The Dreaded Call

It’s 6 pm on Saturday evening. You are home with your partner and 13 year old daughter, dinner is in the oven and you’ve all decided on a movie to watch together (after much debate on the actual movie title). The phone rings and because you’re on call (of course, like always…) you immediately get the sinking feeling your evening is about to fall apart.

After a few minutes on the phone and a little back and forth texting/emailing of pictures it becomes clear that this animal doesn’t need emergent medical care from you. So … you give your client some things to do in the short term, schedule it for a full examination on Monday, and advise the client call back if there are more changes in the next 36 hours. Does any of this feel or sound familiar?

What does this entire scenario do to your stress level? Do you let it control and alter the course of an otherwise “relaxed and domestic dinner/movie night”? Do you get angry at the client? Angry at yourself for never getting a night away? Do you stomp around grumbling about hating your job, or hating clients?

STOP! Don’t let your mind run away into the negative oblivion. You have control of this. Wait 10 seconds, take 5–10 deep diaphragmatic breaths, visualize yourself in the driver’s seat of the situation, and think of 2–3 things you are grateful for. What good do any of those tips do?? Read on:

1. The 10 seconds will give your brain a moment to reset and realize that phone call isn’t actually the “bear in the woods” trying to consume you (remember Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant)

2. Diaphragmatic breaths are those that engage your vagal response, putting you into a more parasympathetic state. Practice by placing one hand on your chest and one on your abdomen; now breathe in for 4 seconds (only moving your hand on your belly), hold for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds (again focus on only moving the hand on your abdomen), hold for 4 seconds. Repeat that cycle 5–10 times and we guarantee your blood pressure will be reduced.

3. Positive visualization has been shown time and time again to improve outcomes. Major sports stars include visualization in their training programs.

4. Expressions of gratitude are shown to have a positive impact on mindset and who couldn’t benefit from a more positive outlook, particularly with family and friends?

The next time you’re enjoying time with family only to get interrupted by the dreaded on call curse … remember you have control of your response. Set a good example for your family and friends (especially your daughter) by taking a few seconds to collect yourself before you fly off the handle. We are all in this together. We are all representing our profession as a whole; be mindful of how you represent yourself and the rest of us. If you, or someone you know, needs help in learning to control your stress response reach us at www.highperfliving.com or life@highperfliving.com

Visit High Performance Living to learn more about how Ryan Smith and Dr. Jen Quammen Help Veterinary Professionals THRIVE in life, love and career.

High Performance Living

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“Helping Veterinarians THRIVE in life, love, and career”

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