It’s 4:00 a.m. I’ve managed to drag myself out of bed and into the gym to burn off some calories. I’m exhausted, but I know my body needs this to relieve some stress.
Working in healthcare has been a relentless ride these past few years. Yet, even in my “alone” gym time, I’m bombarded by 10 TV screens—most of them flashing negative 24-hour news cycles—giving me every reason to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head.
My heart longs for peace and solitude, but when you are a Physician Assistant, finding the time to get away seems nearly impossible.
The Ultimate Prescription for Burnout
Over the past decade, I have spent countless hours camping and backpacking through the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. It has become my personal prescription for renewal, and I believe every healthcare provider needs to experience something similar at least once in their career.
I close my eyes in the gym and reminisce back to my last trip: waking up in my tent to a cool, crisp fall morning just as the sun rises. There is a pleasant, smoky scent in my down jacket, a reminder of the night before spent around the campfire with close friends.
Leaving the warmth of my sleeping quilt is a difficult task, but I’m motivated by the promise of hot coffee and the absolute silence of the woods.
“I listen as the forest slowly wakes up: the woodpecker pounding against a tree, the cackling crow, the chirping cardinal. It is my reminder to pack my bag before the day sneaks away from me.”
Unpacking the Heavy Baggage
After meticulously packing my bag, I strap on my hiking boots. The leaves crunch underfoot, making way for soft pine needles. The shade of the deep forest canopy eventually opens to a barren glade, where the sun warms my body enough to shed my jacket, even in 40-degree weather.
Sitting on a mossy boulder, drinking water, and watching a squirrel play up and down an oak tree, a thought suddenly hits me.
Such a simple existence. When did life get so complicated for me?
Life has gotten complicated for all of us in medicine. Our “normal” way of living was turned upside down by masks, vaccines, mortality, and severe staffing shortages. Whether we admit it or not, the trauma of the ER and the hospital floor weighs heavily on our minds.
But out here? The noise of the city is gone. The air is clear. Pagers don’t beep.
The Benefits of Turning Off “Artificial Life”
One of my favorite things about backpacking is being completely out of cell phone coverage. It forces a detox from our 24/7 electronic society.
- I don’t have to respond to texts.
- “Urgent” messages simply have to wait.
- I learn to be quiet and still.
In the hushed stillness, freed from the clamor of distractions, I start to think about the many blessings in my life: a beautiful family, a home full of love, freedom, and safety. I can physically feel the stress in my neck melt away. My smile returns. The time of day becomes irrelevant.
Returning Home a Better Clinician
Alas, returning to reality is inevitable. But as I drive home, something has shifted. My heart is full of gratitude, a new sense of purpose, and a clearer vision for my future.
The time away allows me to reflect on my life and ensure that my long-term goals still align with my current daily activities. Often, I realize that adjustments need to be made—boundaries need to be set—and I return home a better man, a better father, and a better PA.
What is Your “Backpack”?
You don’t have to hike into the wilderness to find peace. What steps can you take today to unplug, find solitude, and reclaim your time from the demands of medicine? If you feel like you are just surviving your shifts, it’s time to chart a new path.
