Are you obsessed with your work?

Most dental practitioners love the work that they do and feel extremely passionate about helping their patients improve their oral health. When we do something that we love, something that feels so important to us and aligns with our values, then we tend to find that our passion for work is in balance. Engaging in this type of work boosts our positive emotions and improves our wellbeing, making us feel satisfied.

However, sometimes we become obsessed to the point that we believe that what we do is so important that it takes over our life. We think about work even when we are not there – in the mornings, the evenings, weekends and even when we are on holiday. We get frustrated when things don’t go right – and this can be a particular problem for those with perfectionist tendencies. This often leads to exhaustion and potentially burnout, because our whole identity becomes strongly linked to the work that we do, and it’s hard to switch off. We take on more work, avoid taking breaks, and prioritise work over spending time with family and friends. Work consumes our every waking moment.

This creates anxiety and tension, and can negatively impact our wellbeing.

The single strongest predictor of meaningfulness is the belief that what we do has a positive impact on others. Adam Grant

Knowing that our work has a positive impact on others – the whole basis of being a health professional – gives a sense of meaningfulness and identity that is crucial for wellbeing. The challenge is to find the right balance

When work feels like it is starting to take over, consider some of these steps:

• Schedule proper breaks – not only is it important to take regular breaks during the day, but it’s important to truly have a break. Have lunch with a friend or go for a walk, to make sure that get away from work for a little bit.

• Connect with loved ones – make time outside of work to unwind with friends and family doing activities that you enjoy.

• Leave work at work – bringing work home feeds into the obsessive side of your passion.

• Set clear boundaries – it’s easy to take on more work when it feeds your passion, but you risk reaching a point of overload. Knowing when to say NO is important.