FYI

Running a practice is a rewarding experience, which sometimes can also get exhausting. Administrative tasks, difficult patients, ensuring your team is taken care of — there are many elements that can lead to an overwhelming work environment. The good news is, there are simple steps that'll help you turn things around. Let's start with recognizing the triggers.
 

Signs you might be feeling stressed at work

1. Does dealing with anxious patients give you anxiety?
2. Are routine administrative tasks draining your time and energy?
3. Do you spend hours hunching over a patient or computer everyday?
   
   

Answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions? It’s time to rethink your routine. Because as you know, only a relaxed dental care team can deliver a relaxed patient experience.
 

Small changes to facilitate a stress-free environment

• Encourage 5-minute walking breaks around the office once every hour. It’s like hitting the reset button on your brain and especially helps you refocus if you’ve been stuck on a task for hours.
• A monthly team activity that involves games, book readings, scavenger hunts, group yoga, escape rooms or even a potluck is a great way to keep that morale high and stress levels down.
• Carve out a quiet corner in the office with low lights, relaxing music, calming scents, mindfulness podcasts, and stress-relieving games and puzzles (stress balls work great too!).
  
  

Introducing little changes like these can lower cortisol levels on a daily basis at and outside of work. But for a lasting impact, it’s important to nurture a psychologically safe environment through mutual respect, support and empathy. Only then can employees brings their most authentic selves to work every day and deliver the care every patient deserves.