By Brandon Hess, CVPM, CCFP
Take a vacation, it really is that “simple”. Yet, not taking vacations is one of the biggest contributors to excessive Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in veterinary medicine. Dr. Figley, who coined the term Compassion Fatigue, actually says that you have to “take time away from being a caregiver in order to recover from Compassion Fatigue.” I get it, we are helpers/ caregivers and the last thing we want to do is feel like we are not pulling our weight, or dumping work on our peers. If you had a loved one that was exhausted from work, what would you suggest? I’d venture to say you’d recommend they take a vacation, so let’s look at two different ways to take your own advice.
Vacations
When most people think of vacations they think of taking an extended amount of time off, and going to a destination. We have to think outside of the box, and consider alternative definitions of vacations. A vacation could be as simple as taking a Friday and Monday off so that you have a 4-day weekend. Or, just take off one of those days and have a 3-day weekend. Do not stress over the need to always take a week or more off to get a break from the work you do. A few extended weekends every few months is a perfect way to obtain some “more than usual” time away from work.
Staycations
One of the best “vacations” I ever had was when everyone thought I was out of the country, but I was actually at home all week due to a last-minute change of plans. This staycation was one of the most productive and rejuvenating times I had in a while. It cost me very little, and still achieved the need for “time away from being a caregiver” like Dr. Figley says we need. If you decide to try a staycation you must do everything possible to avoid working. It’s not much of a vacation (or staycation) if you go into work to check on patients, or answer work emails while you’re out.
Quality of time away from work is more important than quantity of time away from work. While answering emails from a beach is always better than answering them from an office, this is not good work-life-balance. When work runs over into your life time it becomes the perfect recipe for burnout. Whether it’s a vacation, or staycation, make sure you take time for yourself and your family. Or, in the words of your friendly flight attendants: “Please ensure you secure your own oxygen masks before helping those around you.”