Exam Stress Reduction

In the run up to my exam with time pressures to fit in all the work as well as everyday practical matters, it was a good reminder to practice stress reduction techniques. There are loads of techniques and programmes and methods out there that claim to help during stressful times, but how does one find one that works. To go on the recomendation of a friend is a common way but then so is the top results in the Google search engine, which is often paid for by an organisation.

I had the pleasure of hearing about Jon Kabat-Zinn and the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programme (MBSR for short) held in Cape Town. Initially the programme seemed to cause me more stress than reducing it as I had to fit in a new daily practice of meditation and yoga as well as a weekly class. But soon the benefits became apparent. The meditation practice encourages one to pay attention to and focus on breathing, acknowledging the thoughts that prompt one to action or to judgment and to let them pass - like sitting on the bank of a river and watching the thoughts rush by - all the while being aware of the breath continuing to flow. The 8 weeks passed quickly, way too quickly in building up this new practice of living in the moment and new activity everyday of checking in on myself and my body.


It was to this practice of watching my breathing and being aware moment by moment, without judgment and having to spring into action, that I turned when I was preparing for and writing exams. I was able to remain focused and fairly calm - despite at times feeling pretty edgy and anxious. I suppose the success of this way of life will be borne out by the results of the exam. I will have to wait and see....

Exam Stress Reduction

Exam Stress Reduction.

"I need to see my social worker..."

As part of my recovery from my appendectomy it was necessary to take myself out to have a meal and watch a game of rugby on television that was being played at the stadium across the road from where I live. 


Due to the large number of cars carrying fans into the suburb, there is money to be made by "guarding" cars while the drivers are in the stadium. This is often done by homeless or unemployed people who have managed to get hold of a reflective bib and look like "official" security guards and for a small fee you car should be untouched by the time you return from the game. I had been in the restaurant for about 30 minutes and was making my way through a glass of good red wine and a beef baguette when two guards, reflective bibs and bags in tow, decided it was time for a "tea break". The tea consisted of 2 local beers each and before they went back into the cold autumn evening I overheard something along these lines....

"I have to go and see my social worker this week. She is nice! I know that she can help me!"


So despite the fact that social workers may have a bad reputation in some quarters, there are still clients and service users who have faith in the assistance that they may be able to access through a social worker.

Expect the unexpected

Well who would have thought that I would have had to undergo surgery in the weeks before my 1st semester exams. Definitely not something I had factored in to my timetable - or my budget for that matter. The fact that after 4 days of suffering in a fair amount of pain, saw me visit a doctor, get passed onto a surgeon, directed to the hospital across the way and an hour or so later on a gurney into the operating theatre gave me great faith in the ability of the healing profession to make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering. The non medical staff along the way also seemed to be able to empathise with my painful appendix predicament. Two hours later and I was making lame jokes with the recovery room staff who were checking if I was still of sane mind and healthy body.

No appendix to take home in a bottle - that burst on the way out, but the scars to prove it and a bit more pressure on the exam timetable.

Reading and Writing as a student

It is always interesting to read new authors and to try and understand a fresh perspective on human development and social problems. There just seems to be SO much. At every turn of a page there are multiple references to articles, books reports and compilations. The internet makes it so accessible and easy to get hold of and then comes the sifting through what is important and relevant and trying to understand my own stamina for reading for hours at a time. As I once said to a Grade 12 student - "stick to the curriculum!" That has become an important reminder for me too - I want to get to grips with the primary texts of Carl Rogers and Paulo Freire, but there just doesn't seem to be the time to be able to currently read all these great authors. But at least I am able to read those that are passionate about their work such as Janet Tolan and Prof. Schenck.

The writing after such reading is difficult, given the myriad of ideas and concepts that are presented so lucidly. I have to accept that these are ways of understanding the world and the people that live in it and that this theory serves as a guide in the way that I am being taught to be a helper.

Walking....and Talking

I am always on the lookout for good ways to take care of 3 important areas in my life, physical health, emotional well-being and being social. Yesterday I was able to take care of all 3 with a magnificent 4 hour hike on the most amazing mountain in the southern hemisphere - Table Mountain. The heat of the day was quite extreme but sunstroke was prevented with generous smearings of sunscreen that soon dripped into the eyes and plenty of water that was taken with us. After ascending the millions of steps and managing to enquire as to the wellbeing of my walking mates between huffs and puffs, vistas of the surrounding sea and city opened up. I had been meaning to do this walk for 4 years and finally got to do it and don't know to this day what has kept me. The sounds of the city still reached us 1000m above sea level and the noon day gun reverberated around the cliffs when it sounded some kilometres away. The smell of the earth and plants was different to the city streets. Grumpiness did set in when seemingly close to the end there was still a bit of uphill to get over. Handled with care and some important "I" statements the group moved on towards the car where great praise was given for the inventor of the ubiquitous red can with the ribbon logo that sells so well across the world.

Yes, there was some talking but mostly walking.