Being a healthcare provider is a calling. It’s a career built on compassion, service, and long days filled with patient care, decision-making, and sometimes, emotional exhaustion. As a dentist, I love what I do—helping people feel confident in their smiles and healthier in their lives. But over the years, I’ve learned that what I do outside the dental office is just as important as what I do inside it.

It’s easy to become consumed by the demands of a healthcare career. That’s why finding time for hobbies—especially ones that bring joy, peace, and a sense of connection—isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline. For me, two things stand out: hiking and my rescue dog. They may seem simple, but they’ve taught me lessons about life, balance, and even how I show up for my patients.

Rediscovering the Outdoors: My Path to Peace

Hiking didn’t start as a big, dramatic lifestyle change. It began with short walks on local trails in New Jersey, often just to clear my head after a long day. But before long, I realized those walks were doing something powerful—they were giving me space. Space to breathe, think, and be present.

Dentistry requires constant attention to detail, and that focus doesn’t always turn off at the end of the day. Hiking, however, demands a different kind of presence. Out on a trail, surrounded by trees and birdsong, I’m not thinking about tomorrow’s root canal or paperwork. I’m focused on the crunch of gravel underfoot, the feel of the wind, the rhythm of my breath. It’s a form of moving meditation.

Some of my favorite hikes are the quiet, winding trails through Watchung Reservation or the scenic paths in South Mountain. Whether I go solo or with a friend, I always return feeling lighter, calmer, and recharged. It’s not just exercise—it’s restoration.

Lessons from a Rescue Dog

Adopting my rescue dog was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. He came into my life timid and unsure, a little rough around the edges, but full of potential. And honestly, I think we helped each other heal in different ways.

Caring for a rescue pet teaches patience, empathy, and unconditional love—all traits that translate beautifully into a healthcare setting. When I work with anxious patients or children who are nervous about treatment, I remember how trust takes time. I remember that gentleness and consistency matter.

Beyond that, my dog simply brings joy. He makes me laugh. He forces me to slow down, step outside, and play. And on the toughest days, his tail wags remind me that sometimes the best therapy doesn’t involve words at all.

Why Hobbies Matter for Healthcare Providers

It’s not uncommon for those of us in healthcare to forget our own needs while tending to others. But hobbies are not distractions—they’re essential tools for wellness. They remind us that we are more than our titles, more than our to-do lists, more than our scrubs or lab coats.

Engaging in activities outside of work helps us:

• Prevent burnout by reducing stress and offering mental resets.
  
• Build resilience through creativity, movement, or connection.
  
• Stay grounded by reconnecting with nature, animals, or ourselves.
  
• Strengthen relationships by sharing experiences with friends and family.
  

In short, hobbies fill the emotional and spiritual well that we draw from all day long in our professional lives.

Creating Space for Joy

I used to feel guilty about taking time for myself. There was always one more chart to review, one more patient to call, one more email to return. But I’ve come to realize that protecting time for joy is not selfish—it’s sustainable. When I hike regularly or spend a lazy Sunday morning walking my dog, I show up on Monday more present, patient, and productive.

If you’re a healthcare provider reading this, I want to encourage you to reconnect with the things that bring you peace. It doesn’t have to be hiking or pets. Maybe it’s painting, baking, gardening, cycling, playing piano, or reading novels. Whatever it is, honor it. Make time for it. Your mental health and professional effectiveness depend on it.

Life Outside the Practice Is Still Part of the Practice

The more I’ve leaned into my hobbies, the more I’ve realized how much they shape the way I practice dentistry. I’m more compassionate with my patients because I’ve practiced patience with my dog. I’m more balanced in my decisions because I’ve taken the time to clear my mind on a hike. I’m more connected with others because I’ve stayed connected to myself.

In the end, being a great healthcare provider isn’t just about what we know or how skilled we are. It’s also about how grounded, joyful, and whole we feel. And that comes from living a full life—one with room for the people, places, and passions that light us up.

Final Thoughts

When I hang up my lab coat at the end of the day, I’m still Dr. Roberts—but I’m also Jolee. I’m a hiker. A dog mom. A lover of quiet trails and muddy paw prints. And I believe that these parts of me make me not just a better dentist, but a better human.

To every healthcare professional trying to find that elusive balance: make space for what you love. Prioritize your joy. Step outside, adopt the dog, plant the garden, take the class. Life is richer when we live it fully—and your patients, your loved ones, and your own heart will thank you for it.