Burnout rates among physicians have never been higher. Taking care of yourself has never been more important or more challenging - afterall, your patients and loved ones depend on you! But why is it that there’s no room to breathe in medicine anymore? Why are we expected to go into hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt only to sacrifice the remainder of our healthy years to corporate medicine? Why are we expected to work late into the night, uncompensated, wrapping up clinical notes or responding to emails and portal messages?

For me, the solution has been to say sayonara to that large medical corporation and go into private practice, bringing alongside me other intelligent doctors who wish to practice evidence-based medicine, on their terms, with their expertise, and on their time. I wish we weren’t a dying breed. We get to be parents first. We don’t have to miss events. We get to provide excellent care. We earn a great living and we get to go on vacation. And vacations inspire and rejuvenate me!

Don’t get me wrong - owning an insurance based medical practice is extremely challenging. We are still under the mercy of insurance companies, complete with portal messages, prior authorizations, and google reviews. But the best rewards - seeing patients get better, knowing you are providing the best care (and can innovate and offer new treatments without any administrative hoops), and having complete control over your life and schedule, make it well worth it.

So, are vacations beneficial for mental health? Studies show that the act of planning a vacation is often just as pleasurable as going on the vacation itself. That’s why I’m always actively planning at least 5 vacations at any given time. Vacation planning is my evidence-based antidepressant.

Thanks to amazing teamwork from my staff and colleagues, I was able to enjoy the longest vacation I’ve ever taken - an incredible 2.5 week transatlantic cruise. I literally got to see the world with my family. We even got to fly business class home practically for free using credit card points earned from my business expenses. This extended vacation time was extremely rejuvenating and restorative. I came back a better doctor - more patient, better rested, more open, and more appreciative of other cultures to boot! I was able to establish boundaries with my patients - my self-care and time with family is important too. After all, we need to practice what we preach.

An added benefit to vacation is reconnecting with your spouse. I highly recommend separate rooms for the kids or necessary alone time utilizing kids club. Your spouse will be there longer than your career will last and way after your kids have grown up and moved out. Not to underscore, but keep in mind that divorce is the most expensive financial decision you can ever make.

A vacation offers temporary yet necessary reprieve. I especially recommend a prolonged one to fully relax and unplug. Historically, psychiatrists took a month long holiday annually. I think all doctors need to revive this tradition. In addition to extended annual vacations to minimize burnout, I recommend starting or joining an independent physician-owned practice.

Travel is an investment in yourself, your health, your spirituality, and your loved ones. Your patients will also benefit greatly from it. Just watch and see what it will do. If your current practice setting is not giving you ample space for your emotional and physical well-being, let alone your patients, get out now. Stop building corporate medicine’s dream house and start building your own.

Brittany Albright MD is a practicing psychiatrist in South Carolina