- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward 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 health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) 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. 16, 2011
Protect yourself from workplace stress
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Our institution is in the midst of one of the largest construction projects in our history. It will involve years of construction and hundreds of workers. When you walk by the site, it's obvious that there's a tremendous emphasis on safety. Throughout the complex signs are posted that say safety is everyone's responsibility.
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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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Each worker is required to wear a construction-grade helmet, protective eyewear when appropriate, steel-toe shoes and a safety harness when working above ground level. Some of the work involves creating pedestrian tunnels, and those workers receive additional instruction in the high-risk aspects of the job.
This experience made me reflect that each of us works in high-risk situations. You may not use heavy equipment or be at risk of falling, but is your work environment one of stress, deadlines and demands that often exceed your resources?
The risks are different but no less real. If you sit back and do nothing, you run the risk of a major injury, which might be a stroke, a heart attack, diabetes, or a host of emotional issues such as anxiety and insomnia. So what can you do to protect yourself?
Taking care of your physical and mental health is your best defense. You can shift the odds in your favor with a few simple rules, such as getting a good night's sleep, exercising and reaching out to others when you need help. No person is an island, and we depend on each other for strength and comfort.
What have I missed from this construction scene?
6 comments posted
August 26, 2011 6:00 a.m.
I drive 60 miles a day, three hundred miles a week to have a job. Why doesn't anyone talk bout driving stres? Where are all the wellness nazis on this topic? Average commuter speeds are 10 miles an hour above the speed limit. Maybe 30-40% drive 80-85 while tailgating, weaving in and out, blabbing on their cell phones, etc. Big trucks don't brake on down hill grades and are on top of you in seconds. Plus, in my area, bad weather is common in winter -- doubling the commute to two -three nerve wracking hours. Stress. Oh yes. Funny that with 30,000 to 40,000 deaths a year and over two million "accidents," no one treats this as a wellness or health issue!
- Domenica
August 25, 2011 8:48 a.m.
Oh, workplace stress! Deadlines! Demands! You're right -- even when it's not at the level of hard hats and goggles, we should be tuned into the impact of stress on our bodies. In addition to the good defenses of sleep, exercise and asking for help, I would emphasize good nutrition. The right nutrients can be our best allies!
- TeamFortitech
August 25, 2011 3:22 a.m.
We need to take precautions as well to save us from getting stressed in workplace. I've implementing these strategies and it has great impact. Now I know what kinds of situation can make me stressed and I tired to avoid the situation. If I can't avoid I try to solve it rather than leave it untreated.
- Samiul
August 24, 2011 3:54 p.m.
I liked the article as I do many of those in this newsletter. I am at present off work due to episodes of anxiety and depression due to the nature of my work in a hospital school and having a huge range of students most with some very chronic mental health issues. I have unfortunately taken on board too much emotion and ownership of things I have no control of. My problems have been increased due to the work environment and other people most significantly a "bully boss" who had no idea of the in- class pressures due to the complexity of the mix of students. I am currently visiting a psychologist on a weekly basis and have had assistance from a psychiatrist. Both have begun to reframe not only my working environment and expectations but have begun to give me back "my life". GET HELP when you know things are getting out of hand and take control of your circumastance as there had to be a better way so all involved are protected from burnout. The bottom line is that putting yourself under too much pressure helps no one even those you are trying to help. cheers tom
- Tom
August 19, 2011 9:59 a.m.
Gwenah, It is not too late to make friends at work. People may be surprised at first, but they will be happy to chat. It really does make the work day better. Start out slow and try it ~ best wishes! One of the other ways I keep life in perspective is to always take a lunch break. Most of my co-workers work through lunch, but I need that bit of free time for myself. People find me to be relaxed, but that is only because I try hard to take care of my own happiness. Still there is always room for improvement. Thanks for the great topic ~ Cheers!
- Michelle
August 16, 2011 2:24 a.m.
.. i missed everything.. from being busy and all focused on works given to me, i think i have missed everything that pertains to "having a life"..having a life in the sense that, i no longer have time to have some simple/quick chats with my friends here at my workplace.. oh how i wish i know how to start reaching out for them again.. i dont know how plus im thinking negative that they may reject me now that i have turned into a snobbish type of person when im at work..
- gwenah
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