The Heartful Vet

The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for veterinary professionals, it can feel anything but. Between the surge in appointments, long hours, emotional cases, and personal obligations, the holidays can exacerbate an already stressful profession. Burnout, which is common in the veterinary field, often peaks during this time, leaving vets and staff feeling drained, overwhelmed, and unable to fully enjoy the season.

If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. Here’s a guide to understanding burnout and practical strategies for protecting your well-being during the holiday rush.

Why Burnout Peaks During the Holidays

1. Increased Workload: Emergency visits, holiday hazards (like toxic foods or foreign body ingestion), and end-of-year scheduling crunches often lead to longer, busier days.

2. Emotional Fatigue: The holidays bring heightened emotions, both from clients and within ourselves. Handling end-of-life cases, emotional clients, and the pressure to deliver holiday miracles can be especially taxing.

3. Personal Demands: Balancing family obligations, gift shopping, and holiday events on top of a demanding work schedule can lead to a sense of being pulled in every direction.

4. Unrealistic Expectations: Veterinary professionals are often perfectionists, and the holidays amplify the pressure to meet everyone’s needs—clients, pets, coworkers, and family.

Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

Burnout isn’t just feeling tired after a long shift. It’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that can lead to:

• Emotional detachment from clients, patients, or colleagues

• Irritability or frustration over minor issues

• Physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, or fatigue

• Decreased job satisfaction, feeling like your work doesn’t matter

• Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks

• Feeling hopeless or resentful about your workload or career

Acknowledging these signs is the first step toward taking action.

Strategies for Combating Holiday Burnout

1. Set Boundaries at Work

• Advocate for realistic scheduling and communicate your limits with your team.

• If possible, avoid taking on extra shifts during the holiday season unless you truly want to.

• Practice saying “no” to non-urgent cases or additional responsibilities when your plate is full.

2. Prioritize Self-Care

• Physical Health: Even during busy weeks, prioritize eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, and getting as much sleep as possible.

• Mental Health: Take short breaks during your shift to step outside, practice deep breathing, or do a mindfulness exercise.

• Emotional Health: Journaling or talking to a trusted friend or therapist can help process emotions and reduce stress.

3. Lean on Your Team

• Foster a culture of mutual support within your clinic. Acknowledge that everyone is feeling the holiday strain and work together to share the load.

• Check in on your colleagues and encourage open communication about stress levels.

4. Make Time for What Fills Your Cup

• Whether it’s spending time with family, baking cookies, or going for a quiet walk with your dog, carve out time for activities that bring you joy.

• Even small moments of holiday cheer can go a long way in counterbalancing stress.

5. Focus on Gratitude

• Reflect on the positives, such as the pets you’ve helped, the clients who’ve expressed appreciation, and the camaraderie within your team.

• Gratitude doesn’t erase burnout, but it can help shift your perspective.

6. Seek Professional Help If Needed

• Burnout, especially if it’s chronic, can lead to more serious mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety. If you’re struggling, consider reaching out to a mental health professional.

• Many veterinary organizations offer support programs for vets and staff. In Canada, resources like the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Wellness Initiative can connect you with confidential help.

Creating a Supportive Environment for the Whole Team

If you’re a practice owner or manager, you play a critical role in reducing burnout for your team:

• Be proactive in identifying signs of burnout among your staff.

• Encourage time off and create a schedule that distributes holiday workloads as evenly as possible.

• Recognize and celebrate your team with gestures of appreciation, whether it’s a holiday lunch, gift cards, or simply expressing gratitude for their hard work.

You’re Not Alone

The veterinary profession is uniquely rewarding but also uniquely challenging—especially during the holiday season. If you’re feeling burned out, remember that you’re not alone, and it’s okay to prioritize your well-being. Pets and their families need you at your best, but you can’t pour from an empty cup.

This holiday season, let’s give ourselves the gift of compassion, self-care, and support for one another. Together, we can navigate the challenges of the season and continue to do the meaningful work that makes our profession so special.

Wishing you peace, strength, and joy this holiday season.