Burnout can be managed, and you can learn strategies to prevent it from happening.
Family, friends and colleagues may notice before you do that you are stressed and burnt out. Think about their concerns — it may help you to start the conversation and get support.
If you're feeling consistently stressed or burnt out, being able to confide in trusted professionals can reduce the shame, stigma and fear that there is something wrong with you. Burnout is sometimes hard to predict, prevent and understand. Many long-term dental practitioners can wonder “why am I feeling burnout now?”.
Paying attention, learning to recognise when your stress and taking control of your own health can be the first step to creating change in your life. Many dental practitioners find that they need permission from a colleague or peer to stop or do something differently. Developing your own health plan can be key to taking control of your burnout.
Learn to Stop
The concept of mindfulness relates to all aspects of our lives. As dentists, being in tune with our responses, especially when it comes to stress, can increase our ability to intercept the decline into fear and anxiety.
Use Breath
You can use breath to slow down physical reactions to situations and regain control over your reactions and emotional responses. Slowing one’s breathing reduces anxiety, fear and negative thoughts. Taking 10 deep breaths helps to increase attention, concentration and your ability to make sound decisions.
Reflect
Being mindful and developing strategies to create awareness and pay attention to cues that may lead to a ‘fight or flight’ response is crucial. Developing the skill to reflect and self-nurture following stressful situations can help to prevent burnout.
Access Support
Finding your support network and asking them for help when you need it is really important. With dentists often working in isolation, your family and friends can be a wonderful source of support and would always prefer you to reach out for help when you need it. Otherwise, our 24/7 confidential telephone line is always available if you need someone to talk to and we can help refer you to appropriate services if you need professional support.
Identifying if you are experiencing burnout can be the first step towards changing your life path.
Form Relationships
As a dentist, finding support within the industry can also be helpful as other dental practitioners may have professional insights into how you can work through a situation or concern. If you are part of a larger organisation this may be with a colleague you work with. If you are part of a small business, or perhaps an owner that needs to separate your concerns from the workplace or occupational stress, it might be worthwhile linking into a professional network in your state/territory or perhaps finding a mentor.
It can also be beneficial to form relationships with neighbouring small business owners in your immediate vicinity, even if they're not dentistry-related or outside of the dental profession. Many small business owners in malls, consulting rooms and business parks form close relationships that can provide social relief in addition to practical advice, help and support with community issues.
