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FYI

Partnering with you to help create healthy smiles

Take a breath: Practical ways to manage stress in your practice

Mar 25, 2025

By Delta Dental

Updated April 8, 2026

Running a practice is rewarding, but it can also be demanding. Administrative tasks, anxious patients and supporting your team can sometimes create a heavy workload. The good news is that small adjustments to your routine and workplace environment can help you and your team manage stress more effectively. Let’s start by recognizing some common stress 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 hunched over a patient or computer everyday?


If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, it may be time to rethink your routine. Because when your team manages stress well, it becomes easier to create a positive experience for both staff and patients.
 

Small changes that can help your team

  • Encourage 5-minute walking breaks around the office once every hour. It helps you refocus if you’ve been stuck on a task for hours.
  • Plan occasional team activities. Monthly activities like games, book discussions, yoga sessions, escape rooms or potlucks can help strengthen team connections and boost morale.
  • Create a quiet reset space. A calm corner with soft lighting, relaxing music, calming scents or mindfulness podcasts can give team members a place to recharge during busy days.


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.

Small steps like these can help reduce daily stress and support overall well-being at work and beyond.
 

Support a healthier practice environment

For long-term impact, it’s important to foster a workplace culture built on respect, support and empathy. When team members feel psychologically safe and supported, they’re better equipped to bring their best selves to work each day and deliver the care every patient deserves.