Let’s face it: we are often better at looking after others than we are looking after ourselves. But why is it so difficult to put our own proverbial oxygen mask on even when it comes to our basic physiological needs, and why is it so important that we do? These are just some of the questions that we are exploring in the conversation between Dan Tipney and host Petra Agthe. Dan Tipney is an expert in human factors with experience in a variety of professions including sports, aviation, human healthcare and veterinary medicine, and he is a returning guest on our podcast. In this episode, Dan draws on personal experiences as well as scientific background knowledge to help us bridge the gap of knowing what we should do and actually doing it by discussing many different aspects including:

0:56 A thank you to our listeners
1:23 Introduction to this episode and introducing Dan
2:44 Bridging the gap between knowing and doing of self-care
5:37 What is so important about looking after our physiological needs
8:51 Interconnection between physiological needs, emotional state and rational thinking
11:54 Our brains explained: Threatening situations and roles of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex
17:32 Understanding our challenges and focusing on the things we can control
24:00 System vs individual factors of control
25:48 Petra and Dan give personal examples of avoiding the threat state by taking control
29:52 Additional things which can help us to close the gap between knowing and doing: moving from immediate returns to long-term rewards, changing behaviours by making use of triggers, and preplanning
37:28 Overcoming barriers to self-care by seeing caring for ourselves as caring for others
41:57 About time pressures and a balanced approach to resilience
44:58 Dan's favourite resources on the topic of physiological needs
46:23 Where to find Dan and Conclusions

You may also be interested in:
Vet Mind Works Podcast Episode 4: Performance and Wellbeing - with Dan Tipney

Dan's favourite resources on this topic:
Wellbeing resources from Guys and St Thomas' Hospital: https://www.guysandstthomaseducation.com/projectsleep-looking-after-your-wellbeing/
HALT campaign resources from Vetled: https://www.vetled.co.uk/halt
Why we Sleep by Matthew Walker: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/295665/why-we-sleep-by-walker

The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is lending us a hand by helping us with editing our podcast episodes. More about VIN here.
We continue to happily fund all costs for this podcast ourselves but you show your support by donating towards a fundraising campaign in aid of a mental health project for Ukrainian veterinary colleagues hosted by the Galaxy Vets Foundation

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Want to find out more about host Petra? Follow on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay