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It’s in your best interest and that of your patients if you are the healthiest version of yourself. ASDA encourages you to make your well-being a priority by addressing five dimensions of wellness that uniquely impact your health. Click on each dimension below to learn more about its influence on your wellness and find related resources from dental students and subject-matter experts. 

Emotional Wellness

Emotional WellnessEmotional wellness concerns your ability to express your feelings, cope with stress, maintain satisfying relationships and deal with conflict. It encompasses optimism, self-esteem and self-acceptance. It involves cultivating a positive attitude, but being attentive to your negative feelings as well.

Dental school is stressful and can feel overwhelming. Whatever you’re struggling with, tell a friend, a family member or a professor about it. Reach out for help and you’ll find that there are resources available to get you excited about dentistry again.

What can you do?

Meditate or practice mindfulness | Learn to say no | Maintain realistic goals and expectations | Express your anger in a constructive way | Laugh freely | Surround yourself with positive people | Talk to someone when you struggle with your feelings | Practice your faith

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Physical Wellness

Physical WellnessPhysical wellness promotes proper care of our bodies for optimal health and functioning. It involves routinely carrying out behaviors that have a significant impact on our wellness (routine check-ups, a balanced diet, exercise, etc.) while avoiding destructive habits (tobacco, drugs, alcohol, etc.).

What can you do?

Eat homemade meals and avoid fast food | Add regular exercise to your daily or weekly routines | Get at least six hours of sleep per night | Take the stairs instead of the elevator | Get regular check-ups | Moderate your alcohol intake

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Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual WellnessIntellectual wellness encourages us to engage in creative and mentally stimulating activities. It involves actively participating in educational, cultural and community events and combining life lessons with those learned in the classroom. It’s about nurturing curiosity and lifelong learning.

What can you do?

Read books for fun | Play trivia and board games | Visit a museum or art gallery | Take up a craft or hobby | Listen to music or play an instrument | Take a new route home | Attend a lecture on a topic that’s new to you

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Occupational Wellness

Occupational WellnessOccupational wellness entails seeking personal satisfaction and enrichment while being fully engaged in your work. It refers to developing work-life balance, managing working relationships and having enthusiasm for your job. It also means constantly developing the skills required to do your work well.

What can you do?

Attend networking events with colleagues | Find a mentor or become a mentor | Maintain open dialogue with colleagues | Explore volunteer opportunities that interest you | Seek out professional development opportunities

Dental student insights:

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Environmental Wellness

Environmental WellnessEnvironmental wellness refers to your relationship to your surroundings, both your immediate surroundings and the world at large. It’s about finding harmony with the natural world and understanding your impact on it. It promotes a sense of safety, comfort and connection to your community and surroundings. 

What can you do?

Turn off the lights when you leave a room | Recycle glass, plastic and aluminum cans | Put things away after you use them to avoid clutter build-up | Donate items or clothes you don’t use anymore | Take shorter showers | Ask to be taken off catalog and junk mailing lists | Carry cloth bags to the grocery store | Walk or bike instead of driving to nearby locations | Sign up for paperless billing

Dental student insights:
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