MITIGATE THE STRESS
OF VET WITH THESE 4 A'S
Stress is normal
in the day-to-day life of veterinary medical students. Stress from compulsory attendance
of 8 to 5 lectures, reading bulky materials, attending practical on the field, in
the labs and clinics, as well as being active in various extracurricular activities.
We encounter stressful situations every day. However, one thing is certain: too
much stress can have negative effects on health.
How can these stressful
but necessary tasks for Veterinary students be managed or perhaps reduced?
Guess you have read
an article asking you to sleep well, eat well and exercise well if you want to deal
with stress. The truth is those pieces of advice are not meant for you, and they
are in fact not helpful to you as a Veterinary student. Sleeping 8 to 10 hours a
day when you have plenty of books to read will leave you with very many to read
when exam comes. Also, balanced diets are rarely available in the cafeterias. How
can you prepare a balanced diet when you work 8 to 5 every day? Exercise definitely
may add to stress if not done properly or at the appropriate time. So how can stress
be managed?
Mayo Clinic has provided
a 4A's code that appears to alleviate or perhaps mitigate the situation we are facing
as Vet students.
AVOID
Avoid unnecessary
task if it will deplete your energy and gives stress in return. Check a task if
it is worth doing, if not, avoid it. take for example, going to class is compulsory,
but trekking to class is unnecessary task that can be avoided. Trekking to class
alone is a form of stress that can add up to stress Vet has already placed on or
prepared for you. Board a bike or cab if you can, as that will avoid stress of trekking
and being rebuked or reprimanded by lecturers if you come late to the class.
ALTER
Alter any situation that brings stress your way. Always think of how to do or achieve your aims and objectives in a stress-free way. Do remember that inevitable stress of practical, reading and preparation for class are constant. Therefore, alter a situation that will build up your stress before the unavoidable and constant ones you have no capacity upon, set in.
ACCEPT
Accept the fact that you're here for the mean time
and face the situation critically. Winston Churchill in his words
said "there is nothing either good or bad, thinking makes it so" however,
know when to rest or ask for permission from lecturers.
ADAPT
Adapting to rigors
of V et may be difficult as stress is not good for our bodies; however, focusing
on the negative side only worsens the situation, instead, focus on the positive
side, the awards and esteem you receive upon graduation and induction as this enables
you to adapt to and accept unchangeable.
Vet
and stress are inextricable. Veterinary medical students therefore need to avoid,
alter, accept and adapt to the situation wisely.
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