We all assume doctors have it all together when it comes to health, right? They have the textbook answers for better health. They know all the dos and don’ts and healthy habits to live longer and happier lives. But the truth is that they’re human and they struggle with the same habits the rest of us do.
Even though they give great advice to patients, they don’t always follow it themselves. Here are 10 health tips doctors know they should stick to, but admit in online forums they often ignore these in their own lives.
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Get 8 hours of sleep every night
Doctors know all about how important sleep is to health, focus, and mood. But with overnight shifts, early starts, and late nights in the hospital, many are powered by caffeine and willpower alone.
Take regular meal breaks
Doctors tell patients, “Don’t skip meals!” But sometimes they forget their own advice and just grab a protein bar between surgeries or gulp down cold leftovers between patient rounds. Some days, lunch is basically coffee.
Stay hydrated all day
They recommend water over soda or energy drinks, but when they’re running around the hospital for hours, that water bottle on their desk? Totally untouched.
Exercise regularly
Doctors know all about how regular exercise can help with stress, sleep, and long-term health. But finding time to work out after a 12-hour shift? It’s not always realistic, no matter how good their intentions.
Manage stress with healthy coping methods
They encourage patients to meditate, go for walks, or talk things out when they’re stressed. However, many admit they just zone out with social media or binge-watch Netflix instead.
Limit caffeine intake
They tell patients to cut back on coffee for heart health or better sleep. But during long shifts, that third (or fourth) cup feels less like a luxury and more like survival fuel.
Take time off for mental health
Doctors know burnout is real. They often lecture other doctors about it. But when it comes to their own health and mental health, they are also human, and often push through exhaustion and skip breaks, rationalizing, “I’m fine.”
Avoid screen time before bed
Doctors remind patients of all the ways blue light screens can mess with sleep. But after a long day, many also wind down by mindlessly scrolling Instagram, catching up on emails, or Netflix binges like the rest of us.
Go to their own check-ups
Doctors remind patients to keep up with physicals and wellness checks, dentist appointments, annual eye exams, and recommended screenings. However, they can be just as guilty of saying, “I’ll schedule it later,” and then “later” never seems to come.
Practice perfect posture
Doctors advise patients to sit tall and take care of their backs. But after long hours at work, bent over charts, computers, or examining tables, many end up hunched over by the end of their shifts themselves.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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