There’s one thing Ferris Bueller definitely got right: Life moves pretty fast. We only get 24 hours to work with each day, and they seem to fly faster and faster—especially when you’re traveling. It’s easy to get caught up in the blur of the medical traveler lifestyle, moving swiftly between work, travel planning, exercise, sleep, hobbies and adventures.
Medical travelers live fast-paced lives by choice and by design. But if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, do you really, truly make the most of it? Or are you putting yourself in danger of burnout?
Developing a mindful work-life balance can help you slow time down and be your best self in every part of your day. By building a schedule, setting boundaries and taking time for yourself, you can bring your A-game to work and have time and energy to soak up the perks of the traveler lifestyle.
A successful work-life balance looks different for everyone, so take our tips as guidelines that you can use to build a life where you thrive.
1. Start a morning routine and stick to it.
When you work as a medical traveler, every day can look a little different. Monday—you might be at work for 12 hours. Tuesday—you might spend the day perusing coffee shops and museums. Wednesday—you might run errands and then go to work later in the day. We can’t really keep a daily routine because every day brings new tasks and opportunities.
You can, however, begin every day on the right foot. The morning is a chance to set the tone for the rest of the day, so put aside time to do whatever will make you feel prepared to take on any day. Stretch, meditate, make coffee, check your emails, write in your journal, shower or anything else that makes you feel centered and refreshed. By starting every day with a healthy routine, you can live more mindfully with the confidence to make the most of the day’s activities.
2. Don’t feel obligated to do everything and be everywhere.
We talk a lot about maximizing the medical traveler life and squeezing all the goodness out of every moment and location, but that doesn’t mean you have to constantly go on adventures and say yes to every opportunity. It means finding what you really love to do and doing it fully.
It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to set boundaries. You’ll protect yourself from burning out by preserving your time for the things you genuinely want to do. Love cooking? Plan a day each week to try a new recipe. Trying to hike more? Invest in your endurance and make time to find new trails. When you let go of the pressure to take every opportunity that comes your way, you’ll be more fulfilled by your adventures and have the energy to get outside your comfort zone too.
3. Mindfulness and gratitude will take you far.
A perfect work-life balance isn’t always in the cards, and that’s okay. Some weeks are super busy, but the key is to recognize when you’re off balance. If you ever feel like you’re going on autopilot or getting caught up in the day-to-day, hit reset by practicing little bits of mindfulness and gratitude.
Take a deep breath, ground yourself in your present moment and pay attention to what you need. By simply giving some thought to yourself and the good things in your life, you can get better at noticing and enjoying the good things.
Medical travel is a thrilling, energetic life and our Uniti team wants you to thrive in it. That’s why we’re always here to offer advice and recommendations. Ready to make an investment in yourself? Reach out to us and we’ll get you set on the best path for you.