Stress: your nemesis or superpower?

As a veterinary student, I’m certainly no stranger to stress.

There’s a running joke within my friend group that “diamonds are made under pressure”, which helps us all to feel a little better when the pressure on ourselves begins to rise.

But, whether it’s a coursework deadline or juggling my work-load with my social life, there’s always something going on in the back of my mind like an internal, manic hamster wheel.

Duck feet

I’ve grown up wanting to be a vet. This obviously came hand-in-hand with an admiration for those in the veterinary profession – and the medical field as a whole.

Saying that, I don’t think my younger self was ever fully able to appreciate all the time, energy and exertion that went on behind the scenes. When you’re greeted by a medical professional – whether at your local GP or veterinary practice – the (hopefully) calm and collected individual you meet across the desk is only one half of the story.

You know the popular analogy of a duck, peaceful and composed on the water’s surface, but frantically kicking underneath? Well, you can be sure, 9 times out of 10, there’s some heavy paddling going on behind every good doctor or nurse that you meet.

We’re in this together

I really don’t think it matters what kind of medicine you practice or study – human or animal – it all comes with its fair share of stress. There’s a reason my course and my future career are commonly associated with poor mental health, and it’s sad how careers that do so much good have the potential to cause such harm in the process.

I think this really highlights the importance of “clubbing together” in the work place, whether that’s the university common room or the staff room of a first opinion practice. Medical degrees, along with the jobs they lead to, are demanding – there’s no getting away from it. But there’s no reason we have to do it alone.

#bekind

A little bit of kindness goes a long way, so if you see a colleague or fellow student struggling – even though you may have a lot going on in your own life – maybe try to ease their load a little, and one day they will return the favour.

If you make sure to be kind to yourself and have a good work-life balance then stress can be your superpower, rather than your downfall. It can be a great motivator if you don’t let it get on top of you and keep you focused on your goals through all the distractions life can throw at you.

To be honest, no matter your profession, course or lifestyle, stress is inevitable. It’s how you cope with it and what you choose to do with it that counts, and, ultimately, helps you grow.