Stress Management Resources

Staff Meeting in a Box

Need staff meeting ideas? Welcome to our Staff Meeting in a Box! Each month, we provide a full staff meeting worth of materials on a particular topic, taking all of the planning off of your shoulders!

This month’s topic is stress management. By clicking on the link below, you will be directed to our online platform, where you will have access to a 20 minute video, created by Carol Hurst, as well as several downloadable resources for your staff!

Wellness Tip of the Month

Employee Handbook Tip of the Month

It is demotivating to our teams when they have no clear sense of professional development within your hospital. You don’t have to go into exhaustive detail but make it apparent in your employee manual that you have a clear and concise plan for ensuring your team continues growing.

Outline in your manual when any formal coaching or evaluations sessions will take place along with any other pertinent details. For example:

“Upon hire, each employee will be started on their professional development plan. This plan will consist of training levels associated with their position followed by formal evaluations. ABC Clinic also performs quarterly goal assessments and annual performance reviews. Wage increases are tied to completion of the training levels and overall performance.”

Managing Your Stress: Is Work-Life Balance Attainable?

By Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, VLCE Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. This is something we, as veterinary professionals can relate to on a regular basis, not to mention...

Book Review/Recommendation

 

Title: Thrive The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder 

Author: Arianna Huffington

Available on Amazon.com for $12.89
I was so glad to have this book recommended in response to our Stress Management theme. For me, it hits the core of what I’ve had to focus on post-baby. For veterinary medicine, it represents what we need in the industry.
Veterinary medicine is notorious for having perfectionists among our ranks. It is my hypothesis that this is one of the main reasons why we work ourselves so hard. The mindset for many years (and even currently for a lot of clinic) is that working yourself to the point of exhaustion is something to be praised. I know a lot of managers who specifically look for those who have little to no restrictions, who don’t rock the boat with personal needs and accomodations. Those that have a personal life that enroaches too much on the clinic are seen as less desirable an employee.

Thankfully, there is a mental shift happening. I can see in my colleagues and I can see it in practices.

This book validates that thought. The thought that it is okay to set those boundaries. The concept seems fundamental. that there is more to life than money and success. However, I felt like the problem is raging enough, both in veterinary medicine and in life in general that it was important enough to hone in on.

I recommend this book if you are looking to give yourself a reason to slow down. If you are looking for back-up when it comes to having a more balanced life. This book would also be good for anyone currently feeling overwhelmed. It helps you get your head in the right space for making decisions (sometimes tough ones) that will be needed to balance the scales.

– Carol Hurst

Take The Stress Out of Training!

Our newest product has arrived! The Ultimate Veterinary Assistant Workbook is an excellent tool for training your veterinary assistants. The workbook includes extensive phase training checklists, assignments, infographics, a nearly 200-page glossary of veterinary medical terminology, and more! Also available as a bundle pack of 6 workbooks!

Vet Med After Hours Podcast

Episode 30: “Transparency Equals Trust”

Recipe: Brown Bag Balanced Sammy

This sandwich is sure to bring you lots of energy during a busy workday! It’s easy to make and fits any dietary lifestyle, based on the bread that you choose (gluten-free option)

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 Tablespoons of your favprite hummus
  • 1/2 cup of spinach or baby kale
  • 1/4 of a cucumber, sliced thin
  • 1/2 an avocado
  • Thinly sliced red onion, to taste
  • Salt, pepper, and oregano flakes to taste
  • Bread of choice (ciabatta roll, whole wheat tortilla, French baguette or gluten free bun)

Directions:

On your choice of bread, spread the hummus on half the bread. Add spinach or kale, sliced cucumber, and sliced onion. Squeeze avocado out of its peel, smashing the avocado as you go. Spread it on the other half of the bread. Sprinkle both halves with salt, pepper and oregano to taste. Wrap it up and add a side of fruit for a nutritious lunch on-the-go!