Burnout can affect even the most dedicated people, including dentists such as yourself, who own and operate their own practice. Someone with burnout may feel they are in a constant state of physical or mental exhaustion. They may become cynical about a profession they once enjoyed or become angry and frustrated more easily while at work. So, today on the blog, we share three strategies to avoid dental burnout.
Learn the signs of burnout
Work burnout can be defined as a “special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.”
The warning signs of burnout may include:
- Disruptions in your eating pattern or the failure to eat regular meals
- Regularly working late past normal business hours
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
- Lack of social opportunities
- Absence of hobbies or no longer feeling fulfilled by hobbies
- Chronic fatigue
Now that you know what behaviors to look for let’s explore three ways you can prevent burnout.
-
Include downtime in your daily schedule
There are things you have to do every week. You keep busy managing your practice, seeing patients, and your home life. Make sure that downtime is vital to your daily and weekly schedule, and make it non-negotiable. Earmark at least one night a week where you’re not thinking or worrying about your practice but doing something else you enjoy: reading, working out, watching your favorite show, etc.
As for your daily docket, get away from your practice if only for a short time—take a lunch break at the same time each day, go for a walk, or even meditate in your office. Be sure to take off time from work as well every few months. The key is quality, not quantity: doing things you enjoy and spending time with your family or friends who aren’t associated with your profession.
-
Reach out to colleagues
Ever heard the phrase that a rising tide lifts all ships? Building a network with other dentists provides you with both personal and professional support. This network could include other dentists in your area, dentists you went to school with now practicing elsewhere, or even former instructors in dental school who have become mentors. You can also connect with our dentists online or through social media.
-
Make a schedule and stick to it
Burnout can develop from not managing your time well or not keeping proper boundaries. Maybe you’re letting family or social activities affect you while at work. Perhaps you’re letting work concerns bleed into your downtime. Make time in your schedule for work and downtime, and then stick to that plan.
Dental Consulting Services
Burnout can affect you, your practice’s bottom line, and most of all, your ability to provide the same high level of care to your patients. By following these tips, you’ll better be able to maintain a balance between work and downtime. You’ll avoid burnout and uphold your commitment to patient care. At Bryant Consultants, we use our consulting services for dentists to manage all aspects of the practice—including avoiding burnout.
We recognize these are challenging times. That’s why we currently offer a free one-hour consultation to practicing dentists like you. Find out more by calling (877) 768-4799 to schedule your consultation today.
