HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

           Friends!:) I admit, these days, I'm pretty irregular here and you might think that I'm dragging my heels! But No...I missed my readers and I know you missed your columnist as well. Why did I take such a long leave from our blog? The answer is precisely this...When exams come, they come not in single spies but in battalions (Pardon me for misquoting Shakespeare). Tests bring with them tons of anxiety, uncertainty and emotional strain especially in this pandemic era. Even an eager beaver experiences stress to a certain degree. Ofcouse, None has his or her ducks in a row all the time. What are we to do? Can we ever win over this seemingly invinsible adversary? Read on...

     Stress is usually defined as a response of your body, to any abrupt and adverse situation. Hormones like cortisol and adrenalin also have their say in producing this mechanism. Consequently, you will experience exceeding blood pressure, palpitations and muscle strain. Yet, when this wave of tension passes, you will be perfectly normal. Amazing! Well...Is stress a positive or a negative phenomena? Is fire good or bad? On a winter night, what else can you desire other than sitting by the fireside...yet if you are not prudent enough the entire house would go up in flames. Likewise, A healthy amount of stress can make you disciplined and successful but anything in excess is lethal. Increased amounts of stress can take toll on your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It can adversely affect your musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and also endocrine systems. In short, Prolonged stress is potent enough to consume you wholly. Is there a way to be relieved from the clutches of this colossal combatant?

        When you are overwhelmed with anxiety, your entire life seems meaningless. You begin questioning your very existence. Your Euphoria transmutes into Paranoia. Your forte, your achievements, your loved ones...everything goes into oblivion and your entire attention would converge at the focal point of stress. Eventually, you will find yourself dreaming about "time's winged chariot."...That's miserable! You might also find yourself wondering like Wordsworth "Whither is fled the visionary gleam? Where is it now, the glory and the dream?"This existential crisis caused by despondent thoughts and disappointed hopes can make you unproductive and indecisive. It can make an imposter out of you where you pretend to be alright,  deep down you could feel that you don't have it in you to work or study or even scream. Thus you conceal your agony and cry yourself to sleep. Though this is an imaginary situation many a student can relate to it. Yet if this is not pathological we can get over it following a few tips...

        Firstly, you need to reflect on your aspirations and wellbeing, then prioritize your chores. Health preceeds academic progress! Make sure you take good care of your body and your soul. Most of the fears which trouble us are non-existent. Your philosophy should be "CARPE DIEM" Hence we should stop anticipating problems that might or might not happen. All of us should try to live in the present and cherish the moment given to us. The next key aspect is to set realistic goals. Refrain from overestimating yourself. Only modesty and humility can make a person accomplished. Unreasonable aims can only exhaust and deprive you of your potential. Not everyone is born with exceptional calibre. Therefore, accept your limitations and go on developing yourself. Remember, Every cloud has a silver lining!

        "Prevention is better than cure" Yes, if you could avoid the triggers of stress...that would be the best option. Don't sweat the small stuff. If this seems impossible, change the way you respond to such situations. Try to concentrate on the brightside and always strive to maintain your inner solace. Once you look at the bigger picture, you will understand how futile is pondering over insignificant things. Being organized and prioritizing the tasks can disentangle the mesh of chores and tranquilize you. Finally...the best and the most ignored suggestion...Give yourself some time for recreation. Stop being a workaholic. A handful of rest is seldom synonymous with lethargy. You can be a factotum and still enjoy the little things given to you by nature. 

              Nutritious food gives you the energy to put up with the thunderbolts falling upon you every now and then. A little help can never hurt, therefore throw your burdens on a confidant and mend your broken soul. All of this in praxis can help you in this perilous times. Stress is an ineluctable reality yet stress- free life is not a myth. A word for all those who bother about grades and scores- Each time concerns about your marks sabotage you, remind yourselves that Excellence is absolutely qualitative and never quantitative. Well! Do I sound like a Dutch Uncle?! I would like to end this wholesome 'treatise' with the words of Tennyson. Though at times we are incapacitated by destiny we should have a strong will "to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield!"

-Santhwana Thomas