Sometimes while doing our usual acty, we get so stressed out that we begin to realise that mentally, we need a break even though physically we may appear alright and even those around us may not perceive what we are going through.
Oftentimes, this stress comes from something we love so much. For me it was medicine.
Last year, while I was preparing for my 4th MBBS examination which comprised of Paediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology it gradually became overwhelming and showed no signs of stopping. At a point I realised that I needed to take a break but Medical school does not usually give breaks, you decide to take your own break when you feel you can't take it again.
The 4th MBBS exam was an 18 months program which meant that I had been in school for almost 18 months except for the Christmas break in-between. The exam was drawing nearer each day but I knew I couldn't go into that exam with the state of my mind at that point in time. So I devised a plan.
I planned to travel for almost a week. It seemed very risky and it was, especially because the exam was barely 2 months away and I still had a lot of work to cover, but I really needed this break inorder to be mentally prepared to face the exam and so I took it.
Some of my friends counselled me against this decision, citing the proximity of the exam and the workload as reasons but being the wearer of the shoe, I knew where it pinched me the most and as such I just had to do me.
I travelled to Abuja which was about 8 hours journey from my school, so I could go as far from school as possible, lol.
Image is mine
This journey served me 2 purposes.
Firstly, I like making long distance travels, it helps me clear my head sometimes.
Secondly, it afforded me the much needed break from school work and gave me time to rest and recuperate.
Image is mine
At Abuja, I had a decent amount of fun, going out on some occasions to see some places which before then, I only read about them on the internet. It was enjoyable seeing them live even though I didn't take pictures of most of these places.
When I returned from this journey, I felt fresher, happier, well equipped and mentally prepared to face the exam. So it served the purpose I hoped it would serve. It was one of the best decisions I took last year given how well it turned out for me.
Apart from this incident, at other times when I needed to prioritise my mental health, I usually leave the environment of my stress at least temporarily until I am satisfied.
On one of such occasions, I left school to a restaurant and event center where I played a lot of snooker till I lost track of time. It helped distract me from my worries and also helped me make friends in that environment.
Image is mine
I always prioritise my mental health because I know its importance.