I’m sure you’ve heard it time and time again: “Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint.” But some days, maybe even most days, it feels like you’re running a 24/7 race against the clock, filled with endless obstacles, all while being asked to memorize an entire textbook.
You tell yourself things like, “I just have to push. Things will get better after this next class, this next exam, this next rotation.”
But what happens when the “next” is here… and you’re running on empty?
The Unspoken Toll
We can all agree that medical school is hard. The constant stress, anxiety, looming pressure, and imposter syndrome, accompanied by long hours; all take a toll not only on physical health but on mental health.
The “I’ll take a break when…” becomes the go-to rhetoric to survive most days.
Unfortunately, mental health doesn’t work that way. It doesn’t just go away, it compounds. When stress, pressure, and exhaustion are left unchecked, it doesn’t just affect your overall well-being. It affects your ability to perform, care for patients, manage relationships, and feel fulfillment.
The Disconnect to Reconnect
Protecting your wellness isn’t about doing more. It’s about weaving in healthy habits that fit into your life. Disconnecting doesn’t necessarily mean scrolling social media, it simply means disconnecting from “work” and reconnecting with life.
Boundaries: Stick to Them
It’s easy, after a long day of studying, rotations, or classes, to shut the computer and numb out. But instead—make the most of life. Get out of the house. Participate in your favorite activities. Gather with friends. Go to the movies.
Just like with studying: quality over quantity.
Schedule in time to prioritize what you enjoy. Some days, that might be an hour. Other times, it might be 15 minutes. Make the most of whatever you have.
Find a Support System That Gets It
The pursuit of becoming a physician is a unique one—often glamorized, rarely understood. Finding your community is essential to building resilience. Talk to mentors, classmates, therapists, colleagues, family members—anyone who can help you find a little more balance in your day-to-day.
Be Open to Having an Off Day
Bad days are going to happen—today, tomorrow, and even years into your practice. The key is allowing them to happen rather than resisting them or forcing your way through.
Bad round of questions? Take a five-minute walk—reset.
Rough clinic day? Take a 15-second mindful breath—regroup.
Bad days will happen. Don’t beat yourself up over them.
Medical school is hard, but burnout is not a badge of honor. You don’t become a better physician by ignoring yourself or your health.
Healthier Docs Save More lives.
Sending you best vibes, Han
This is not medical advice, this is my perspective from personal experience and conversation with past medical students & physicians. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to a medical profession, if you are feeling your mental or physical health may be at risk.
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