
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.