The holidays are supposed to be the season of peace, rest, and connection, yet for many dental professionals, it ends up being one of the most stressful times of the year.
Schedules fill up, year-end production goals loom, and even when the office finally closes for a few days, your mind is still running through lab cases, payroll, and next yearโs plans.
If that sounds familiar, this oneโs for you. Letโs talk about how to actually unplug this holiday season, and why itโs one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself and your team.
Why Itโs So Hard to Unplug
Dentistry attracts high-achieving, hands-on people who like control and results. Thatโs great for running a successful practice, but not so great for rest.
Even when youโre technically โoff,โ your brain stays on:
- Youโre answering patient emails โjust to clear the inbox.โ
- Youโre mentally reorganizing next yearโs schedule.
- Youโre scrolling dental Facebook groups (which somehow doesnโt feel like work but definitely isnโt rest).
The truth is, rest doesnโt happen by accident. You have to plan for it with the same intentionality you plan your production goals.
Step 1: Set Real Boundaries Before You Clock Out
If you want true downtime, prepare for it in advance.
- Let your team know your office will truly be closed, and what to do in an emergency.
- Record an updated voicemail and email autoresponder that sets clear expectations for response times.
- Resist the urge to โcheck inโ every day. Your patients (and your staff) can handle a few days without you.
Remember, boundaries arenโt about being unavailable; theyโre about being present where you are.
Step 2: Replace Work Habits with Real Rest Habits
When you stop working, youโll naturally look for something to fill that space. Instead of slipping into โproductiveโ mode again, choose things that actually recharge you:
- Take a walk without your phone.
- Spend time cooking, reading, or catching up with friends.
- Try a hobby that isnโt dentistry-related (no CE courses, not this week!).
- Sleep in. Seriously. Youโve earned it.
Think of it as refilling your own tank. When January comes around, your team and your patients will thank you for showing up refreshed.
Step 3: Disconnect Digitally (At Least a Little)
You donโt need to go completely off-grid, but scaling back your screen time works wonders.
Try one or two of these:
- Turn off notifications for non-urgent apps.
- Keep your phone in another room for a few hours a day.
- Log out of your work email from your personal phone for the week.
Unplugging from digital distractions helps you reconnect with what actually matters: family, friends, laughter, and stillness.
Step 4: Permit Yourself to Do Nothing
For dental professionals used to constant motion, doing nothing can feel uncomfortable, even lazy.
But rest isnโt wasted time; itโs recovery time. Itโs what allows you to return to work sharp, creative, and calm.
This holiday season, trade productivity for presence. The world wonโt fall apart if you donโt check your email for a few days, promise.
The Bottom Line
The best gift you can give yourself (and your team) this season is space to breathe. You donโt need to earn it. You donโt need to fill it. You just need to take it.
So when you finally close the office door for the year, let it stay closed. Turn off the notifications. Light a candle. Put your feet up. And enjoy a holiday season thatโs actually restorative, not just another checkbox on the calendar.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
