Are YOU Creating Your own Stress
Stress and overwhelm are real issues facing the dental industry that no dentist should ignore. Burn out rates and stress-related illnesses among dental professionals are at an all-time high and rapidly increasing every day.
Stress is such an prevalent issue that recent studies show that stress-related cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of dental professionals.
That is something to pay attention to. So, we will repeat that again.
The #1 killer of dentists is stress-related cardiovascular disease.
What does this mean?
It means that knowing how to manage stress and learning effective ways to reduce stress is not only essential but potentially life-saving.
In this blog, we share 5 stress management tips and habits that you can practice to help manage and reduce stress. Some of these you might already be practicing and if so, awesome…keep it up! Others might be new and, for those, we ask you to keep an open mind.
The goal of stress management is to learn these new habits before your body gets to its stress threshold and starts making you sick. It requires daily practice and a commitment to your health.
Five Easy Steps To Reduce Stress & Overwhelm
Stay Present:
Most of our human stress happens when we are worrying about the future or fretting about the past. Managing a dental practice you have a lot of responsibility and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all that you have to do. Yet, when you can adopt a mindfulness approach to your day and take it moment by moment into your dental practice, you are better equipped to respond to the chaotic and unplanned moments of your day with presence, focus, and groundedness. Being in the present moment increasing productivity and helps keep you focused. Practicing this habit will also reduce your heart rate and lower your blood pressure which your body will thank you for, we promise!
Take A Break:
Hustle and hard work are words we hear every day as dental professionals but we offer some other words that are just as important and essential to staying in the #longgame with your business. Vacations! Lunch Breaks!
The belief that you have to work hard all day every day and trade vacation time for over time is one that serves no one and is a recipe for burnout, stress, exhaustion and overtime dis-ease in your body. Did you know walking away from a project or problem in your practice can actually increase your productivity and enhance your decision-making ability? So, the next time you think you need to push through, take a quick walk around the block, grab a sip of water, enjoy your lunch and then return to your project or problem with a refreshed perspective and newfound energy!
Take It One Thing At A Time
Multi-tasking does not equal productivity. Multi-tasking keeps you on the hamster wheel headed nowhere. While we think we’re productive by doing multiple projects at the same time, we’re actually getting less done and running our bodies and minds to the ground. When you focus on one patient, one meeting, one task, one decision you can give 100% of your focus, attention, and care which will cultivate a sense of accomplishment once that task is complete.
Exercise
Sounds pretty straight forward, right? We all know the value of exercise but do you know how many dental professionals make exercise and healthy eating the last thing on their to-do list? We do…a lot!
In order to better care for your patients, you have to make caring for yourself a priority. Exercise is a powerful way to reduce stress not to mention it gives you a big boost of endorphins that help you show up more peaceful, present and productive for your team and your practice.
Exercise is also great for your heart and blood pressure which we know is really important for dentists…right?!
Which one of these stress-management tips can you make more of a priority in your dental practice?
Which one is your favorite?
Which one do you have resistance around?
How can you inspire other dental professionals to stress less?
At NextLevel Practice, we believe in making your job easier and more productive. Take the first step to reducing stress for yourself and your team by contacting us today!!
