One of the first things we work on in my Burnout Recovery for Dental Hygienists Program is creating an emotional safety plan. Creating an emotional safety plan can help you feel more confident and empowered. When we are in burnout, we don’t feel safe at work. We aren’t comfortable sharing our feelings with our boss, co-workers or others. Instead we feel insecure, small, judged or maybe even punished when we share our thoughts or ideas. We are unable to communicate openly and feel paralyzed or weak.
Feeling safe can help squash our anxiety and stress. Our feeling of safety is directly related to our physical health. Heart disease, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system can be side effects of not feeling safe.
When we feel emotionally safe, we are able focus on tasks and do the things that matter most to us without feeling judged, threatened or endangered. Feeling safe means we can be productive and creative in our own lives.
Taking chances, trying new things and embracing new opportunities are awesome side effects of feeling safe. Other great things that come from a feeling of safety are trust and a sense of community and togetherness. From a feeling of safety we are able to build and improve our relationships. We show up as a better version of ourselves and are able to enjoy those around us.
What can we do to feel safe? We first have to identify what triggers us. Is there somebody that triggers you or is there a word or a thought that sets you off? Creating a support system is vital to feeling safe. Do you have people to call or talk to when you feel triggered? These aren’t people that you have to tell all the details of what’s going on, but sometimes having a friend or family member to call can put things into perspective or distract you when you ask how their day was. One other helpful part of an emotional safety plan is having truths you can hang on to. What do you know about yourself or others that will bring you strength?
Sit down and create an emotional safety plan for yourself. Keep a copy in your operatory. Tape it to the inside of the cabinet where you can refer to it when you need to, or keep a copy in your car for your ride home.
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