Many patients ask me how to beat the traffic to Rockville, Maryland when going to the dentist. My suggestion is… embrace it!
Take 3 deep breaths and focus your attention to everything on your commute to the dentist and feel gratitude. Be appreciative for the green traffic lights, the tires on your car, brake lights for safety, stop signs to control orderly traffic, letting people merge into the traffic patterns. Be grateful for gas in the tank, electricity in the battery, the windshield to keep the wind our of your eyes…embrace your fellow commuters.
Going to the dentist can be a stressful endeavor with or without traffic. In an effort to try to offer a more relaxing experience at the dentist or prosthodontist, start with these simple suggestions to make your commute more enjoyable:
- Focus on feeling well
- Release thoughts about what you don’t want
- Focus on what you do want
- Be grateful for your environment
- Focus on the positive investment in your oral health
- Leave early to couple with errands before your dental visit
- Allow time to arrive on “Lombardi Time” – which is 15 minutes early
Leaving extra time for contingencies and variables out of your control will reduce self-inflicted pressures and promotes peace and well being for you. Planning ahead allows for prevention of problems and can minimize the commute stress to the dental office. Also, listening to relaxing music or educational seminars may make the time go faster for you.
[box type=”note”]De-stress, feel well, and focus on positives before & after your dental visit!
All the best,
Dr. Joe Kravitz, DDS, MS
Dentist, Prosthodontist, Author and Researcher
Rockville, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC
