1. Quo Vadis?
Quo Vadis?
The “Quo Vadis?” feature will allow young scientists (40 years of age and younger) the opportunity to express their
opinions on the future of laboratory medicine. Below are select responses.
How do you deal with stress?
“If stress occurs during the day, I “Identify the precise cause of the “Engaging in physical activity is the
practice mindfulness and simply focus on stress. Always remember that there is a so- best way to reduce my stress level. Also, I
my current task, blocking out any distract- lution to every problem. You only have to often make to-do lists of all of the things I
ing or peripheral thoughts. If I’m feeling find it! Pursue your hobbies and be in the need to accomplish that day/week and then
general stress that follows me home at midst of people you love - children, family, work on tackling each one based on its ur-
relatives or friends. They are the greatest gency. Surprisingly, the act of crossing
night, I like to get in a nice long bicycle ride
stress busters!” —Moushumi Lodh, Dur- something off of my to-do list and seeing
or run to organize my thoughts. Then, I can
the list shrink helps to reduce my stress
come up with a plan to solve a stress- gapur, West Bengal, India
level. Knowing that I have an organized
causing problem or a way to reframe the and systematic game plan to navigate
stress if it is a situation I cannot control. through stressful situations not only helps
Often the exercise itself melts the stress me to be more productive but it relaxes me
away!” —Ann M. Moyer, Rochester, MN as well.” —Jaime Noguez, Atlanta, GA
“When I feel stressed, either at work “I assess each situation to decide “I listen to music since it offers an ef-
or in my personal life, I accept it and start whether something is a threat, how I can fective way to relieve my stress. Swimming
imagining myself as having conquered the deal with it, and what resources I can use. If is also a helpful remedy because it helps to
stressor. This has always worked for me, I believe my resources and skills are suffi- relax those stressed muscles and blow off the
resulting in a positive outcome almost all cient to deal with a situation, I no longer see steam.” —Olu Olayemi, United Kingdom
the time.” —Sivakumar Ramu, Lombard, it as stressful. ” —Kemal Turker Ulutas,
IL Hatay, Turkey
Clinical Chemistry 59:2 (2013) 451
2. Quo Vadis?
“Since our lives are inevitably bound to “I deal with stress by doing at least one
stress, the question is not how to avoid it but thing that I enjoy each day even if it’s only for
how to deal with it. Since we are social crea- a few minutes. If I have time I watch an up-
tures, we need to have the company of others lifting show or movie. I might read a short
to share our problems and experiences.” story, listen to a motivational talk or do
something spontaneous. At the end of each
—Norbert Cibicek, Olomouc, Czech Republic
day I spend some time with my husband in
conversation and laughter, and some alone
time deep breathing.” —Brenda B. Suh-
Lailam, Salt Lake City, UT
“Taking breaks, eating healthy meals “Calming down and taking a deep
(with occasional chocolate), exercise, and get- breath helps me when I face stress. Some-
ting enough sleep go a long way in helping me times, playing classical music in the back-
cope with daily stress. If I take the time to care ground can release some stress. ” —Lin
for my own physical and mental well-being, Zhang, Beijing, China
I’m better able to think through problems and
accomplish more. Planning ahead with a pri-
oritized task list also helps me manage stressful
days.” —Roseann I. Wu, Boston, MA
DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2012.200980
2013 Question #2
Aside from annual salary increases, how can a laboratory director recognize or reward
employees?
E-MAIL YOUR ANSWER AND A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOURSELF TO:
quovadis@aacc.org
Answers must be submitted by February 18, 2013. Please include your full name and address
with all submissions.
452 Clinical Chemistry 59:2 (2013)
