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Stress
Posted 10:26 AM, October 20, 2008, by jiw2As the end of last week progressed I caught myself paying special attention to Beverley's quote, "Stress is held above the waist." While I am very aware that my back and shoulders are often tight, that choas in my life tends to migranes, and that my right hand looses feeling when I prioritize activities over food.... I've never taken it upon myself to move my stress to a different part of my body. My general attitude is that I must calm down and find a way to expunge it completely. This often takes much longer than I desire and in turn, has an affect on my being until it is accomplished. I spent Friday attempting to "Push my stress down. Make your feet like lead." On Friday we had a session in clinical skills and I was much more focused than I had been in the session two weeks prior. I was able to communicate with the standardized patient effectively, listen well, and organize my thoughts in a linear fashion. My standardized patient responded that I was a calming presence to his hysteria. Reminded me of Shah's active horse. In addition, I left the session feeling I had accomplished something; more positive vibes to balance out the negative ones.
It worked for the day-- by Saturday I forgot about it again. Now if only I can internalize it into my everyday mode of operation. Hope the rest of you are having better luck grounding yourself as it seems like many of us are going through trying times.
Comments
Comment by: Beverley Kane, MD at October 22, 2008 7:57 AM
I actually looked into that and was originally signed up for it before enrolling in this class. After the experience with Medicine & Horses I am partaking in as many "non-traditional" classes as possible in order to supplement my academic learnings.
Comment by: Joslyn at October 28, 2008 11:33 PM
Now that the incredible stressful period of my life known as finals is over, this entry has become all the more clear. How many times during the week of my exams did I try to ground myself, or to leave things at the gate? Countless. How many times was I successful? Maybe a couple. Should I think of myself as failing miserably at learning how to deal with stress? I don't really think so. Why? Well, in order to master a technique you must first be aware of it. And I must say that only now do I realize how incredibly grateful l am to have the gift of awareness.
Comment by: Patrick at December 15, 2008 8:16 PM
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Medical Tai Chi is a wonderful course, also offered through the Center for Education in Family Medicine. It meets, I think, Wednesday afternoons 4-6 PM in the grassy area outside the CEFCM Mods, G and H, 1215 Welch Road. Tai Chi helps keep energy calm and grounded.