I have been complimented by coworkers on how I manage my work-life balance. It's extremely important in my field to understand and enforce work-life balance. Burnout and compassion fatique is a real problem in veterinary medicine. You need to know how to set boundaries, manage your time, and say no.
Here's a few things that I do on a regular basis:
1) Set boundaries. Between certain hours during the week, I do everything work related, but once 6pm hits, I no longer check emails and I'm typically on my way home to work. I may work through lunch, do fit-in appointments, check emails, take televet consults, and answer phone calls, but I have no problem staying busy during work.
2) Manage your time. I wake up early enough so that I'm not rushing to get dressed or eat breakfast in the morning. I even try to get work a few minutes early in order to preview my appointments and see how my day is going to go. I will review each patient's history to make sure I am prepared. I make sure my assistant gets a thorough current history; and while I am talking to the owner, I am writting my SOAP. I have a SOAP template that I fill in in order to expedite my notes, as well as keeping things consistent. Most of the time, I will call or email the owner back later that day or the next day with the results of any tests performed, unless the patient is critical and we need to wait on the results for next steps.
3) Set emotional boundaries. We do receive some trying cases that can take an emotional toll on us. The challenge is to remain compassionate, empathetic, and supportive of our patients and clients without becoming overly involved and taking on their pain. This is what can contribute to compassion fatigue.
4) Say no. Say it. Be selfish - you need to put your own needs first. If you are overworked, but then asked to take on more, stand up for yourself and say no. If you're asked to come in on your day off, but you really need a day of self-care, then say no. I'm not saying to always say no when asked to do something, but if you're risking your mental, emotional, or physical health, then say no. Be assertive but courteous and polite.
5) Let go of perfectionism. Nobody is perfect, so why stress to be? All that is expected of you is your best. You can't do it all, so let go of the thought of trying to. Strive to do your best, not perfection.
6) Self-care. Take care of yourself, don't go to work when your sick, make sure to get plently of rest, eat healthy, and drink plently of water. Unplug, exericise, mediate, do your favorite hobbies, and take vacations. There's only one you, spoil yourself.
Common signs of compassion fatigue are: feelings of burden, isolation, guilt, insomnia, trouble concentrating and a sense of hopelessness. Some more severe symptoms can include depression and substance abuse. Please contact someone if you're having any of these signs, and take care of yourself.
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