It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of your community pharmacy. In fact, feeling overwhelmed with all of the day-to-day professional and personal obligations can wreak havoc on your psyche. Here are some tips you and your staff can work on to reduce those feelings of burnout.
Self care
- Ensure you get plenty of sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly.
- Allow more time for relaxation and leisure activities you love. Gifting time for yourself can help you recharge.
Time Management
- Set realistic goals and priorities in order to manage your workload efficiently.
- Stay organized and focused by using time management tools and techniques.
Delegate
- Don’t be afraid to hand tasks off to colleagues when you’re overwhelmed. By delegating effectively, you can help reduce your workload and stress.
Boundaries
- Do you have clear boundaries between work and your personal life? When you have personal time, avoid answering work-related calls, or emails.
- Share your boundaries with colleagues and supervisors. This will help you keep a healthy balance between work and life.
Learn More
- Be sure to stay up to date with pharmacy developments. However, avoid taking excessive continuing education requirements so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Support and Collaboration
- Meet regularly with colleagues to talk about challenges.
- Collaborate with healthcare teams and other professionals. This will ensure effective patient care and lessen individual burdens.
Mental Health Awareness
- Know when you’re burnt out and make your mental health a priority.
- Talk with a mental health professional if you’re struggling with feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression.
Get Away
- Use your scheduled breaks to relax and recharge. This can improve your focus and reduce stress.
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed or have symptoms of burnout, take time off.
Speak Up
- When you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to a supervisor or manager. They can give you additional support or resources to help you.
Feelings of burnout can wreak havoc on your physical health, mental well-being, and your quality of life. Recognize the signs early and address it before it gets worse. Be open to seeking support from a healthcare professional or making lifestyle changes that will reduce your stress.
Pharmacy burnout is a valid concern. You’re not weak because you’re seeking help or making changes in your work life. Instead, you’re being proactive in healing your well-being. Self-care should be your priority when things feel overwhelmingly tough.
A Member-Owned Company Serving Independent Pharmacies
PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy-side of their business. Founded and run by pharmacists, PBA Health serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, wholesaler contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited warehouse with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products — offering the lowest prices in the secondary market.
