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

A casual meeting with an old friend at a holiday gathering provided some crucial insights into dealing with stress. Over the past several months, our community has focused on issues such as rest, taking care of ourselves, prioritizing our energies and keeping in the present rather than focusing on the future. He is an important example of why these tactics are so important.

My friend is a gentleman in his early fifties who lives in a large Midwestern city. For many years, he has been a visible and high profile director of a human services agency. Each day his soul is touched by caring for the single mother; the disenfranchised; the marginalized; the homeless; the chemically dependent; the elderly. He provides a voice for those without voices.

On the other hand, his work is touched by a faceless bureaucracy from the state capital which has a simple mantra: cut costs and balance the bottom line regardless of the sufferings that might ensue. This agency is the only safety net that these people have.

For many years, my friend has been able to creatively navigate these troubled administrative orders with dignity and compassion. But the lights went out and the curtain came down on an icy North Dakota highway.

He was involved in a multicar wreck when his car was totaled by an out-of-control tractor trailer. My friend shared with me the deafening sound of shattering glass and twisted metal. His injuries were primarily muscular aches and pains, and these improved over a number of weeks. However, something strange then happened.

Typically a high octane performer, he became drained by midafternoon. At his press conferences, he was clearly irritable and did not have the quick wit which endeared him to so many constituents. His wife noticed that he was becoming more distant and withdrawn.

He sought medical attention and the diagnosis was that of a postconcussion syndrome. He was assured on the basis of tests and scans that this would get better, but it would take time. However, he clearly needed to develop a toolbox of survival.

Here is what the professionals told him:

• Rest, even to the point of taking a nap or curtailing a schedule so that you are home by 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
• Exercise consisting at a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes of walking on most days of the week.
• Establish an ongoing relationship with a professional mental health provider to walk through some of these frustrations, but most importantly, "thou shall not multitask."

It was explained to him when we do two things at once this overloads the circuits, confusion and errors result, and fatigue becomes magnified.

After several months of following these rules and suggestions, he gradually improved, but he did share with me that the near-death experience made him realize the value of each day; the importance of health; and the catalysts for healing that faith and family can provide.

As we head into our holiday season, may we also have comfort from faith, family, and friends and may our days be filled with peace, joy, and serenity.

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