Maintaining Mental Health in Stressful Times

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We hear is almost every day, almost everywhere we turn. . . it has been a rough year. Before we become numb to the repeated reminder of the kick in the teeth this year has been, let’s take time to acknowledge what may be less obvious. Mental health. This can be an uncomfortable, tricky topic to navigate. Do we even realize when it is affecting us? Are we honoring each mechanism of ourselves that is tied to mental health? A large amount of research suggests that suicide was afflicted the dental profession more than any other. The ADA hope to change this statistic but the only way to start is with YOU. So, hold on, strain in, and through one hand in the air because added onto this statistic is a worldwide pandemic, economic uncertainty, one heck of a stressful election season, and a current state of civil unrest. It is ok to accept that all of this is at war with your mental health. The key is to take action! Although some of the following may seem simple, perhaps repetitive and no doubt things you already know; we encourage you to take the time to read through and really evaluate how you are addressing these key factors of good mental health in your everyday life.

EXERCISE

Where you do fit physical activity into your schedule and how important is it to you? Has your exercise routine been disrupted? If so, now is the time to figure out how to get I back on track. Even if you start with small, subtle adjustments you can see big changes. For most healthy adults 150 to 300 minutes per week, (roughly 30 to 43 minutes per day is suggested. That’s just one episode of your favorite show, you’ve got this!

Stretching is essential. Practicing dentistry can require putting one’s body in uncomfortable positions and performing repetitive hand motions daily. This can be hard on your musculoskeletal system leading to painful and even sometimes permanent damage.

EATING HEALTHY

Food is not only fuel for our bodies but fuel for our minds. Good eating habits can be difficult to maintain during busy, stressful, or depressing times. Like many of us under these circumstances you may find yourself under eating, reaching for the quick, unhealthy fixes, self-soothing by overeating, or a combination of all of the above. Don’t delay in taking the steps needed to practicing healthier eating habits, they can make a world of difference!

SLEEP

Do you have a daily sleep routine? If so, has it been disrupted lately? Maintaining a routine around sleep is said to be one of the best ways to achieve the optimal sleep you need. Symptoms of sleep deprivation include an inability to concentrate, drowsiness, mood swings, lowered immunity, and a decrease in productivity. During sleep the brain compartmentalizes then stores important information from the day, helping us to reset and eventually store more information the next day. So, you can see how a disruption in this pattern can be detrimental to you and your dental practice.

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Stress. Even saying the word can be stressful! It can creep in on us and present itself in ways that are commonly overlooked. Not all stress is bad, some stress is said to be essential in creating a good well-being, the key is in balancing. It you are experiencing the following symptoms, it may be a sign that your balance has shifted, and that stress is weighing down. Are you experiencing the following symptoms, it may be a sign that your balance has shifted, and that stress is weighing down. Are you experiencing a continuous sense of unease or being unsettled, inability to sleep or sleep properly, repeated or prolonged illness, shortened temper, forgetfulness, loss of energy or a desire to over-eat? If so, refer to the web page for ways to help with mindfulness and balancing stress.

It is important to remember that maintaining good mental health can be work, sometimes hard work. It is also important to remember that improving one’s mental health is just as rewarding a goal to work for and achieve as any other. Lifting those proverbial weight can leave us with some awesome muscles to flex. The time to start and/or continue on that journey in now. Yes, right this moment. Don’t set it aside for tomorrow or next week or when you “have time.” Your work is important, your time is important, your patients, staff, families, and friends are all important but none of that is more important than your well-being. Take the end of this article as a start.

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