Eliminate what's not essential
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/responsibility-to-say-no/MY02127
- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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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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June 13, 2012
Eliminate what's not essential
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
From workshops and seminars, I have learned invaluable lessons about trying to survive the stress of balancing work and family. One message is consistent: You must take care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. You must recognize that you have limits.
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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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At a recent presentation, a wise nurse shared the "Oxygen Mask Theory." If a plane loses cabin pressure and you don't put on our own oxygen mask, you will quickly lose consciousness and won't be able to help anyone. Yes, you must take care of yourself or you won't go the distance.
At a recent retreat dealing with end-of-life issues that I attended, a wise advisor encouraged those of us in the audience to eliminate or prune non-essential commitments. Let me give you an example.
Several months ago, I was invited to speak in another country. I was honored but lukewarm about the commitment. When a preliminary invitation finally came in the mail, it was profoundly liberating to simply say, "No, I will not be able to participate." I didn't give any excuses — just gave a straightforward decline. And I felt as if 50 pounds were lifted from my skinny shoulders.
You have options. You have alternatives. You have the right — and the responsibility — to say "no."
Follow me on Twitter at @EdwardCreagan. Join the discussion at #Stress.
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