Veterinarians: Unplug from the Matrix now

Veterinary professionals have gotten wise about protecting their physical and emotional health to combat burnout, compassion fatigue and other serious problems that follow you home from the clinic. Yet Fetch dvm360 conference speaker Dave Nicol, BVMS, MRCVS, still sees a problem and it has to do with our inescapable smartphone obsession, a connection with technology which he likens to the film The Matrix.

See if this sounds familiar: Just before going to sleep and first thing when you wake up-even before your coffee-you glance at your phone to check the time and you're bombarded with social media and other notifications. And suddenly you're sucked into the stories, the photos-and possibly the problems-of friends, family and maybe even clients.

Beat down burnout

First, make sure you recognize the signs.

Then get proactive, with four steps to get those monkeys off your back ...

... and five quick burnout busters.

"We're plugged in and getting a constant stream of an alternate reality that's subduing our conscious thought and creative processes and leading us to have a life that is very different from the one we should be able to enjoy," Nicol says.

Doesn't seem healthy, does it?

The good news is that, unlike Morpheus and Trinity, you can easily unplug. Dr. Nicol says to simply leave your phone away from the bedside and if you need to know the time, try a different piece of technology: one of those old-fashioned alarm clocks.

Watch the video to hear more.

You. Can. Do. This!

At Fetch dvm360 conference, we're the support system you need. With every conference this year, we intend to nurture your mind (meaning quality CE for days) while also encouraging you to take stock of your physical and emotional health. Register now.