Tips for Managing Stress and Burnout in the Pharmacy Setting.
**Tips for Managing Stress and Burnout in the Pharmacy Setting —
And Why Humour Might Be Your Best PRN**
Recently, I have been lucky enough to attend two conference sessions where the topic was stress and burnout. Both speakers did a good job relating their advice to the healthcare setting and pharmacy practice. Working in a pharmacy means juggling medications, regulations, patient expectations, and the occasional existential crisis triggered by a prior authorization. Stress and burnout aren’t just possibilities—they’re frequent visitors. Sometimes they even pull up a chair and try to live rent-free.
But there’s a powerful, underrated tool you can add to your daily routine: humour.
Not “laugh at your problems” humour—just the small, human, everyday moments of levity that make the whole shift feel lighter.
Here are some practical tips for managing stress and burnout in the pharmacy… plus how humour can help you stay afloat even on the busiest days.
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Use Humour as a Pressure Valve
Humour gives your brain a momentary break from the mental treadmill. A quick joke or shared laugh isn’t unprofessional—it’s human.
Example:
You: “The printer jammed again. Perfect, I was just thinking the day didn’t have enough drama.”
That tiny sprinkle of sarcasm? It helps release the tension.
Why it works: Laughing triggers your parasympathetic nervous system, lowers stress hormones, and signals to your brain, “We’re okay. Breathe.”
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Build a Culture of Lightheartedness with Your Team
Pharmacy teamwork is everything—and humour strengthens those bonds.
Inside jokes, funny sticky notes, silly nicknames for the robots or scanners… these little things create camaraderie, which reduces burnout.
Bonus: When your whole team shares humour, it becomes a safe place to decompress, even during chaos.
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Turn Frustrations into Funny Stories (When Appropriate)
Some situations are so absurd you have to laugh. Turning a stressful moment into a funny anecdote helps your brain process it without absorbing the negativity.
Example:
A tech might say: “A patient asked if their medication was gluten-free. It’s a cream… for their elbow.”
Sometimes the only options are to laugh or cry. Laughter is less messy.
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Celebrate Wins with a Light Humorous Touch
Even small victories deserve acknowledgement—and humour makes them memorable.
- Found the missing stock bottle? “Ladies and gentlemen, we have achieved the impossible!”
- Insurance approved something on the first try. “Call Guinness. We’ve witnessed a record.”
Humour helps reinforce the positive moments your brain would otherwise forget.
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Know When to Use Humour—And When to Be Grounded
Humour is wonderful, but emotional intelligence is key.
Use it to support teammates, lift spirits, or lighten the atmosphere—
But avoid it when a patient is upset, anxious, or needs empathy instead of entertainment.
Think of humour as a PRN medication: effective when used appropriately.
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Combine Humour with Healthy Habits for Maximum Impact
Humour works best when paired with other stress-relief strategies:
- Microbreaks: Laugh, sip water, breathe.
- Boundaries: You can’t joke your way out of chronic workload issues, so set limits where possible.
- Unplugging after work: Let your brain rest so you can come back restored.
- Team communication: Share burdens and successes—and the occasional meme.
Humour enhances these habits, making them easier and more enjoyable to maintain.
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Let Humour Remind You of Your Purpose
Pharmacy work is stressful because it matters. You catch errors, guide patients, solve puzzles, and help keep communities healthy.
Humour doesn’t diminish the seriousness of the work—it makes it sustainable.
Laughing acknowledges the challenges without letting them overpower you.
Final Dose:
Humour won’t fill the prescriptions, deal with the insurance companies, or stop the printer from jamming (nothing will). But it will help you face each day with more resilience, warmth, and perspective. Our patients come first, but we can’t do our best if we aren’t at our best.
In the pharmacy setting, humour isn’t just a coping mechanism.
It’s a lifeline. A connector. A quiet reminder that even in the busiest, most stressful moments—you’re still human, you’re still capable, and you can still find joy in the chaos.
Written by PTSA Secretary Loren Voice.