Es importante que descanses

Story

Paula está otra vez en el centro del doctor Vargas. Hace un mes que no duerme bien y sigue muy cansada. El doctor la conoce desde hace años y, cuando ella entra por la puerta, él la mira con cara amable. "Me alegro de que vengas hoy," dice. "Pero no me gusta que sigas tan cansada. Pasa, pasa." Paula se sienta al lado de la mesa.

Paula is at Dr Vargas's surgery again. She has not slept well for a month and she is still very tired. The doctor has known her for years and, when she comes in through the door, he looks at her with a kind face. "I'm glad you've come today," he says. "But I don't like that you're still so tired. Come in, come in." Paula sits down beside the desk.

"Cuéntame," dice el doctor. Paula habla del trabajo, de las reuniones a las ocho, de las noches en las que mira la pared y no puede dormir. "Me duele la cabeza casi todos los días," dice. "Y por la tarde ya no puedo pensar bien." El doctor escucha con cuidado y escribe algo en un papel. "Entiendo. Es importante que me cuentes todo, porque así puedo ayudar."

"Tell me," says the doctor. Paula talks about work, about the meetings at eight, about the nights when she stares at the wall and cannot sleep. "My head hurts almost every day," she says. "And in the afternoon I can no longer think properly." The doctor listens carefully and writes something down. "I understand. It's important that you tell me everything, because that way I can help you."

Después de mirar a Paula un poco más, el doctor deja el papel sobre la mesa. "El cuerpo te está hablando," dice. "Es necesario que duermas más. Ocho horas, no menos. Y es mejor que no trabajes tanto. Sé que no es fácil, pero tu salud va primero." Paula quiere decir algo del trabajo, pero el doctor pone una mano amable sobre la mesa. "Lo sé. Lo sé."

After looking at Paula a little longer, the doctor puts the paper down on the desk. "Your body is talking to you," he says. "It's necessary that you sleep more. Eight hours, no less. And it's better that you don't work so much. I know it isn't easy, but your health comes first." Paula wants to say something about work, but the doctor lays a kind hand on the desk. "I know. I know."

"Me preocupa que sigas así," dice el doctor, y ahora su voz es un poco más seria. "Si no paras ahora, después va a ser peor. Es importante que pares de verdad, no solo un día. Quiero que vayas a casa pronto esta noche y que dejes el teléfono lejos de la cama." Paula piensa que tiene razón. Nadie le había dicho esas palabras tan claras.

"It worries me that you carry on like this," says the doctor, and now his voice is a little more serious. "If you don't stop now, it'll be worse later. It's important that you really rest, not just for one day. I want you to go home early tonight and to leave the phone far from the bed." Paula thinks he is right. Nobody had said such clear words to her.

El doctor también le da consejos buenos para comer mejor y para tener más calma. "Es bueno que comas bien y que salgas a dar un paseo," dice. "El descanso no es perder el tiempo. El descanso es parte del trabajo del cuerpo." Paula se alegra de escuchar eso. Hace mucho que necesitaba que alguien se lo dijera así, sin prisa.

The doctor also gives her good advice about eating better and being calmer. "It's good that you eat well and that you go out for a walk," he says. "Rest is not a waste of time. Rest is part of the body's work." Paula is glad to hear that. For a long time she had needed someone to tell her so like this, without rushing.

Cuando Paula sale del centro, ya es de noche, pero está más tranquila. "Ojalá pueda dormir esta noche," piensa. El doctor le ha dado otra cita para dentro de dos semanas. "Me alegro de que estés mejor," le ha dicho en la puerta. "Pero cuídate, por favor." Paula le da las gracias. Por primera vez en mucho tiempo, siente que alguien la ha escuchado de verdad.

When Paula leaves the centre, it is already night, but she is calmer. "I hope I can sleep tonight," she thinks. The doctor has given her another appointment for two weeks' time. "I'm glad you're better," he had said at the door. "But take care of yourself, please." Paula thanks him. For the first time in a long while, she feels that someone has truly listened to her.