STOP!!!

By Gunila Pedersen • April 9, 2026 • 2 min read

STOP!

Don't try to ignore how you're feeling.

Don't try to run away from it by working more, eating more, drinking more, distracting yourself on social.

HERE is HOW, if you're like me and it doesn't come easy to you to find out what the hell is going on:

1. WHERE in your body are you feeling it? Stomach, chest, throat, head?

2. HOW does it feel? Heavy, light, pressure, warm, cold?

3. BREATHE into it. Don't try to make it go away.

For example, my anxiety feels like a tightening of my throat. I get pressure around my thorax, and sometimes I literally get chest pains (to the point of going to the emergency room before I realised it was just a feeling). I get a heavy, cold knot in my stomach, as if I was carrying around a bit, cold, heavy rock. I breathe really shallow and fast.

Once you stop trying to push it away, and just breathe in to it, you will likely feel better. Or not. And it's ok to have a "negative" feeling. We all have them 50% of the time.

But trying to avoid these feelings takes a lot of effort! Like trying to push a beach ball underwater. And they tend to accumulate and make us feel even worse.

One last thing.

Check in on the people around you.

Let them know you care.

Often the most smiley ones are trying really, really hard to push that beachball down.

If you, like me, tend to just push through and work harder in order to feel better, and you're realising it's actually not helping, reach out for a free coaching session.

I'll help you describe and process your feelings, so you can learn to let go of that beachball 🏐.

In your corner,

Ready to fall back in love with Vet Med?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or doubting yourself — I get it. I've been there. Here's how I can help:

Book a Free 50-Minute Coaching Session — Let's chat about where you are and where you want to be. Book here
Download the Free Burnout Guide — 10 ways to overcome burnout in the veterinary clinic. Get it here
Explore the Happy in Vet Med Programme — Beat burnout and imposter syndrome. Learn more

You don't have to do this alone.