Physician Overwhelm: 5 Practical Strategies to Reduce Stress and Regain Control | Ep29
Do you ever finish a ‘good’ day feeling like you’ve accomplished nothing because everything still feels urgent and unfinished?
Overwhelm doesn’t just hit physicians out of nowhere; it builds quietly from carrying too many unanswered questions and subtle resistance. In this episode of Better Physician Life, Dr. Michael Hersh breaks down what overwhelm really is and what it isn’t, why it feels so heavy even on busy-but-manageable days, and the five key shifts that help physicians take back control.
You’ll learn how to treat resistance as valuable data, close the mental loose ends your brain is carrying, stop wrestling with unwanted thoughts, shift from “I can’t handle one more thing” to clear priorities, and build simple systems that reduce decision fatigue and create traction.
This isn’t about working harder or adding more hours; it’s about responding differently to what’s already in front of you so you can stop feeling like the day is running you.
Free 5-Minute Commute Reset for Physicians: betterphysicianlife.com/commute-reset
About the Show:
Created for physicians who want more than clinical competence, Better Physician Life is a space for honest reflection, reinvention, and reclaiming purpose beyond the pager.
Hosted by Dr. Michael Hersh, each episode dives into the questions we didn’t learn to ask in training, offering tools and conversations to help you live and lead with intention
Top 3 Takeaways:
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Overwhelm is not about workload; it’s about unanswered questions. Your brain treats every loose end like a threat, keeping you on high alert. Closing those mental loops, even with “I’ll decide tomorrow at 2 PM” reduces the weight dramatically.
- Resistance is information, not failure. That “ugh” feeling when opening a chart or email signals something unclear, overbooked, or exhausting. Get curious instead of judgmental, ask “What am I resisting? What’s the smallest next step?” and the pressure eases.
- Structure beats willpower. Small, consistent systems (a 5-minute EMR pause, a weekly reset, clear yes/no guidelines) reduce decision fatigue and move you from reaction mode to traction. You don’t need more time; you need fewer loose ends and better support.
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If overwhelm keeps showing up, it’s usually not about effort.
It’s too many loose ends and not enough structure.
One physician coaching call can help you sort out what actually needs attention, put simple systems in place, and stop relying on willpower to get through the day. You don't have to figure this out alone. Schedule your complimentary physician coaching call today.
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