Most people don't think of visits to the dentist as relaxing experiences, after all, you have to sit with your mouth open under a bright light while someone works on your teeth. It's easy to stiffen up when you focus on the dental work even if you don't have dental anxiety. It's also easy to get tense when you're on a tight schedule or if you have other things on your mind. Fortunately, there are a few ways to use your time in the dentist's chair to relax and feel refreshed when you sit back up. Most dentists allow patients to wear headphones or earphones during their appointments to distract them from the procedure or simply to pass the time. So as long as your dentist allows it, here are some relaxing things to do while you're sitting in the chair.

1. Listen to nature sounds.

A continual loop of nothing but nature sounds can be a refreshing break from a stressful day. Put your earbuds in and listen to the sounds of waves crashing on a beach, bird songs, falling rain, a babbling brook or wild animals in the rainforest. Concentrate on the sounds of nature and soon you won't hear the dental equipment, the dentist's phone ringing or people chattering in the office. Nature sounds are a great escape from the constant barrage of the sounds of modern life like traffic and technology. Sometimes the absence of human voices can help you not only relax but recharge and have more energy for the rest of your day.

2. Listen to a meditation app or song.

There are a wide variety of guided meditation apps and music that can walk you through the relaxation process. You can choose a male or female voice, songs or spoken words or even chants or hymns in a foreign language. Whether you prefer voice-only or a voice with background music or sounds, you can find a meditation app that can guide your awareness through a dental procedure.

3. Listen to white noise or cancel the noise completely.

Sometimes doing nothing at all with no distractions is the best way to relax. White noise or noise-canceling headphones can help clear your mind by blocking a majority of external sounds. White noise can be so relaxing that people often use it as a sleep aid, so it's powerful enough to help you mellow out during your cleaning, filling or root canal. You'll be able to hear the dentist's instructions, but you'll block the distracting background noises and be able to focus on your own relaxing thoughts.

Going to the dentist does not have to be stress-inducing; in fact, it provides the perfect opportunity for some mental downtime. Whether you want to listen to something calm and pleasant, have a mini-meditation session or just clear your mind for a while, these are just a few of the things you can do. Dentists want you to be comfortable, so explain why you're putting in your earphones. He or she will probably be pleased that you can relax so well in the chair and won't mind a bit. To learn more, contact a dentist like Paul Dona DDS.