- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
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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July 24, 2009
Blog: Stress got you down? Learn to bounce back
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Thank you for the comments in response to my recent blog about having a bad day. In particular, I appreciate the advice to resubmit my research proposal because maybe the committee was having a bad day when they reviewed it!
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If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.
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Over the years, I have learned not to overreact to setbacks. I ask what I can learn from the situation, and then I move on. Looking back wastes an enormous amount of energy. The past is gone and the future may not arrive, so all we have is the present moment.
Mindfulness — or staying in the moment — is a crucial survival tactic. Let me share with you a story. During the course of a recent day, one of my colleagues became very upset about a frustrating situation at work. He obviously was not a happy camper. I am sure his blood pressure was elevated and his pulse was racing. Another colleague asked him, "Is this a hill you are willing to die on?" What a powerful question. For most of us, these "hills" seem like mountains, but with time we see them for the little speed bumps they really are. We can all look back and think about circumstances that drove us absolutely crazy at the time but now seem insignificant.
The other side of the coin is appreciating the gifts and opportunities we are given each day. At a religious retreat several months ago, we were encouraged to take time before going to bed to think about all the positive things that had happened to us during the day. Regardless of our circumstances, every one of us can find something good in the events of the day.
What else can we learn from each other as our journeys unfold? And, again, thank you for your keen insights and support.
7 comments posted
September 28, 2009 10:51 a.m.
I always felt like I am up to no use. I can’t do any thing big, new or great. Comparatively I am not that creative also. These are the things I used to think and feel about my self. But that’s not true at all. I am much better than lots of people. I realized that I am pretty much talented and intellectual. Thanks to stop stressing program of Habit changer for improving myself with great ideas and tips.
- Kelly J
August 30, 2009 2:07 p.m.
That's a very insightful and written article. I think our society is overwhelmed with the negative effects of stress and we really need to learn how to free our minds from it. Another good article I stumbled across: http://www.helium.com/items/1571111-how-to-co
nquer-stress - Ilse
July 28, 2009 9:43 p.m.
How can someone bounce back when there mother has passed away, now there dad has cancer and is on hospice. When I found out the doctor put him on hospice it made me so sick, till i actually had to go to the doctor the next day. To get meds to help me cope with this. The meds help but I still have melt down. How can I function at work, I work at a prision, I surely dont want to have a melt down in front of inmates. If you have in sugestions please let me know. Stressed out in N.C
- Crystal
July 28, 2009 8:01 p.m.
Even though I have several stressful things going on in my life right now including the possibility of foreclosure and not having a place to move to, as well as being unemployed for over 3 and 1/2 years (which doesn't make getting a new job any easier), I have found one very good way of dealing with stress. In a word, it is Art. Creating something new. I am a composer and have had 10 of my works performed since the mid-1990's. I recently decided to take the plunge and compose a work for full orchestra which is a new experience. All my previous works are for small ensembles. I started work at the beginning of July and I am so happy with it and it makes me feel so good. (It's the computer software that enables me to hear what I have composed.) Creating art that makes one feel good about themselves is very empowering and can help relieve stress. I recommend it highly.
- Lisa
July 28, 2009 4:12 p.m.
"Is this the hill I want to die on" IS something to consider when you are having a bad day or a discouraging time in your life. Although thinking about those who are worse off than me works really well to put my life in perspective, it does not work for everyone. Sometimes it helps if you ask yourself whether you really want to do something or whether you really have to. If a situation continues to be overhwelming get help. All of us need assistance in sloving a problem at certain time in our lives.
- Barbara
July 27, 2009 10:06 a.m.
"mindfulness - keeping in the moment" - is my best strategy - especially when the worries of work sneak into my sleep and cause insomnia - sounds like you have read Ekhart Tolle's book The Power of Now..
- Brenda
July 24, 2009 2:32 p.m.
How can I move on when it's an ongoing situation? For example, suppose your father's chronically sick for the past year and getting worse, your mother's getting sick taking care of him, and you are living 3000 miles away wanting to move back and look after the parents but then what about one's marriage?
- Trina
7 comments posted