Regional Support Manager, Sarah Barnard, gives you a number of tips for living a healthier and happier lifestyle, both in and out of practice…
As we all know dentistry can be a stressful profession – with practice staff working as hard as they can to provide patients with the best quality treatment. Patient lists are growing in both mixed and private practices, people are becoming busier, and it can become more difficult to relax and enjoy yourself after such busy days.
So, with that in mind here are a string of little tips that you can use to help you relax and feel healthier and happier.
Getting enough sleep
It goes without saying that we all need to get at least eight hours sleep every evening, however, how many times during our lives have we taken this for granted?
You cannot find a substitute for a good night’s sleep, and it can be imperative to the way you perform in work the following day.
It helps you recover after a long day in the practice, can boost your immune system, and on the whole just makes you feel better. So make sure you’re getting those eight recommended hours.
Drink more water
This will be one of a handful of things you’ll read in this article that you’ll be thinking, ‘well, that’s obvious’. It is just that, but it is surprising how many people don’t drink anywhere near what they should be drinking on a daily basis.
I have a hydration app on my phone that prompts me to drink every few hours, so if you don’t get your intake then I recommend using that, because it can make you feel good and alert.
Fresh air and exercise
I believe fresh air is another thing that we take for granted, but it is something that can have huge benefits to our happiness. Even if it is just getting out of the practice for 20 minutes, or going out after work for 20 minutes, it can help you relax and take in a bit of scenery to unwind after your day.
Equally, exercise can do exactly the same. It can help you to de-stress, it can help you to get fit and give you a sense of achievement that can impact on your health and happiness.
Eating right
I’m a bad one for this but a healthy diet can play a major role in a happy lifestyle, and it can be really as simple as just having a few pieces of fruit and veg with your meals.
Spread out your intake and have a little bit with each meal, because it can make a big difference not just to your health but your all-round wellbeing.
A few tips to get more fruit and veg into your diet includes putting sliced fruit or berries onto your yoghurt or cereal in the morning, or adding pineapple or grapes to a salad. Smoothies are also always an easy and fun way to add more fruit to your diet.
No electronics and making lists
There are a couple of important things you can do in the evening that can have a big impact on your health. The first is turning off your electronics, such as your phone and iPad at least an hour before going to bed. It is really surprising what a difference it to have some chill out time, before getting some sound sleep.
Making lists are also good pre-bed activities that can reduce stress which in turn makes us feel healthier. By putting something down on paper will allow you to be more productive, knowing you have a clear vision of what you need to do the next day in work.
Stretching and meditation
It is amazing what a bit of stretching can do for you. It can make you more relaxed and generally better, as can meditation. The breathing exercises you can do through a lot of apps can help you look after yourself, and added with other points, can give you a happier and healthier life.