WHY EUSTRESSIN'?: DORIAN BROWN | PHARMACY
Over the years, I picked up a few brothers and they are doing some amazing things around the world. Dorian is one of those people. We met over 10 years ago and helped each other grow as people.
Although we talk everyday, I had the chance to pick his brain about his perspective on stressors that he faces as a Pharmacist.
HEY DORIAN, WHY EUSTRESSIN’?
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING/ HOW LONG?
I am a Clinical Staff Pharmacist in the hospital setting for the last 5 years.
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR PROFESSION?
Everyday. Healthcare can be stressful and mentally taxing for all those involved (patient, family/friends, healthcare workers) on a daily basis as we often see many common themes of people in need of care and repeated unfortunate scenarios.
WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO YOU ENCOUNTER SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR JOB THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THAT OTHERS MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT?
The pressure to never make a mistake in healthcare can be overwhelming and learn how to cope with your inevitable mistakes and how to learn from them takes practice. Second is the challenge of balancing empathy for every patient without becoming overtaken by the emotional roller-coaster it may turn into.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN TAKING ON DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES?
It took me a year or two of working to fully realize how important it is to preserve my own mental health as I sought to help and care for others. I did a stretch of intense overtime and hated how of much of a zombie I became in the process. From that point on, I decided to maximize work-life balance opportunities and continually provide my mind with a break from work stresses.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE THOSE STRESSORS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
I try to take mini-breaks to reset my stress levels throughout the day. When I get off my shift at work, I try to take an hour or so to unwind and decompress from that day.
HOW DOES BEING MENTALLY HEALTHY HELP IN YOUR FIELD OF WORK OR ON THE JOB?
I feel like my production and overall satisfaction is limited when I'm stressed or mental overwhelmed. Being mentally healthy gives me the strength to handle the rigors of my daily work without it ruining my day or week or impacting my life when I leave work.
WHAT DOES EUSTRESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU AT WORK? AT HOME/AWAY FROM WORK?
To me, Eustress looks like a balanced mind and lifestyle that is equipped to handle stress and different mental highs and lows of everyday life. For me, Eustress has grown to mean encouragement and the promotion of mentally healthy living for myself and my family/friends.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD TELL SOMEONE JUST STARTING IN YOUR PROFESSION OR A YOUNG PERSON WHO ASPIRES TO BE THE PROFESSIONAL THAT YOU ARE?
I would tell them to have confidence in what they know and continually seek to improve their weaknesses. It will be important to realize that they will make mistakes (it is inevitable) but it will be even more crucial to be able to learn, grow and build from their missteps.
HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTACT YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION?
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Dorian Brown
