Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Spring 2014 - (Page 13)

THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALING By Jenifer Vetter, CDA, CFPDA, (jvetter@atsu.edu), Program Manager for the Orthodontic Residency Program, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health I Ms. Vetter n 2004, Harvard Business Review noted that a company's workforce is its single greatest intangible asset. Staff members are worth far more than the tangible assets around them. Merriam-Webster defines healing as "restoring health" or "restoring to original integrity." Many different types of healing (i.e., physical, emotional, medicinal, alternative, and religious) are practiced throughout the world. Taking time out of each day to ensure peace of mind for yourself and your team promotes healing and protects your intangible assets. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF It is important to begin the healing with yourself. Make time for yourself each day, even if it is only 10 minutes of quiet time while driving to or from work. Turn off the radio, put the phone down, and bask in the peace and quiet. Researchers have shown that certain types of cancer (prostate cancer, for example) are activated by stress. Various modes of healing and stress releasers counteract the negative effects of stress. Without taking the time to relax and decompress, one stays in constant motion. Constantly being "on" is exhausting and leads to burnout. There are many different ways to focus on you, and many of these can be incorporated into group or team activities. Exercise is a great stress reliever. It helps us feel better about how we look, and allows for much-needed quiet time. For many parents, this is the only time each day that they do not have SPRING 2014 * PCSO BULLETIN to make excuses or feel guilty about slipping away for a bit. Exercise has been shown to be more effective than pharmaceutical therapy in mildly depressed individuals. Many organizations now offer wellness incentives as part of their healthcare packages, and provide bonuses for employees who exercise because they see benefits to individuals as well as their overall healthcare premiums. Tai Chi, yoga, running, and walking are all great forms of exercise; try to find an exercise partner who will keep you accountable. Another key component to good health is getting enough rest. Most adults do not get an adequate amount of sleep each night, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, and further insomnia. Research shows a relationship between lack of sleep and loss of cognition or function. Turn off electronic devices such as games, televisions, and music at least two hours before bedtime to allow your body and brain time to quiet down for the night. LESS MULTI-TASKING! Make "you" a priority. Far too often, we place others' needs before our own, leaving very little energy for ourselves. Whether you're running a multi-site orthodontic practice or a family of five, endless multi-tasking and devotion are required. Do not lose sight of the fact that you are still a person, and to serve the practice or your family, you need to be at 100%. Whether it is something as small as taking a walk, getting a pedicure because you saw what seemed like 300 patients that day, or taking a vacation, do it. You have carefully chosen a workplace support team who can handle things while you are away; let them shine! Quiet Time Meditation or quiet time is an ancient healing method that has been taught for thousands of years. Meditation can be done for a few seconds or for hours, and focuses on deep breathing to promote relaxation. Originated by Buddhist monks, meditation can be used by people of any religion as a form of relaxation, and is an effective method of reducing blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. It can be intimidating at first, sitting quietly for minutes at a time, your mind racing with all the things on your to-do list. Start small: sit in a quiet room and plan on five minutes for the first session. Set a timer before you start, so that you are not tempted to check your watch, or worse, your phone. Sit in a comfortable position. Your eyes can be closed or open and focused on an object. Try to clear your mind of all the chatter running through it. Focus only on your breathing. Breathe in slowly for 5 to 10 seconds, and out slowly for 5 to 10 seconds. In the movie Eat, Pray, Love, the main character, Liz, is on a healing journey, and struggles with meditation and "monkey mind," as the Buddhists call it. This is when thoughts "swing from limb to limb, from the distant past to the unknowable future." Work your way up from 5 minutes to 10 minutes, gradually up to a half-hour per day if possible, and you will find you will be able to escape the monkey mind trap. Businesses go to great lengths to protect their physical assets, by employing insurance, security systems, and financial planning, but the most valuable assets - human assets - need to be guarded as well. Organizations, managers, and individuals should be aware of the effects of persistent stress on the body, and the positive effects of looking after human assets, including one's own health. Taking the time to restore yourself by exercising, getting enough rest, setting aside personal time, and practicing meditation are keys to healthful living. S 13

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Spring 2014

A Magical, Spooky, International, Educational Time in Anaheim
New Columns
View From The Top: President’s Perspective
AAO Council on Scientific Affairs (COSA) Report
PCSO BUSINESS
AAO Trustee Report
ABO Update
AAOF REPORT
COMPONENT REPORTS
PCSO AT A GLANCE
How To Save a PCSO Bulletin Article as a .PDF File
The Importance of Healing
Incoming and Outgoing Radiographs
Resident Spotlight: A.T. Still University, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health Postgraduate Orthodontic Program
Use of the XBOW™ Appliance Vs. the FORSUS™ Appliance for Class II Correction
Advanced Research Avenues at the Roseman University of Health Sciences Orthodontic Program
Dr. Gerald Nelson
CASE REPORT PRE-TREATMENT
The Interdisciplinary Team: Managing Patients with Impacted or Ectopically Positioned Teeth
Miniplate Anchorage for Midface Protraction in Class III Patients and Molar Distalization in Class II Malocclusions
Achieving Financial Independence: A New and Younger Members Featured Lecture
The Role of Orthodontics in Trauma Management
CASE REPORT POST-TREATMENT
Converting a Tube

Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Spring 2014