Just one thing: Eat your lunch outside

Veterinary clinics are symphonies of sound: phones ringing, monitors beeping, clippers buzzing, air compressors whirring, conversations overlapping, and the joyful chaos of animals using their voices to say hello.

Step outside for at least 15 minutes and give yourself, your ears, and your brain a break.

Much of the time, that hum can be part of what we love about veterinary life: identifying, investigating, and resolving problems. By and large, animals get healthier, clients leave happier, and we strengthen bonds with our teammates.

But by hour nine or 10, even for those of us who thrive on stimulation, it can be a lot.

So this week, why not challenge yourself to do this one thing to give yourself a sensory break?

Eat your lunch outside.

Step outside for at least 15 minutes and give yourself, your ears, and your brain a break from the indoor environment. Let the fresh air, shifting clouds, and quieter sounds of the outdoor world offer you a reset. With the heat of summer behind us and winter yet to come, fall is the perfect time to start this habit.

It's easy to put this off until you have the perfect gazebo, a shaded table, or your favorite iced beverage in your favorite cup. If you have those, fantastic. But don't let the lack of a perfect setup stop you. Toss a folding chair in your car and take your 15 minutes next to your trunk, or find an open sidewalk bench, if there's no other place. It may not look like a movie scene, but even the rough-and-ready version will give you a few moments of peace, a chance to refuel, and perhaps a clearer mind for the rest of your day.

Take your break. Eat your lunch outside. Come back nourished, refreshed, and ready for what's next.