In October, Daniel Galipeau (fourth from right) participated in the 2017 APhA 5K Fun Run/Walk at APhA headquarters in Washington, DC.

It is safe to say that pharmacy school is stressful. When you add life, work, family, and finances into the mix,  stress can become overwhelming. 

When I am overwhelmed, I think about my stressors, which makes me more stressed. Does that happen to you? What I have found is that one of the best methods to manage stress effectively is through group activities. Here are my top five ways to de-stress for success.

Group exercise

Exercise is a great way to relieve stress. However, it can get pretty boring running or biking by yourself, especially if you plan on anything longer than 20 to 30 minutes. Why not bring along an exercise buddy or two? After I joined a running group, I found that not only was my motivation easier to keep up, but I could push my workout even further. If you don’t like to run or bike outside, many gyms and health centers have group classes for everything, from Zumba to cycling to yoga. Shedding your stress while shredding some dance moves to Shakira or Bruno Mars is a great way to get in shape and have a great time, too!

Yoga enthusiast Caitlin Wise reaps the holistic benefits of the Tree Pose in New Delhi, India.

Stress is something that every student pharmacist will experience. I wrote this article at my desk, coffee in hand, after a 14-hour work day with many projects still to do, while multi-tasking two computer screens, a desk of papers, and a phone call with my friend who said, “I never hear from you anymore. Call me more often. I miss hearing from you.”

This is a perfect example of daily stress. Not all stress is bad. Getting to talk to my friend gave me more energy than the coffee, even though it took time away from the projects. This “eustress,” or good stress, of talking to my friend helped me focus, but then again, that may have been because the coffee hadn’t kicked in yet.

I am a social person, but every now and then, I have to take time for myself, especially when I am stressed. How you relieve stress depends so much on the type of person that you are and the hobbies that you have. To me, there are five best ways to relieve stress.

I am a student pharmacist, like you, and I have struggled with mental health for most of my life. I suffered from depression during high school and have had generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for as long as I can remember. I used to be ashamed that I had these conditions. I now see that my shame was because of society’s perception and the stigma around mental health disorders. 

When I learned that GAD is an actual disorder and that my constant, overwhelming anxiety was not my fault, it felt like a huge weight lifted off me. I also realized that I did not have to battle depression alone as a teenager and that seeking treatment would have saved me from the gut-wrenching emotional and physical pain I endured for years in silence. No one should have to suffer mental health disorders in silence or feel that they are alone. I promised years ago that I would be more active in helping others with similar mental health conditions. 

When I was presented with the opportunity to write this article, I was initially hesitant to rip open old wounds. But then I remembered APhA–ASP President Michael Murphy’s theme “Begin Your Legacy” and Alex Sheen’s 2017 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition keynote speech, “Because I said I would.” I realized I need to be more proactive if I want to leave my legacy as a humanitarian who helped others with similar mental health conditions as mine, and that means stepping out of my comfort zone. I am beginning my legacy here, by sharing my story to help student pharmacists understand how depression and anxiety affects a person, and so that they can better empathize with the people who suffer from these disorders. 

Stigma often arises out of naivety. People tend to reject what they do not understand and cannot see. Educating others on these disorders can help break those negative perceptions. I also want to let those who are living with depression and anxiety know that they are not alone and that there is hope. Over the years, I formed bonds with people who also have anxiety over a mutual understanding of what the other person is battling. They have become my support system on the hard days, when my anxiety is too heavy to carry alone. My hope is that I can help at least one other person find their support system and encourage them to open up.

MCPHS University –Boston APhA­–ASP Chapter members lead a handwashing demonstration for kindergarten and first graders at a local grammar school.

After speaking with college students about flu vaccine benefits, a student said to me, “Isn’t the flu shot only 60% effective this year, so there’s no point in getting one?” I replied, “Well, not getting vaccinated provides 0% protection against the flu, but getting one offers at least a 60% chance.” He paused, “So I can get my flu shot here?” Those words were rewarding to hear.

Who really benefits in this scenario? It may sound like I do, but it is the patient—getting immunized protects himself and those around him. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-sponsored Health Care Cost & Utilization Project, an average of 4- to 5-day hospitalizations could have been prevented by simply getting the flu shot. 

So why doesn’t everyone get one? Lack of understanding of vaccine benefits and misinformation of its harmful effects appear to be the main reasons many do not get immunized.

As a child, I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, gliding along the ice, spending hours at ice rinks, and chasing the Olympic dream of being a competitive figure skater. I competed in both singles and pairs skating. During my figure skating career, my partner and I qualified for five U.S. National Competitions and one international event. 


In high school, while preparing for the competition that would qualify my partner and I for nationals, I fell 9 feet and landed on my back when my partner held me over his head for a split double twist lift. I didn’t know it at the time, but this incident would eventually lead me to the pharmacy profession.