Top tips for stress prevention

As a dental professional your physical and mental health and wellbeing are paramount to be able to do your job and look after your patients.

Dentistry is widely considered to be a stressful profession. You work in the confinement of a small clinic, meeting the health needs of anxious patients with high expectations, dealing with increasing regulation, all on top of balancing your family and other commitments before even thinking about having a social life.

Stress is part of everyday life, it can drive us, motivate us and give us the energy to fit it all in, but too much of it could cause us harm.

Follow these simple tips to manage stress:                       

1. Have some ’down time’ away from dentistry: read a book, go for a run, watch a film, find a new hobby, take a dog for a walk, have a relaxing bath, listen to music or get more sleep - just find time to take a break.
2. Get outdoors: whatever the weather, being in nature has been shown to reduce levels of anxiety, stress, and depression.
3. Exercise: whether it’s a country walk or doing a high intensity fitness session, exercise produces endorphins, which can calm anxiety and lift your mood.
4. Try something relaxing: yoga, tai chi, the Alexander Technique, meditation or mindfulness.
5. Be more proactive: some people try more structured approaches for stress relief, such as computer or internet based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or online counselling. The NHS provide a free confidential service.

Mental health problems affect one in four people in the UK and can present themselves at any age. Last year Dentists’ Provident paid over £650,000 in claims for psychiatric issues so remember prevention is better than cure…

References available on request.

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