Battling Burnout: 5 Tips for Staying Resilient in the Healthcare Setting
Healthcare is one of the most fulfilling but demanding professions. Long hours, high-stakes decisions and the emotional weight of caring for patients can take a toll. There is an important difference between everyday stress—which can sometimes push us to achieve short-term goals—and burnout, a more severe condition that compromises health and job satisfaction.
Burnout is defined by three dimensions:
- Emotional exhaustion: Feeling completely drained and overwhelmed.
- Depersonalization: Becoming distant or detached from patients and colleagues.
- Reduced personal accomplishment: Struggling to find meaning or satisfaction in your work.
In short, burnout leaves us feeling drained, detached and discontented. Below are five tips for addressing stressors that lead to burnout and thriving in a demanding hospital setting.
1. Recognize the Early Signs of Burnout
Imagine starting your shift feeling physically exhausted despite getting a full night’s sleep. As the day progresses, you find yourself feeling emotionally disconnected from patients, going through the motions rather than fully engaging. By the end of the day, you question whether your work is making a difference at all.
These experiences may signal the early stages of burnout, which doesn’t happen overnight, but builds gradually. By tuning into your emotions and behaviors, you can recognize the early stages of burnout before it becomes overwhelming.
- How do you feel at the start of your day? Persistent fatigue or lack of motivation may signal emotional exhaustion.
- How do you approach patient interactions? A growing sense of cynicism or detachment is a key warning sign of depersonalization.
- Do you feel fulfilled in your work? If not, you may be experiencing the reduced sense of personal accomplishment that defines burnout.
Burnout isn’t just an individual challenge—it’s a systemic one. That’s why Texas Children’s takes proactive steps to support our healthcare teams. Programs like our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provide confidential counseling for team members and their families, equipping them to address challenges early and build resilience.
2. Prioritize Physical and Mental Health
A patient care assistant who decides to incorporate a quick 10-minute stretch routine into her lunch break, focusing on flexibility and deep breathing, is likely to notice improved energy levels and a stronger ability to handle stressful situations. Healthcare workers often put their own well-being last, but small, intentional habits can create lasting benefits. Consider these strategies:
- Move regularly: Physical activity reduces stress and improves mood. Even brief walks or stretches during shifts can make a difference.
- Eat intentionally: Balanced, nutritious meals sustain energy during long hours.
- Practice mindfulness: Techniques like meditation, breathing exercises or progressive relaxation help create moments of calm in a busy day.
At Texas Children’s, employee wellness is a cornerstone of the workplace. From free fitness classes—like yoga, barre, and strength training—to health coaching that offers tailored advice on nutrition and wellness goals, resources offered by our Workforce Well-Being team are readily available to help employees thrive physically and mentally.
3. Build a Strong Support Network
Healthcare work can sometimes feel isolating, but connection is key to maintaining resilience. Consider a team of nurses who gather weekly for informal debriefs after their shifts. By sharing their challenges, they not only find solutions but also a sense of solidarity. Building strong relationships with colleagues and leaning on your network can alleviate feelings of detachment. Try these ideas:
- Share experiences: Take time to connect with peers who understand the unique challenges of your field.
- Participate in team-building activities: Activities like wellness challenges or creative workshops build camaraderie while reducing stress.
- Rely on trusted mentors: Guidance from experienced professionals can help reframe challenges and clarify your goals.
Texas Children’s fosters connection through unique programs like Expressive Art for Well-Being, which offers opportunities for employees to explore creativity and bond with colleagues. Additionally, Employee Pet Therapy provides a much-needed morale boost with visits from therapy animals, creating moments of joy in high-pressure environments.
4. Focus on Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being
A respiratory therapist facing a particularly challenging week can find relief in journaling to help process the emotions tied to a difficult case. Simple practices like this help reconnect health care workers with a sense of purpose. Here are some ways to nurture your emotional and spiritual well-being:
- Take reflective pauses: Journaling or guided meditation can help you process emotions.
- Seek support: Counseling or peer groups can provide valuable outlets for sharing and healing.
- Engage in gratitude practices: Reframing your perspective can foster hope and positivity.
Texas Children’s offers robust mental, emotional and spiritual health resources for its team members. Through services like onsite grief and crisis care—including support groups and one-to-one sessions with workforce chaplains—and mindfulness resources, employees have access to compassionate guidance during challenging times.
5. Set Boundaries and Build Resilience
After setting a strict cutoff time for work-related tasks and blocking time for personal activities, a surgical resident may notice significant improvement in focus and energy during shifts. Setting boundaries and developing resilience go hand in hand when it comes to combating burnout. Here’s how to make it happen:
- Protect your time: Learn to say “no” to tasks that exceed your capacity or stretch you too thin.
- Schedule breaks: Even short pauses can improve focus and recharge your energy.
- Prioritize rest: Quality sleep is essential to maintaining emotional and physical balance.
At Texas Children’s, our Workforce Well-Being team provides a suite of in-person and virtual stress management sessions. These are designed to help team members recharge. Topics include breathing meditation, stretching, massage, guided walks and stress management presentations—offered on demand to fit busy schedules.
Texas Children’s: A Leader in Combating Burnout in Healthcare
As healthcare workers, we often focus so much on our patients that we forget to check in with ourselves. Take a moment to reflect: How are you feeling after your shifts? Are you finding it harder to recharge or stay connected to the meaning in your work?
If so, you’re not alone. A 2022 survey revealed that nearly half of U.S. healthcare workers experience burnout—an alarming rise from 31.9% in 2018. This growing challenge highlights the urgent need for organizations to support their teams with robust wellness programs and resources. Texas Children’s is proud to lead the way, addressing burnout with innovative strategies and programs.
In fact, Texas Children’s Pediatrics recently earned national recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine™ health organization—an accolade recognizing its commitment to fostering a culture of well-being and resiliency.
By investing in wellness programs, professional development and meaningful employee connections, Texas Children’s is setting a new standard for care—not just for our patients, but for our people.
Ready to learn more about how Texas Children’s supports its workforce? Explore our benefits and well-being programs.