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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." - Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic. Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's Web sites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the Web site) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
Latest entries
- Stress and illness
Nov. 20, 2009
- Reach out
Nov. 7, 2009
- Focus on the finish line
Oct. 30, 2009
- Set limits
Oct. 24, 2009
- Head in the game
Oct. 17, 2009
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Stress blog
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April 10, 2009
Finding calm in the storm
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Most of us are familiar with the concept of the "perfect storm." This term comes from a book and later a movie about a combination of wind, weather and temperature that created the storm of the century. But let me share with you my own perfect storm.
While visiting with patients and their families in our hospital last week, I was deluged with requests for my attention: my cell phone cried out, my medical pager beeped and text streamed across my pager. At the same time, colleagues had questions and inquiries about medical matters. It was a recipe for a physical and a psychological meltdown!
We know from research that when a mouse is given electrical shocks that he can control or escape, the mouse will do just fine. However, if the mouse is intermittently shocked and has no escape and no control, he will give up and become physically ill. Is it any wonder that many of us are buckling under the influence of techno-stress?
Now, please understand that these events were not life-and-death medical emergencies. They were primarily scheduling and administrative responsibilities. Still it was a real wake-up call for me that we cannot be passive about maintaining some control over our lives.
This experience made me understand a comment from a colleague over the weekend, who told me that he'd slept all day Saturday after a hectic week at work. "The tank was dry, there was nothing left, and I needed time to recuperate," he explained.
So, from my own experience and that of my colleague, here are a couple of things that I need to do to survive. This is nothing new, but we all need to be reminded to be preemptive and proactive as we go through our daily lives. So, here are some of the things I am much more consciously doing:
- Batching calls and e-mails to be handled at one time. Obviously, the emergency cannot be ignored, but in reality there are not many emergencies.
- Writing a to-do list that focuses on the one or two "mission critical" tasks of the day and focusing on completing those tasks.
- Carving out time to chill, recover and recuperate. Obviously, what provides rejuvenation is different for each of us. It may be a warm bath, a yoga session, running or some similar activity. We all need time to repair our souls.
We are all in the same boat here. Please share with us how you weather the storm.
8 comments posted
October 7, 2009 12:17 a.m.
Stress is something that we build upon ourselves - we have no one else to blame. Trying to attach too much importance to some not so important stuff and having too many expectations can lead to a great deal of stress. Its best to avoid stressful situations and if that is totally unavoidable try not to get yourself involved where keeping yourself away will work best. Too often we find ourselves dragged into stressful situations at work, at home or with friends. While you cannot disassociate yourself from everything, the best thing to do would be to get away from it for a while, turn the mind away from the problem, take yourself away from a situation even it its only for a short while. I play with my pet which is great stress buster. I also listen to music, do some other chore, go for a walk or sometimes watch a funny show. At the end of it your mind is clear and you may have thought of a strategy to overcome a problem. Moderate physical and mental activity is a must. Crossword puzzles, word games or even just typing out a blog can take away from the situation getting the better of you. Ultimately you must realize that there are millions out there with problems that are far more complicated and in situations that are worse than the one you are in. It is absolutely important to prevent yourself feeling victimized.
- Priyadarshini
June 16, 2009 4:40 p.m.
severely disabled now in a motorised scooter, I weather storm by humour and seeking a sheltered spot away from fraught and trauma. watching water too helps as in the sea, the sound of birds, watching my two chihuahuas play. No confrontations, I dont need that anymore. Lowering expectations and accepting the now and what can be done with the body as it is. i am flamboyant in dress with scooter dressed to kill in colourful flowers. If others laugh, I laugh and problems fly even if briefly. Humour is a soul thing.
- ann kennedy
May 7, 2009 1:49 p.m.
I watch beautiful scenic relaxation videos and display them on my flat panel HDTV and it's like being there. I love watching beautiful scenery with waterfalls, rivers, mountains and wildlife with beautiful music. It's a great way to escape and decompress after a hectic day and are also useful as a meditation tool.
- Charmaine Anderson
April 14, 2009 4:59 p.m.
I was diagnoised with lymphoma that had gone to my bones in April of 06. 6-6-06 My 37 yeqr old son commited suciced leaving an 18 year old boy, a 5 year old daughter and a wonderful wife. I live my life to do the next right thing. By helping my family get through this I was able to care for myself; nurturing them nurtured me. Taking note to eat well and sleep/nap often. I nevered missed a day of work with all my treatments. Doc gave me 5 years, I'm well into year 3, taken 3 vacations, 4 business trips and traveled out side of the US once. My Motto: Keep A "Go-in." Sherry B.
- Sherry B.
April 13, 2009 1:04 a.m.
I do, or think of anything different than what I was doing or thinking of when I felt the stress coming on. It usually only takes just a few minutes to get my mind settled and back on track.
- Rae
April 11, 2009 10:39 p.m.
There are many things I do to relieve stress, cope with negative thoughts, feelings of sadness, or to keep myself in tune with life's rhythm, stay focused, and on top of things. (1. My morning devotion after breakfast. I read the "Daily Word," which includes a verse from the Bible and how it relates to the topic for the day and the lesson, daily life, etc. I then pray -- sometimes more in length than others -- but always praying the Lord's Prayer. (2. I listen to music off and on during the day and at night before going to sleep. (3. I look at the pictures of my deceased grandparents and parents. I commune with them to gather strength from them. (4. I think about my two beautiful and loving grandchildren, my daughter and her husband, my son, and my husband, and how important they are to me. I think about my extended family members and friends. (5. I take naps. (6. I focus and concentrate on my strengths, skills, etc. There are more things I do, but these are the main things that help me with my every day life and keep me happy and uplifted.
- Janet M. Schleusner
April 11, 2009 4:18 p.m.
For immediate relief, a mind trick - if you are indoors, think you are on the other side of the window, breathing fresh air, far and blocked from all the sounds and people that ask for your attention (even for five seconds). This helps me give the sense that the moment of intense pressure will pass and there are good places to go after.
- Luciana Cozman
April 11, 2009 10:40 a.m.
foster puppies -- there's little stress that can survive an onslaught of puppies. or just pet your dog.
- Len Lattanzi
8 comments posted