Mindfulness in everyday practice

Everyday practice is often hectic: patients come and go, treatments run in parallel, the telephone rings, and in between, documentation has to be completed. No wonder many dental professionals quickly feel exhausted. Mindfulness can help you stay clear-headed and calm despite stress, avoid mistakes, and improve teamwork.

What does mindfulness mean in everyday practice?

Mindfulness means being consciously present in the moment, without judging, without digressing. You perceive what is happening right now: how your body feels, what thoughts arise and how your environment affects you. In everyday practice, this does not mean that everything slows down, but that you act more consciously, even under pressure. Simple mindfulness exercises for everyday practice

You don't have to do long meditations; short exercises that can be easily incorporated between patients, phone calls or during short breaks are sufficient.

1. Breathing break: 1 minute of conscious breathing

  • Stand up briefly or sit upright.
  • Take three deep breaths, feeling the air flow in and out.
  • Let go of any thoughts that are not important right now.

2. Feel the ground beneath your feet: briefly centre yourself

  • Stand upright with your feet firmly on the ground.
  • Feel how your weight is distributed.
  • This little exercise brings you back to the moment when you feel stressed or rushed.

3. Mini-break between patients

  • Close your eyes briefly or consciously look out of the window.
  • Ask yourself: ‘How am I feeling right now? Am I tense?’
  • Only by being aware of your own feelings can you reduce stress and avoid mistakes.

4. Gratitude in everyday life

  • At the end of your shift, take 1–2 minutes to consciously reflect on three positive moments from your day.
  • This could be a patient's smile, a successful team discussion or a treatment that went well.

5. Mindful action

  • During small routine activities such as hand disinfection, instrument care or documentation, consciously concentrate on each movement.
  • Training your attention strengthens patience and reduces stress.

Why mindfulness is worthwhile

Regular mindfulness practice can help:

  • Reduce stress and maintain calm
  • Increasing concentration during treatments
  • Calmly resolving conflicts within the team
  • Increase general well-being

Just a few minutes a day will have a long-term effect – and you will find that you react more consciously, remain calmer and feel more energetic, even during hectic periods at work.

Would you like to know more?

Then read our article Why mindfulness?