Yoga nidra, also known as "yogic sleep," is a powerful technique from the ancient yogic tradition that induces a state of deep relaxation while maintaining awareness. Research demonstrates that those who practise yoga nidra have enhanced activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, as well as reduced symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Yoga nidra offers numerous benefits for veterinary care providers, including stress reduction, improved sleep, and mind-body integration. This...

Feeling stressed about a conversation with a difficult client? Or anxious before going into a challenging surgery? Or stuck ruminating on a tense moment with a coworker that occurred the day before? Breathing exercises are a simple and easy way for you to calm your central nervous system and deactivate the fight or flight response. Watch this video and listen as veterinary wellness advocate and Thrive! collaborator, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk guides you through FIVE quick breathing exercises that...

The practice of mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce burnout, enhance self-care, decrease mistakes, and improve focus among healthcare providers. When practiced routinely, mindfulness also has mental and physical health benefits including reduced depression and anxiety, enhanced energy, and improved cardiovascular health. This 20-minute mindfulness meditation session is brought to you by Thrive! and guided by Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, CYT. Listen to Dr. Marie’s voice as...

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...

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...

Mental health has become a relevant and common topic of discussion with Mental Health Awareness Month, Bell Let’s Talk, and other initiatives aiming to educate, raise awareness, break the silence and end the stigma. More than simply ‘hanging in there’ or ‘thinking positively’, it’s about changing the way people see and talk about mental health to strip away the shame and acknowledge how difficult it is to overcome the disease. It is also about encouraging people to seek help and support if and...