan that deprives you of one or the other over an extended period of time can put your health at risk.
4. Stay away from processed sugar.¹⁰ In addition to negatively affecting liver function, weight management, appetite, blood glucose and blood lipid control, sugar weakens your immune system and causes inflammation in the body, which can lead to type 2 diabetes and cancer. Let your sugar come from immunity-boosting fresh fruits and sweet root vegetables, not candy bars, cookies and soda.¹¹ 
5. Make time to exercise daily. Get your heart pumping. If the word “exercise” scares you, try this: move daily.¹² Better?
6. Hydrate. Replenish lost fluids by drinking plenty of water each day, especially when “moving.”
7. Recognize and respect the onset of body fatigue and/or mental exhaustion. Listen to your body when you need rest.¹³
8. Smile more and frown less. Smiling takes little effort. Thanks to the release of certain neurotransmitters, smiling actually helps the human immune system to function more effectively.¹⁴ 

Understand that in addition to maintaining a healthy diet (the food on your plate), other lifestyle components also have a major effect on your health. As a health coach, I refer to these as “primary foods”. Examples of primary foods include your personal relationships, physical activity, spirituality (i.e. your beliefs in religion, in yourself, in other people, in nature, art or kindness) and working in a fulfilling career that makes you happy. Learning how to manage these influential areas of your life can cut the stress that so often triggers disease.

Don’t wait until you are faced with sickness before you decide to make healthier choices. Choose life. Choose now.

In these times of uncertainty, don’t forget to wear a mask in public, social distance and wash your hands!¹⁵ You protect me and I’ll protect you. Thanks for reading. Stay safe. Stay healthy. 

Ms. Homisak is the President of SOS Healthcare Management Solutions in Federal Way, Wa.  She completed a Health Coach Training Program from the Institute of Integration Nutrition, and received Certification as a Holistic Health Practitioner from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.

Footnotes

1. If the shoe fits, think again. You are not Superman or Wonder Woman.
2. Generally speaking, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but…
3. Who would have ever thought we’d be living this nightmare? 
4. If you don’t brush your teeth, there is a real good possibility they will fall out. 
5. You know who you are!
6. Don’t feel obligated to respond. I’m going to tell you in the very next line.
7. You can trust me. I’m a practicing certified health coach in my spare time.
8. Coffee is not a meal.
9. “If it came from a plant, eat it. If it’s made IN a plant, don’t.” – Michael Pollan, author/activist.
10. Don’t be fooled. Sugar is also camouflaged as corn syrup, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, glucose, sucrose, dextrose, lactose plus more than 42 other cryptic names.
11. You are what you eat, Dr. McFlurry. You can’t expect to look like a million bucks if you eat from the dollar menu.
12. What fits your busy schedule better? Exercising one hour a day or being dead 24 hours a day?
13. Left to your interpretation
14. 😀
15. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!”