I was really struggling. ' - I'd hit that burnout point
| Published date | 05 July 2022 |
| Publication title | Birmingham Mail (England) |
Alongside his TV work, he's a part-time NHS consultant in children's A&E - "A very rewarding job," he says, "I love doing it and I'm very lucky to be able to do it, but it can be stressful."
Having suffered from burnout five years ago, he knows the dangers of pushing himself too far at work. "That was really difficult for me to admit and it was really difficult for me to take a step back at that point," says the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant.
"Initially, it feels just like stress, but then it obviously progresses and starts to affect your life a lot more significantly. I realised that I wasn't able to give my job 100% and I was really, really struggling. For me, time management became a real problem - and it's never been a problem for me before. I had to stand back and think, 'hang on a second, something's not right' - I'd hit that burnout point."
Thankfully, he had good senior support at work and was able to take time off to get back on his feet.
"The best thing for me to do was give myself some space and breathing room to process. I'm glad I did, because it really, really helped."
But, he says, there's "too much shame and stigma attached [to burnout] - particularly for health professionals.... Sometimes we're the least likely people to ask for help".
Now, taking breaks has become key to Dr Ranj's wellness routine - on top of "a normal balanced diet, as much activity as I can, and I look after my sleep - those three things are core to everything".
But, he adds, self care "isn't just about the things I do to myself, it's the environment in which I exist" - and that's something not enough of us pay attention to, says Dr Ranj.
A new study of 2,000 people by Breville found that 46% had never heard of indoor air pollution - yet it can be harmful to our health. "Indoor air, the air that's inside our homes, can sometimes be three and a half times more polluted than outdoor air," says Dr Ranj.
The best me to do myself..breathing to
Lighting candles, using a wood-burning stove and chemical cleaning products can all contribute to poor air quality - and can generate gasses that can exacerbate underlying medical problems like, asthma, bronchiectasis or wheezing.
"Poor indoor air quality...
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