Preparing yourself for the intensity of applying to and attending medical school is important. This week we’ll highlight healthy behaviors to incorporate into your schedule.
Sleep. When sleep is in your control, try to maximize the opportunity. A study published in the December 2021 Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that anxiety and stress directly impacted medical students' sleep during the second wave of COVID-19. One thing that you can do to combat that right now is to put away your phone every night. You've heard it before—but it's especially relevant to you. In a study published in the January 2022 Journal of Affective Disorders, medical students’ anxiety was associated with problematic smartphone use and sleep deprivation.
Move. Do whatever you comfortably can do; this is not ableist advice. You don't need to have six-pack abs to be a strong candidate for medical school or med student—exercise is just another way to reduce your risk of a meltdown. A study published in Academic Medicine in 2017 surveyed 12,500 medical students across the country and found that those who met the CDC's exercise recommendations had a lower risk of burnout and a higher quality of life.