MANAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
A 2015 ADA Dentist Health and Wellness survey indicated that only 28 percent of dentists with a mental health disorder sought help . Uncertainly surrounding current events can be overwhelming , and increase stress and anxiety levels for some individuals .
The Center for Disease Control ( CDC ) offers the following steps to help cope :
Take care of your body - Eat healthy well-balanced meals , exercise regularly , and get plenty of rest . Avoid alcohol , tobacco , and other drugs .
Connect with others - Talk about your emotions and concerns with a friend or family member . Maintain healthy relationships and build a strong support system .
If these steps do not help in managing your stress and anxiety levels , it is important to know when to seek help . Look out for these common signs of distress :
• Feelings of numbness , disbelief , anxiety or fear
• Changes to appetite , energy or activity levels
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping or nightmares , having upsetting thoughts and images
• Headaches , body pains , stomach problems , and skin rashes
• Worsening of chronic health problems
• Anger or short-temper
• Increased use of alcohol , tobacco , or other drugs
If you are displaying any signs of distress , or your stress and anxiety levels are impacting the activities of your daily life for several days , or weeks , it may be time to seek help .
Take breaks - Make time to unwind and relax . Try taking deep breaths or meditating . Do activities that you usually enjoy .
Stay informed - When you feel that you are missing information , you may become more stressed or nervous . Watch , listen to , or read the news for updates from officials . Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis , especially on social media . Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information like your local government authorities .
Avoid too much exposure to the news . Take breaks from watching , reading or listening to news stories . It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly . Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 29