AIR-CLINIC WRITING CONTEST: Stressing on Stress.

kaizerdr (45)in #air-clinic • 7 years ago

We all go about our daily activities pushing the envelope to do what we need to make ends meet. Pushing ourselves to and even beyond the limit. Always a race against time. We know it waits for no man. As a medical student, I can say the stress increases exponentially each year.

So it happened that 6th year exams were around the corner and my friend Prometheus, was doing all that was humanly possible to pass. Studying till very late, studying for up to 6 hours, with very short breaks. The going was tough so he got going. He resorted to the use of stimulants to aid him in his quest. He listened to recordings of his notes during walks from class to his apartment and back. He was putting it all on the line with the hopes of resting after exams. His girlfriend was obviously not happy. Girls love attention, it is known.

On the day of the exam, Prometheus looked very unkempt and shabby. Uncharacteristic. He did quite well, just not as he felt he deserved for his effort. Soon after he fell ill. Lab results showed that he had a poly microbial infection. He had been so stressed that it depressed his immune system and made him vulnerable. He thought he was off the hook.

Some months down the line he had a mental breakdown and was revealed that he had been using this kind of study regime year after year without getting the rest he planned after the exams. For someone who fends for himself and teaches part time to afford tuition, time is really an expensive commodity.

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He is much better now after some therapy. He takes scheduled naps and divides his academic load into little bits over the course of the trimester. This frees up much time for him to be able to handle his other businesses without the stress previously involved. He does yoga and some sports too. Adequate planning and some leisure has helped him a lot to his pleasure. Outfox the fox. He's been nicknamed 'De-Stress'. Lets hope it sticks.