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    Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

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  • Stress blog

  • April 24, 2012

    Manage your time to reduce stress

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

4 comments posted

A famous philosopher once said that time is the most precious coin we have and we should use it wisely because once it is gone, it is gone forever. Let me explain.

Need more help?

If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
  • Call your physician, health provider or clergy
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

While my wife and I were in the checkout line of a "big box" store over the weekend, a gentleman behind us struck up a conversation. He was lamenting about how fatigued he was. We'd never met this gentleman before, but perhaps we'd somehow given him permission to speak. Here's what we heard.

At approximately 9:00 the previous evening, the man started to play a video game. The next time he looked at the clock it was 1:00 in the morning. He was angry and frustrated that he had completely wasted four hours of his life with nothing to show for it. He didn't find the game particularly enjoyable, he said, but he got pulled into it. The day had turned into a disaster since he was sleep-deprived, irritable and generally not a happy camper.

We each have 168 hours during the week. We make decisions about how we use that time. If we're wise, we set priorities, acknowledging that we have responsibilities, but also carve out time for ourselves. Without a plan, however, it's easy to let our precious time slip away. Once this treasure is gone, it can never be retrieved.

4 comments posted

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  • August 31, 2012 5:18 a.m.

    Difinitely , the main cause of stress is the long hours worked.

    - Tim

  • May 26, 2012 1:06 p.m.

    Thiis is so true as Kenny Cheney wrote the song don't blink. Most of my family are deceased.and the most of the rest of my family are well I can't say.are not nice and fair people there is karma you do reap what you sow.sorry Kenny spelled last name wrong.why waste time life is so short none of us young or old do not know when our last breathe will come grow wake smell the rose while you can get rid of all the drama some people live for. Laugh ,love,put God no1 do not sweat the small stuff which everyone does get a life keep your nose out of everyone else's business .DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD WANT OTHERS TO DO TO YOU AND THEIR LOVED ONES think about this.

    - Dawn alias Vicky

  • May 7, 2012 10:23 a.m.

    Awhile back you had a blog about computer technology being meant to save time but we all seem to be more short of time even with it. The computer is a wonderful tool but you have to wonder if the knowledge and time gained by it is worth the extra time one tends to waste on it. Are we happier, more stress fee people because of it?

    - Carol

  • May 4, 2012 8:31 a.m.

    The last two posts have been really helpful, as time pressures are always an issue. Thank you

    - carol

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