My dad has a go-to saying for stress: ‘Proper planning prevents poor performance.’ My dad also happens to be a massive workaholic and growing up, he made it seem like stress can be avoided. Just toughen up, grow thicker skin, put some elbow grease into it and the problem is solved.
But as the block ends, my Exam Season Demon decides to grace me with his presence. He possesses a composed student and turns me into a frantic caffeine junkie. One minute I’m sipping tea, the next, I’m convinced the printer is conspiring against me. I survive on Froot Loops, two-minute noodles, and the occasional instant soup that I eat with a fork because the demon must’ve stolen my spoons. He even convinces me I can outsmart time itself. Needless to say, Einstein was right, I can’t.
Psychologist Richard Lazarus (no relation to the guy who came back from the dead) had a solid take on stress. He said it’s not just about feeling overwhelmed; stress is a two-way street. On one side is the stressor (exams, anyone?) and on the other is how we handle it. Lazarus’ theory of cognitive appraisal is just a fancy way of saying that when stress hits, we all start thinking: ‘How bad is this?’ and ‘Can I deal with it?’
Our brains evolved to deal with lions chasing us across the savannah, not assignments chasing us across a deadline calendar
Now, my dad’s approach might work for some, but stress isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s the gap between what we think we can handle and what’s actually happening. And let’s face it: our brains evolved to deal with lions chasing us across the savannah, not assignments chasing us across a deadline calendar. Stress has evolved, but we haven’t quite caught up.
There are plenty of myths about stress, so let’s clear a few up. First, not all stress is bad. There’s a type called eustress (hilariously pronounced ‘you stress’) that motivates us to perform better. Yet it’s the chronic, unmanaged stress that gets you, and that’s my demon’s specialty.
Myth two: Stress is just in your head. Wrong! It’s a full-body experience. Ever had stress headaches or stomach issues? Stress lingers and is known to cause long-term health problems. And while we’re at it, let’s bust the myth that stress affects everyone the same. Some thrive under pressure, while others crumble. There’s no universal stress response, thus no blanket solution.
The biggest myth of all? ‘Avoid stress, work harder, or just exercise’ is terrible advice. You won’t exorcise your demon by pretending it’s not there – in fact, you must learn to coexist. But make it ridiculous. Name him, dress him like a clown, embarrass him! I like to call my friends and gossip about my demon like it’s the latest drama. That way, I keep the upper hand in this toxic relationship.
CARLA ERASMUS