The emotional side of being a veterinary professional can be quite intense! It’s hard enough having to deal with your own feelings, let alone those of your colleagues or clients. So how can you manage? Perhaps you're looking for ways to overcome negativity or anxiety throughout the workday when dealing with a variety of situations, some more difficult than others. In this Facebook Live session, veterinary wellness advocate Dr. Marie Holowaychuk answers more excellent questions regarding...

Sometimes not feeling like yourself may be a sign that it is time to consult a mental health professional. Or perhaps someone at your clinic has expressed the need for professional support... But where should you start? Also, have you ever wondered if there is a difference between experiencing burnout and depression? In this Facebook Live session, veterinary wellness advocate Dr. Marie Holowaychuk answers three excellent questions regarding wellness. Watch the recorded session now as she...

In these challenging times, it might seem especially difficult to set boundaries and maintain work-life separation. Our fast-paced reality might also make it feel impossible to remain grounded and focused while performing everyday tasks. In this first Facebook Live session, veterinary wellness advocate Dr. Marie Holowaychuk answers two excellent questions regarding wellness. Watch the recorded session now as she shares some amazing tips on how to recognize and manage burnout, as well as how to...

A co-worker of yours has shown changes in her behaviour that are impacting patient and client care. She is avoiding cases in the clinic, seems detached from the team, and is complaining of sleep problems at home. Answer: Compassion fatigue Compassion fatigue can affect any individual working in caregiving professions and is characterized by profound emotional and physical exhaustion that impacts a person in and outside of the workplace. Signs at work can range from dissociation and apathy to...

There seem to be more blog posts, articles, and documentaries on organization, clearing clutter, and tidying up living spaces. And with spring right around the corner, cleaning tends to be on people’s minds. Answer: Several studies back the premise that keeping things clean and orderly fosters physical and mental health. In fact, people with clean houses are healthier and more active than people with messy houses. Additionally, people who make their beds every morning are more likely to...

Your colleague goes out of town leaving you to manage one of her long-term patients. You make decisions to the best of your ability, but when your colleague returns, she questions your choices and insists she would have done things differently. You want to discuss this with her but are uncertain how without getting defensive or becoming argumentative. Answer: Information conflict Information conflict occurs when people have different ideas, opinions, or viewpoints, or disagree about a...

Although 2021 is well under way, many of us are still looking to make changes after the trying year that 2020 turned out to be. Resolutions like getting back to exercise, eating more healthfully, and getting finances in order are top of mind among Canadians. Answer: Creating healthy habits Surveys suggest that resolutions set at the beginning of the year rarely last beyond February. On the other hand, if a person can create healthy habits (or conquer unhealthy ones), there is a much higher...

This year, it’s safe to say that we should all prepare for an unconventional holiday season. Along with the usual holiday-related pressures we have to manage, feelings of anxiety and sadness might also surface when deciding whether or not to get together with family and friends to celebrate the festivities. In these especially trying times, it is important now more than ever to focus on ways to preserve mental and physical health. Find out more by watching this video featuring veterinary...

Veterinary professionals are known for taking their work home - whether physically, mentally or both - often spending time thinking about the day’s events, rather than making time for self-care or to enjoy non-work-related activities with loved ones. Although it might not always be possible to avoid talking or thinking about work when at home, there are ways to encourage work-life separation by disengaging from work and fully connecting with family and friends. It’s more than simply creating a...