4 Tips for Achieving Work-Life Balance in the Veterinary Field
Updated: Dec 30, 2023
As rewarding as it is to be doing what you love, working in the veterinary industry can be incredibly demanding. From maintaining records and managing a bustling schedule to caring for and checking on patients, there’s always something to be done. And if your practice accepts emergency visits, even more so. Some days, it can seem like the concept of work-life balance is impossible to achieve. If you or your team struggle in this area, as so many in our industry do, here are a few things to consider.
Why Work-Life Balance Matters
First, let’s explore a few of the many benefits that come from achieving a healthy balance between your professional life and your personal life. In other words – here’s why you should care:
Less stress means improved mental health;
Having time to exercise and eat better leads to better physical health;
Improves and strengthens personal relationships;
Increases engagement and performance at work;
Boosts creative thinking;
Provides a greater sense of fulfilment and contentedness.
Here’s how to achieve all of these things…
Get Comfortable Saying ‘No’
There will certainly be times when you’ll have to work past your normal working hours. Veterinary medicine simply isn’t a 9-5 job. That said, it shouldn’t be something you’re doing on the regular. Likewise, taking on too much work during the day can leave you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, which can impact the quality of your performance and ultimately harm the client experience. Know when to say ‘no’ and get comfortable doing so.
Don’t Take Work Home
Speaking of work, once you head home for the day, try to leave whatever it was you were working on behind you. Easier said than done? Sure. But it’s important if you want to achieve more balance in your life. If your time spent with family is overshadowed by constant thoughts about work, nobody will benefit. Do your best to compartmentalize as much as you can so you can be in the moment and genuinely enjoy your time outside of the clinic.
Prioritize Self-Care
Taking care of others is a core part of your job. You care for your patients. You support your clients and your colleagues. At the end of the day, it’s easy to feel like there’s nothing left to give. But caring for your own needs is critical to your ongoing mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Allow yourself opportunities to relax, whether it’s through meditation, yoga or simply sitting in a quiet room with a cup of coffee. Take up a hobby or two that will help you focus on something other than work.
Ask for Help and/or Delegate
If you’re in a position of management, delegating some of your tasks to others on the team is essential to helping you gain more balance. You’ve worked hard to source and retain highly talented individuals. Trust them to pull some weight when it makes sense. If you’re not in a position of leadership, don’t be afraid to ask your colleagues for a helping hand once in a while. It’s not a sign of weakness. In fact, it’ll only serve to strengthen communication and trust amongst team, so go for it!
Striking a balance between work and home life can be challenging for anyone, but in the veterinary industry it’s doubly so. It’s important to remember that while this may be your chosen career – and certainly one that you’re passionate about, it’s not your entire life. Try putting the above tips into action and see if you can achieve a healthier exchange between yourself as a professional and yourself as a person. The peace, health and wellbeing that will follow will make it well worth the effort.
Our Tips, Tricks, and Expert Advice
Why does work-life balance matter in the veterinary field?
Work-life balance in the veterinary field reduces stress, improves mental and physical health, strengthens relationships, enhances work performance and creativity, and increases fulfilment.
Why is it important to avoid taking work home in the veterinary field?
Not taking work home allows veterinarians to fully engage in personal life and relationships, fostering a healthier work-life balance and preventing burnout.
How does prioritizing self-care help maintain a work-life balance in the veterinary profession?
Prioritizing self-care fosters mental, physical, and emotional well-being, enabling veterinarians to manage stress, avoid burnout, and deliver better patient care.
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