Running a busy healthcare practice in this day & age certainly comes with a certain degree of pressure & stress.
Here are some tips to manage that stress & hence make your practice day run smoother.
Getting up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning will allow time for any inevitable morning obstacles.- Prepare for the morning the night before.
- Write down commitments. “The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory.” – Old Chinese Proverb
- Be prepared to wait. A book can make a wait in a grocery store line almost enjoyable.
- Procrastination creates stress. Things to do tomorrow, do today; things to do today, do now.
- Plan in advance. Don’t let yourself get to the last business card before ordering, keep your practice supplies well-stocked, don’t wait until you’re down to your last postage stamp to buy more, etc.
- Allow 15 extra minutes to get to appointments.
- Relax. The world will not end if the car is not washed.
- Show gratitude. For any one thing that goes wrong, there may be 20 blessings.
- Learn to say no. Saying no to extra projects, social activities, and invitations you know you don’t have the time or energy for takes practice, self-respect and a belief that everyone need quiet time every day to relax and be alone.
- Associate with people that do not stress out. Nothing can get you into the habit of stressing out faster than associating with people who chronically stress out.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Organise your workspace by clearing the clutter so that you know exactly where things are. Put things away where they belong and you’ll eliminate the stress of misplacing them.
- Take several deep, slow breaths to expel muscle tension.
- Writing down your thoughts can help you clarify things and can give you a different perspective.
- When the stress of having to get a job done gets in the way of getting the job done, diversion – a voluntary change in activity and/or environment – may be just what you need.
- Talk it out. Discussing your problems with a trusted friend or practice staff member can help clear your mind of confusion so you can concentrate on problem solving.
- Learn to live one day at a time.
- Do something you really enjoy every day.
- Do one things at a time. When you are busy with a project, concentrate on doing that project and forget about everything else you have to do.
- Allow yourself time every day for privacy, quiet and introspection.
- If you face an especially unpleasant task, conquer it early in the day and get it over with so that the rest of your day can be anxiety-free.
- Learn to delegate responsibly to others that are capable.
- Take a lunch break. Get away from your desk or practice in body AND mind.
- Maintain an optimistic view about your practice & life.
