What do you need?
Vetlife Health Support advise paying attention to the following factors if you are seeking to create a “personal first aid kit”. But they stress that anyone who thinks they might have clinical depression should contact a healthcare professional such as their GP, or indeed they can contact Vetlife Health Support for advice about how to access the right care.
- Good sleep hygiene
- Healthy eating
- Adequate hydration
- Exercise
“Exercise is like fertilizer for the brain … it’s so good, it’s like Miracle Gro.”
Dr John Ratey, Harvard brain researcher - Relaxation
- Maintain relationships that matter to you – social media or texting are no match for face-to-face quality time, but being connected to other people, including over social media, is much better than isolating yourself
- Do things you might enjoy – even if you stop getting joy from these things temporarily, keep doing the things you have enjoyed in the past. Learning new activities also encourages social interaction and may increase self-esteem and feelings of competency. Having interests outside of veterinary work makes you less vulnerable to reduced wellbeing if you are having problems at work, because your life won’t revolve around that single component
- Establish what your working hours and conditions will be and what support you will be given before you take a job – particularly if you are new to the profession
Are you aware of your level of self care? – dvm360.com tool
