I have some options:
Plan B: become a photographer or artist.
or...
Plan KTB-45: a last resource, very powerful secret body optimization project to survive the harshest of stressors!
I secretly always wanted to go to Military school and go through harsh training and all that cool stuff, but then I met science and the wonderful world of medicine and you know the rest, now I'm a doctor. The universe has its mystical ways of giving you what you ask for, and this residency thing feels as challenging as Military school itself. Or maybe its my impression from being at the VA hospital and seeing all those veterans in cool military uniforms.
When times get hard... I have to stay strong and plan a strategy for the months to come.
Step #1, look like a warrior!
ok... my own mother asked who that was... in the warrior picture...
I will abstain from using mud on my face and will limit outfit to super heavily starched pretty white coat :)
Step #2: Put only the most efficient fuel in my body.
Just like a very complex and valuable machine deserves the best and most refined fuel to function properly, I will provide my body with super fuel to handle the hard work. Human bodies run better on vegetables. I will make my famous "Green juice" every day. Will pack a healthy lunch with me, abstain from falling into the temptation of buying crunchy/salty/sweet junk food that would compromise my energy system and will drink at least 2 L of fluid to keep all my cells well hydrated and avoid feeling like a withered plant.
Step #3: I will keep my ambitious plans under check and not try to conquer the world while in residency.
Step #4: I will eat more dark chocolate!
Yes... I said chocolate :) yummy, tryptophan rich goodness.
Tryptophan is an amino acid that increases serotonin levels in the brain which makes you feel happy and relaxed. Thats why we crave chocolate when stressed.
...or maybe there is a supplement of that with a higher tryptophan concentration and less calories? Will have to find it!
Step #5: Brainwaves.
Now there is an app for that! I have found that SleepStream2 is pretty good and free.
Brainwaves is a sound therapy that sends weird sounds to your ears at different frequencies, creating a specific frequency in the brain to mimic brain rhythms that are found when meditating, learning effectively, relaxing, focusing, being creative.
I will bring headphones to work and use it when writing notes and stuff like that, or for relaxation in a short break.
Step #6: Supplements
- Magnesium is well known for its effects on relaxation of muscles and improving anxiety. Its also happens to be good for constipation, just in case...
- Multivitamins: my body will be working extra hard and will require supplies for repairing the worn out cells.
- Healthy oils: brain is practically a piece of fatty stuff, but it needs the right fats to rebuilt and repair. I will use flax seed oil, nuts, avocado and salmon to provide my brain with material. I hope it stops feeling a mushy blob like it has been doing late in the day during this month.
- DHEA: since stress hormones might be "slightly" over-utilized these next months, I will provide support to my adrenal gland to avoid adrenal burn-out and all those associated symptoms.
Step #7: Lists are your BFFs
I learned early in my career that successful people utilize lists as a very effective tool for being successful and achieving lots of their plans. I definitely have experienced the super-powers of list making, but one trend that I noticed is that I stop using this powerful tool when stress is high, which is ironically when I need it the most to help me.
Yes, there is an app for that! My favorite one is called "Paperless" because it allows you to make many lists to organize them by categories, such as groceries, daily chores, weekly chores, books to read, cool stuff to do, places to visit... oh yes... work related stuff... homework to turn in... forms to fill out...
Step #8: Turn up the music and sing out loud!
It helps if you have tinted car windows so that no one can see you ... LOL
Its so good for for stress relief when returning from work.
Step #9: Talk about your day.
Talking to a friend, or a counselor, or family... and if no one is available... just talk out loud about your day, the challenges and whatever you feel like talking about.
There is a therapeutic effect when verbalizing a problem and finding the solution. It is so effective that psychologists call it "Talk therapy". Maybe I could do a daily 10-15 minute session when driving home. The other drivers would think I'm using the hands free cell phone feature.
Step #10: I will work by the 80/20 rule.
Thy say it goes this way: only 20% of the things that we do account for 80% of the visible and the important results. The other 80% of hard work is the details and accounts for only the 20% of the results.
The tricky part if identifying the important 20% in each task and doing it first if the time is limited.
Step #11: I will respect my body's need for sleep.
I wish that was as easily done as it is to say it...
Sleeping is extremely important and a decreased amount is the main reason of my issues.
Step #12: be optimistic
Research has found that optimistic people live longer and are better at handling stressful situations.
"Yay Residency!", that was an easy to perform strategy, LOL :)
