Stress – a bane of modern living. For all, professionals and more so, students. Add to that, medical students, and the stress levels get higher. April is Stress Awareness month, according to the Medical News Today, USA. Increasing awareness and ways to tackle stress is the need of the hour.Jennifer was going through a lot. Her family was far away, parents had taken out loans to send her to study abroad. She had to succeed. But she was dealing with her own issues of confidence, looks, academics, friendship and culture shock. It was not the dream she had signed up for. But she was the lucky few. She found a good room mate who guided her, mentored her that she was not alone. She survived to tell the tale and flourish and become a successful doctor. Not all get lucky like Jennifer. But there are learnings from Jennifer’s story. A look at some reasons and cures for stress management.
Academic Rigour: Medical school is known for its rigorous academic demands, including long hours of study, high levels of competition, and a vast amount of information to absorb.
Clinical Rotations: Clinical rotations can be particularly stressful for medical students, as they are responsible for the care of patients and face high stakes decision-making.
Financial Burdens: The cost of medical school can be a significant financial burden, leading to increased stress levels.
Work-Life Balance: The demands of medical school can make it challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance, causing stress and burnout.
Cures to tackle stress among medical students
Self-Care: Medical students can reduce stress by practicing self-care activities such as exercise, getting enough sleep, and engaging in hobbies or activities that promote relaxation.
Seeking Professional Help: It is essential for medical students to seek support from peers, mentors, and mental health professionals. Medical schools often have counseling services available to students.
Time Management: Effective time management can help medical students prioritize tasks and reduce workload, leading to decreased stress levels.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help medical students stay grounded, focused, and calm in the face of stress.
Positive Mindset: Building resilience by cultivating a positive mindset, practicing gratitude, and reframing negative thoughts can help medical students cope with stress and challenging situations.
Seek Work-Life Balance: Medical students can reduce stress by finding a work-life balance that works for them, including setting boundaries around study and work hours, and making time for activities that bring joy and relaxation.
