So I went for a routine doctor visit today, and at the outset of the appointment, the nurse took my blood pressure, as nurses will. After the cuff had exhaled, she stood for a few concerned moments, and then said, "Do you feel lightheaded when you stand up?"
See, I have really low blood pressure. Like usually around 65 over 45. There's no danger in it, except that I tend to pass out during procedures in which my body-core thinks it's under attack, like pap smears and mammograms and the occasional blood-draw. Embarrassing, completely, but harmless.
But it occurred to me today: I'm such a stress-bucket, such a high-strung and tightly-wound multi-tasker and any number of other hyphenates...but goodness gracious, where would my blood pressure be if I weren't? I have come to the liberating conclusion that MY STRESS KEEPS ME OUT OF A COMA. If it weren't for my constant and frantic jitters, I probably wouldn't be able to wake up in the morning.
Perhaps the better title for this post: Academia saved my life.
Portrait of Clara (as a chemist)
3 weeks ago
4 comments:
So, when you get tenure, your life will be in jeopardy? Or should we just position Neruda to catch you when you swoon?
You really think I'll stop stressing when I get tenure? It's my default position.
My default, too...I thought I would stop stressing when I received tenure, but I just dove into new projects (to keep the stress level up, apparently)and it hasn't slowed down yet. So you *can* continue to make academia "work for you"! ;)
Post a Comment