EP 172: How Do I Balance My Work & Life?

Are you a veterinarian struggling to find a work-life balance? In this episode of "So You're a Vet, Now What?" podcast, Dr. Moriah McCauley interviews Dr. Danielle Alleman to uncover the secrets to achieving harmony between your professional and personal life. Dr. Danielle Alleman is a decorated veterinarian having served in the industry for several years now and in several companies, organizations, and roles. She has experience as a Relief Veterinarian at VetIQ and Alleman Veterinary Relief Services and also as an Associate Veterinarian at Quincy Veterinary Clinic and Kulshan Veterinary Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and obtained her Doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. This was followed by a  Master of Science degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. Dr. Alleman currently serves as the CEO of Empathos Veterinary Wellness and the Relief Veterinarian at Alleman Veterinary Relief Services. Dr. Alleman knows firsthand the challenges that come with being a veterinarian and juggling her personal life. She understands that finding a true balance may be difficult, but she believes that it's all about finding a middle ground that feels sustainable. During this conversation, Dr. Alleman shares her own experience as a new graduate, where she found herself completely consumed by work. But she soon realized the importance of rediscovering her hobbies and interests outside of veterinary medicine. She encourages new graduates to explore different activities and areas of interest to find what brings joy and balance to their lives. One of the key takeaways from this discussion is the importance of setting boundaries. Dr. Alleman advises against checking work-related emails or engaging with work-related tasks during personal time. By creating clear boundaries and disconnecting from work, veterinarians can better separate their professional and personal lives. But it's not just about disconnecting from work; it's also about finding activities that bring you joy and help you reduce stress. Dr. Alleman shares her personal experience of going on a ski trip and how it helped her shift her focus away from work. Engaging in activities that create a state of flow, where time seems to fly by and the mind feels lighter, can greatly improve mental health and contribute to achieving work-life balance. Tune in to get more understanding of what real work-life balance means.Episode Outline ● [00:00] Episode Intro ● [03:17] How do you approach the topic of work-life balance? ● [04:42] Finding hobbies and interests outside of veterinary medicine ● [07:57] Leaving work at work ● [11:07] Finding ways to de-stress ● [11:35] Programing yourself to the free mental state ● [12:28] Advice to new and recent veterinary graduates on creating work-life balance ● [13:46] Episode wrap up ● [14:14] The end Connect with Dr. Danielle Alleman ● LinkedIn ● Instagram ● Website