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Stress

With Mayo Clinic oncologist Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

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September 20, 2007 4:35 p.m.

Stress: Welcome to our new blog

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By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

One day after I was asked to do six things at once, I "Googled" the word "stress." Guess what? 234,000,000, yes, million, citations erupted on my laptop. This is not funny. So, what can we do about a pandemic engulfing each of us?

Welcome to our stress blog community, where I have the privilege to hear from fellow travelers and share some of my experiences in dealing with stress. We learn from each other.

With cell phones, Blackberries, Palms, Treos, email, iPods, Wi Fi, it seems there is no place to hide.

Story: While at a farmer's market last week, I visited with an acquaintance, late 40s, who walked with a limp. "What happened?" I asked. She told me her groin was sore at site of a recent cardiac angiogram, which showed 90 percent blockage of five, yes, five arteries in the heart. Bypass successful. Told to get off the corporate treadmill or she will be dead from stress-induced issues. Her family can hand out all of her professional publications at the wake.

So ... what can we learn from this woman? How do any of us survive the current techno-tsunami? We are all in the same boat and it is called the Titanic.

Here is what I try to do each day:

Exercise. I am a runner and this for me is one great way to start the day.
Thoughtful time to meditate, prayerful reflections
Make a list of what I need to do today for me

So, what do each of you do to achieve "emotional buoyancy" or let's call it resiliency?

Please, share your thoughts and stories.

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155 comments posted

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Back to posting index

June 16, 2008 4:02 p.m.

Our way of dealing is of course, the deep breath. After my husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the Mayo Clinic in March 2008, we decided to live as normal as possible even though this was not something that we wanted to hear. My husband has a very good sense of humor and we continuously make jokes about our situation. We are an older couple that have seen some hardships but this is the most stressful. As the wife, I use self-talk a lot and find that is very helpful. Going to a very quiet place and taking a very long walk by myself helps with the thoughts from the day. Being on guard to watch for the signs: body aches, which normally don't appear can be eliminated if you just stop long enough to think about what is causing those aches. I can 99% of the time figure out with some thought what is causing the problem and take the necessary action. Don't let the stress of the day build up and carry to the next. A fresh start is so necessary for a good day. Giving to him is the thing that keeps me going.

- Rachel Osborn

May 17, 2008 9:31 p.m.

One of the things that I've learned about stress is that it's insidious - it can creep up on our lives and before we know it we've developed all sorts of side effects thanks to the 1400 chemical and physical events that take place with each stressful event. I've learned and now coach people how to stop that stress response in the moment - some of those stress hormones stay in our bodies for up to 13 hours...and people wonder why they don't have a good sleep! I sell a laptop or portable device which shows very quickly how our thoughts and feelings affect our heart rhythms and subsequently our health and sense of well-being. We don't always have time to relax, go for a run, or do any of the other things that restore us, but what we can do is learn techniques to balance us in the moment. Suffice to say that by using the educational technology and the techniques I now teach to others, my life has changed!!! And, that's a wonderful thing! www.changeofheart.ca

- Marianna Paulson

May 7, 2008 2:17 p.m.

Thank you for bringing more attention to the topic of daily stress. I've written an article on 16 stress management techniques. Feel free to read. http://lifejelly.org/2008/05/05/ultimate-stress-relief-guide/

- Jerry G.

March 30, 2008 7:35 p.m.

Stress is a national epidemic that needs to be controlled. Too bad children aren't taught how to effectively deal with stress and anxiety. Come to think of it, most adults aren't taught either until it's too late. Tom Eng www.helpspotlight.com

- Tom Eng

March 21, 2008 12:15 a.m.

Hey Cathy about the "stress eraser" gadget you asked... there is nothing with that exact name, but there's good news for you. There are these machines called biofeedback machines that record your body functions like you said. The results show on the screen and people are taught how to slow down their breathing in order to reduce their blood pressure and heart rate. The results are visible on the screen and the pacient learns how to use these bretahing excercises to "calm down" when stressed. Of course we can't COMPLETELY control our body functions but by applying breathing excercises we can do a decent job at it!

- Alejandro

March 17, 2008 7:45 a.m.

I have not read through all these blogs and I'm sure someone has asked this question. I'm 49 years old and feel like I have a form of social anxiety but I am not sure.Here are the signs, maybe all you out there that have it and are taking medication can tell me if it works and the best ones. I blush real easy, and because of this blushing I tend to avoid situations that may cause it.Most all my anxiety comes from this blushing problem. I avoid way to many things in my life because of this , especially events with bright lights. Help!!!

- Tom

March 15, 2008 10:35 p.m.

Feelings of stress can be very powerful but I believe the power of the mind is even more powerful. Jaleh Donaldson Author, Life's Little How To Book

- Jaleh Donaldson

March 10, 2008 11:13 a.m.

I am not aware of a device called a "stress eraser." But am very open to learn from others who may know of this instrument. Thank you for asking about it.

- Dr. Ed Creagan

March 9, 2008 11:45 p.m.

Has anyone here ever heard of a little gadget called the Stress Eraser? It supposedly provides biofeedback to prompt the user to alter his/her breathing and shows the progress/changes on screen. Is this something worth investigating and purchasing? Has anyone here used it? What are its limitations? Thanks!

- Cathy

February 27, 2008 1:12 p.m.

I`ve had health problems all my life.In H. S. became bedridden.Lumbar had two "tangerines".parents took me to doctors with no real luck.Parents were poor & couldn`t afford to take me anywhere else. Gov. told them to not even try to get disability for me. All "friends" departed Completely. I`m 46 now& both parents have died.Wish I had a support group & money like all the people who judge me. Don`t know what I`ll do. Just search& pray& hope a miracle comes before I`m on the street or dead. Hanging in there Just Barely.Does anyone have any non-critical words of wisdom? Been hanging in there, but at the end of my rope. P. S. Thanks for letting me have a voice! That alone alone has been Very therapeutic! God bless!

- No name given