The term mindfulness probably doesn’t seem to connect with dentistry.
Mindfulness is more likely to have one conjuring up visions of a Buddhist monk levitating above a mountain top, or recalling chants of “Oooommmm…” reverberating from a yoga studio. These are good examples of mindfulness in practice, and not necessarily inaccurate.
So what does mindfulness have to do with dentistry?
What does Mindfulness Have to Do with Dentistry?
Believe it or not, mindfulness totally applies to dentistry. Incorporating mindfulness into your daily life can drastically reduce stress and streamline your dental practice.
Think about it.
Running a dental practice requires can be stressful: it requires effort, energy, and perpetual multi-tasking. You have employees, patients, dental equipment and financial obligations to contend with. It is a juggling act, and many people are counting on you not to drop the ball. It is easy to feel overwhelmed at times, and “getting through the day” may become your mantra. It’s difficult to be present in the moment when you’re looking ahead to the end of the day.
Mindfulness is the act of being fully aware of where you are, what you’re doing, and how you’re feeling, without being adversely affected by what is going on around you. It is a state of being present in the moment. Like so many things, however, achieving mindfulness is easier said than done. Yet it isn’t very complicated or difficult to work on being mindful in small ways every day.
When it comes to using mindfulness, your dental practice and everyone involved with it will benefit.
Reduce Stress in Your Dental Practice by Incorporating Mindfulness
To reduce the daily stresses that occur with running a successful dental practice, you can begin to incorporate mindfulness techniques.
Here are 3 easy ways to incorporate mindfulness into your practice without making drastic changes to your routines and habits.
- Breathe. Pay attention to your breath. You don’t need to take big gulps of air, or count the seconds…hyperventilating won’t help anyone. Breathe normally, but pay attention to the air going into your nose, down your lungs, and clearing your mind. When you exhale, feel the tension leaving your body. Feel your lungs making room for new, clean, fresh air. Do this several times a day. You may be surprised to learn how often you hold your breath without realizing it. And how grounding it is to breathe freely and effortlessly.
- Stretch.Reach down and touch your toes. Swing your arms around in windmills, like you did as a kid. Roll your head around gently and release tension from your neck. If you can walk outside for a few moments to get your legs moving, do it. Fresh air and a change of scenery are wonderful (and easy!) tactics to achieve mindfulness. As a dentist, you’re constantly aware of your patients level of comfort and relaxation, but don’t forget about your own. Taking a moment several times a day to honor your body is a service to everyone.
- Count your blessings. This is a great one to do first thing in the morning, and during moments of high stress. Having gratitude at the forefront of your mind makes challenges easier to confront. Don’t think too hard about this one, and don’t pressure yourself to feel thrilled with life every single moment of the day. This is about perspective. Be grateful for the awesome coffee mug you brought in today. Be thankful that the traffic was lighter than yesterday. Enjoy your comfortable new shoes, or the fact that all the laundry is done at home, for once. Purposefully and consciously pick three things to be grateful for, and mean it. Gratitude goes very far in achieving and maintaining mindfulness.
How Mindfulness Positively Impacts Your Dental Practice
The times that we live in are about moving forward, achieving the next thing, consuming more information, and acquiring more stuff. Days, weeks, months and even years can become a blur. Time moves quickly. We move quickly.
Mindfulness slows it down, just a little, so you can achieve more.
When a patient walks into your dental office, their health is in your hands. As a dentist, you owe it to them to be with them in the moment – it’s how you best serve their needs.
Your patients will notice your presence and mindfulness. They will know that you are truly listening, caring, and addressing them. They will feel important and respected. They will feel that they are in good hands. This is good business. Your employees will reap this same benefit. They’ll feel that they are working for a dentist who is attuned to the climate in the office. They will feel free to approach you, and inspired to work hard for you.
Most importantly, you will benefit from your own mindfulness.
The little things will matter in a different way; the good ones will seem more important, the bad one less so. The days will seem more pleasurable. The money will flow more easily. The obstacles will be overcome more quickly.
Your dental practice will thrive.
To find out more about how to reduce stress and make your dental practice thrive, check out our Shine course today.