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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.
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Stress blog
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Aug. 20, 2009
Blog: Filtering out the noise
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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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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By virtue of being human, we each struggle with common issues of stress, physical ailments and, equally important, psychological burdens of loneliness, isolation and frustration. Regardless of our credentials, bank accounts or zip codes, we all struggle with the same issues.
It is interesting to hear the different tactics that many of us use to cope. Some use visualization either with high definition television or mental imagery of peaceful themes of nature. Others use music or exercise to rejuvenate the spirit.
We obviously need to be creative as we are bombarded each day by demands and expectations, which are fueled by the digital world we live in. Each of us is only an email away from any individual on the planet.
One of the lessons I have learned is the importance of using a list of priorities to determine where to spend my energy. What are the tasks that I need to accomplish today and what are my short- and long-term goals? Once I have these clearly in focus, I am better able to prioritize the stream of demands and expectations coming at me.
I am very interested in hearing how others filter out the noise and keep on task. Please share your experiences.
9 comments posted
October 8, 2009 10:46 p.m.
I am 51 years old. My children are all grown and gone. I have been single for 10 years now. I have learned that if I don't pace myself throughout my days I end up over tired and feel I can not deal with all the pressures of life. I wake up to a nice cup of coffee, I sit on my couch and enjoy it - either listening to some morning news or reading a inspirational devotional. I don't rush around as much as I used to. I sit down when I need to. I drink lots of water. I'll call a friend and chat for a moment. I also play my piano. This in itself takes away so much tension. I just close my eyes and let my fingers go! It's the best therapy I know of for me!! - Music has a way of calming the soul.
- Renee
September 29, 2009 2:24 p.m.
I think relaxation techniques are something that most of us need to learn how to do. My busy life does not allow me time to relax unless I make time for it. I had to find the tools to help me do this. I went on line and googled it. I found a great website filled with useful information for me and my family. StressFreeKids.com. My kids are doing better because I am calmer and I am teaching them at an early age to manage stress with tools they can use for the rest of their life!
- Andrea
August 27, 2009 11:45 p.m.
I'm 73 with a neurological problem which has affected my mobility. I started downloading converting & creating DVDs for kids consisting of Rhymes, DVDs of wild Life/Nature/Universe & it is very calming to watch kids watching rhymes with rapt attention. I give my DVDs free to kids. I pick up old photos of friends & relatives to make VCD/DVD with nice music to present to them. My self esteem & metal balance has increased manifold due to all these. I watch all animals & fish on TV mostly sound MUTED.
- caca
August 27, 2009 6:07 p.m.
My routine consists of starting the day with a cup of freshly-brewed coffee and journaling. I keep two journals: a "Nature Journal" in which I note the basics of high and low temperatures for the day as well as the weather and observations I have made in nature, eg, wildlife sightings, wildflowers seen, how my garden progresses. The other is my "Reflection Journal" in which I reflect on what is going on in my life. I use a free-flow thought process while writing. This helps me work through any life issues I may be facing at that particular time. Otherwise, it could merely be a mundane listing of what I may have done the day before. The important thing is just to write - everyday! It is imperative that I start my day with a stretching/ yoga routine, which is also a form of meditation for me. This truly centers me and limbers up my body. I have been doing this (concentrating on my body core to ward off back problems) for many years. I have had no television service for over three years and do not miss it. I also avoid listening to the negative news media broadcasts for the most part. Filtering out radio, television, car radio helps calm my nerves. When I do listen to music, I usually choose cd's over radio. My television is used to watch dvd's.
- Carol
August 27, 2009 12:31 a.m.
Absolutely, and I feel as humans we 'need' to gain clarity and insight into some of these bigger questions, e.g. what is the purpose of live, what is the purpose of my life, what is the purpose of this decade in my life, this, year, this month and finally what is the purpose of today. These can be big questions, but through decades of looking into this I have just not discovered a way of avoiding it. So each evening I compile a list of 6 tasks I need to accomplish the next day, just 6 that take me closer to my purpose/s In the morning I wake at 4:00, and spend 2 hours in my own personal practice of yoga, chanting, formless meditation and contemplation. During this practice I recall those purposes I have already quantified and remember that it all comes down to what I do in this day, today. Today is the day I either take another small step towards those goals (with its resultant meaning and growing confidence), or I get lost and reinforce old dysfunctional, usually useless habit patterns. What I have found so incredibly useful is the need for a personal life philosophy, something that is able to hold all the levels of my 'being' and 'becoming' together, giving it a singular purpose and clarity. I find that without taking the time in the morning to do this and just walking into the day cold, its just so damn easy to get lost in clutter, memory and reaction, and before knowing it the day is gone in a vague blur of unconsciousness and unawareness. Take care
- Paul
August 26, 2009 7:49 p.m.
I can really relate to Marcia's comments. I've started my day with quiet time for numerous years, getting up earlier than I must in order to do this for myself. During this time, I say a few words of gratitude for the day, for myself and for my life to live. It centers me and reminds me of the perspective I want to have during the day ahead. Sometimes it's the only peaceful time to myself that I have all day, so I cherish it. If my husband gets up with me, he respects my need for my special time, and quietly reads his paper or watches TV news with the volume on 'mute'. I'm intrigued by the idea of wearing ear plugs during the day to block noise and listen to breathing and steps. I do 'mindfulness' meditation and this would certainly help me. Thanks for the idea Cindi.
- Chele
August 26, 2009 7:12 p.m.
I try to start my day quietly without any phone calls, emails,TV or conversation. It is my time to read something spiritual, meditate, plan and center myself. Sometimes I also take a walk in the garden or journal. I notice a big difference if I don't start my day that way--the world's energy rather overwhelms my own natural rhythm.
- Marcia
August 25, 2009 10:30 p.m.
I grew up in a household where the t.v. was on constantly. It's taken me some time to get used to quiet, and it's great. Sometimes I put in ear plugs (made by an audiologist to fit my ear) and just enjoy blocking out any distractions. With ear plugs, I only hear my own breathing and steps. It's sort of meditative. I don't have to take in and consider anything else. Just my breathing - even if I'm doing housework! It helps me concentrate on the task (or relaxation) at hand.
- Cindi
August 25, 2009 3:30 p.m.
Well driving, I don't listen to the radio and if possible keep windows up to drown out road noise. It is much more calming than a constant radio chatter or outside noise. I try to do the same in the house in terms of TV/radio---nothing on just silence--it is a very calm atmosphere.
- Chris
9 comments posted