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Strive-the Student View Stress: Is It Really Worth It? As I sprint into the final four weeks of dental hygiene school, I look back and remember the various emotions I felt throughout my journey: excited, proud and nervous, but most of all I remember the times I felt stressed. I am sure that all of you can relate to this, having felt stress at one time or another in school. For some, it is a stressful time trying to get into a dental hygiene program; for others, stress comes during examinations, fulfilling clinical requirements, preparing for and taking national boards or deciding on a future career path. Stress is defined as any emotional or physical strain. Emotional stress occurs when a person is put into a situation that they perceive as difficult or unmanageable. Physical stress, which is set off by various stimuli, can lead to emotional stress. In dentistry, our bodies are prone to physical stress, which can lead to many work-related musculoskeletal disorders, cumulative trauma disorders and repetitive strain injuries. Some of the more common injuries that may occur in dental hygiene include carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome. [1] It is important to remember that different people consider different situations stressful, but it is how we deal with stress that is important. Let's review some underlying factors of stress and some ways that those factors can be dealt with. Underlying Factors of Stress Lack of Physical Activity When we do not get enough exercise, our bodies experience physical stress that can lead to emotional stress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a decrease in physical activity can increase your risk of developing coronary artery disease, hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes, stroke and colon cancer. Your chance of premature death is also greater than that of those who are physically active. [2] Poor Eating Habits Not receiving adequate amounts of daily nutrition can put a strain on both our bodies and minds. Poor eating habits can lower our immune systems and put our bodies at risk for different diseases and infections. Poor eating habits and psychological factors might result in eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia nervosa and binge eating. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), women are more likely to develop eating disorders than men. Eating disorders can cause serious damage to the heart and kidneys, and can even result in death. [3] Lack of Sleep Not receiving adequate amounts of sleep can hinder our academic performance as well as decrease our daily energy. The most common forms of sleeping disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy. [4] Poor Study Habits Not knowing how to utilize study time properly can affect the outcome of examinations and other tests of academic performance, therefore resulting in higher stress levels. Negative Attitude Attitude is a major factor that affects stress. Having a negative attitude will only delay your success and shorten your life expectancy by suppressing your immune system, making you more prone to heart disease and ulcers. [5] Academic Environment (Competition) The academic environment can be very competitive, which can result in stress. Stress builds when we are faced with competitive situations that we are not accustomed to. Patient Recruitment Recruiting patients for clinical requirements can be stressful. Some patients can be non-compliant, not show up for an appointment on test days or be very difficult to manage, which can cause students to become stressed, which negatively impacts their attitude. Stress Management Exercise Plan an exercise program that is tailored around you. Adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes, five times a week or vigorous-intensity exercise three times a week for at least 20 minutes. [6] Make sure you set a time and date for your activities and place it on the calendar so that you can stick to your plan. Also, you can find a classmate or close friend to exercise with who will keep you motivated. Remember, you do not have to join a gym-you can simply walk or do outdoor activities to receive an adequate amount of exercise. Good Eating Habits It is important to eat foods that will help you maintain a healthy body, such as fruits, vegetables and lean meats. It is also important to drink adequate amounts of water daily. According to the American Dietetic Association, there are several theories about how much water is the right amount, but a good guideline is eight cups daily. [7] Remember that taking dietary supplements does not replace the nutrients that we can receive from eating a well balanced diet. A great Web site to refer to for information on the nutritional requirements that are essential for our everyday lives is www.mypyramid.gov. Getting an Adequate Amount of Sleep According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, most adults should receive 7 - 8 hours of sleep a night to perform daily activities to their fullest potential. [8] NHLBI recommends that you stick to a sleep schedule, exercise early in the day, avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages before bed, avoid large meals and avoid medicines that may delay or disrupt your sleep patterns.9 Adopting Good Study Habits It is essential to our success that we develop good study habits. When we are not prepared for quizzes and examinations, we may perform poorly and cause ourselves to become stressed. Stress in this situation can be easily avoided by studying and being prepared. It is important to remember that you must stay organized, use your time wisely and develop a study plan that includes where and when you will study. Make sure that you select places to study that have limited amounts of noise, good lighting, a comfortable temperature and ample space for your study materials. Keeping a Positive Attitude Make sure you do what makes you happy. When you do things that do not make you happy, this will only lead to mental and physical stress. It is important to avoid negative situations and people because they will only bring you down. Try to socialize and surround yourself with positive thinkers. Family and Friend Support Make an effort to spend quality time with your family and friends because without their support, it will be hard to succeed. Try to arrange a family or friend night to refocus your thoughts and have fun. A quality support structure will help you stay focused and remain determined to complete what you have set out to do. Stress: is it really worth it? The answer is simple: it is normal. We all will experience stress at one time or another in dental hygiene school and in life, but remember, it is how we deal with that stress that is important. Keeping a positive attitude, exercising, eating right, getting an adequate amount of sleep, allowing yourself enough time to study adequately, and having a good family and friend support system are essential to your success in dental hygiene school. You have chosen a great profession. Stay positive and focused to achieve success in your career. References
Bobbie-Jean Ridenhour is currently in her final year of the dental hygiene program at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, N.C. She is an active member of her SADHA group and has served as both Vice President and President. She plans to, in the future; obtain a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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