Vetnews | Maart 2026 42 « BACK TO CONTENTS Influential Life Coaching THE BALANCE THAT IS ELUSIVE Dr Mats Abatzidis B.Sc. B.V.Sc. New Insights Certified VIP Life Coach mats.abatzidis@yahoo.co.za Founder of Influential Life Coaching http://www.matsaba.wix.com/drmatscoach Author of the published book “Life outside your comfort zone. Better and beyond all expectations”. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=searchalias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Abatzidis http://www.life-coach-directory.co.za/mats-abatzidis Vet's Health I Life Coaching Greetings everyone, and hope that it has been a wonderful and reenergised start to 2026! Veterinary medicine is a calling, not just a career. You show up for animals and their owners on their best days and their worst. You navigate medical uncertainty, emotional clients, long hours, and often, limited resources—whether in private practice, field work, or government roles like state veterinary services. That sense of duty is powerful, but it also comes with a cost: exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and the quiet feeling that your own life is shrinking around your work. Self‑care and healthy routines can sound like vague buzzwords, especially when your schedule feels out of control. But they are not luxuries. They are practical tools that protect your health, sustain your empathy, and ultimately make you better at your job. Below are concise, realistic strategies tailored to veterinary professionals—along with the benefits of each—to help you build a more balanced, sustainable life. 1. Start with One Small, Non‑Negotiable Habit Instead of trying to overhaul your life, choose one simple daily habit you commit to every day, no matter how busy you are. Examples: • Drinking a full glass of water first thing in the morning • Taking a 10‑minute walk after lunch • Doing 5 minutes of stretching when you get home • Spending 10 minutes reading something non‑work‑related before bed Why it helps: A consistent habit gives structure to your day amid unpredictability, builds a sense of control and competence, and creates a “keystone” behaviour that makes other healthy choices easier. 2. Protect Your Sleep Like a Critical Patient Sleep often becomes the first casualty of busy clinics, emergency calls, or field inspections. But chronic sleep deprivation erodes medical judgment, reaction time, mood, and immune function. Practical ways to improve sleep: • Aim for a consistent bedtime and wake time—even on days off • Create a short pre‑sleep routine: dim lights, no work emails, no medical literature • Avoid screens 30–60 minutes before bed, or use blue‑light filters • Keep the bedroom as dark, cool, and quiet as possible Why it helps: Better sleep sharpens clinical reasoning and decision‑making, improves patience with clients/colleagues/yourself, and reduces susceptibility to burnout and emotional exhaustion. 3. Build Micro‑Breaks into Your Workday You may not control your caseload or call volume, but you can usually control a few minutes at a time. Micro‑breaks—30 seconds to 3 minutes—can make a measurable difference. Ideas for micro‑breaks: • Take three slow, deep breaths between appointments or calls • Step outside for 2 minutes between cases to change your environment • Gently stretch your neck, shoulders, and back at your workstation • Drink water and do a quick posture check between records Why it helps: Short, intentional pauses lower stress hormones and muscle tension, improve focus and reduce errors, and help you “reset” emotionally before the next patient or interaction. 4. Set Boundaries Around“Off‑Duty”Time Work can easily bleed into every corner of your life. Boundaries don’t mean you care less—they mean you’re preserving your ability to keep caring. Simple boundary practices: • Designate specific times you check work emails and stick to them • Turn off non‑urgent notifications during personal time • If you are on call, define what truly requires immediate attention • Communicate your availability clearly to colleagues and clients
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