Volume 2, Issue 4
In Good Hands
Excerpts From Our Free Monthly Newsletter
For The Friends and Patients of Dr. David Darrow  **********************
Did You Know?...

1.  How to prevent Burnout...
Burnout is an extreme state of distress that has manifested in disease.

Stress of this sort will eventually manifest in disease, such as high blood pressure, depression, ulcers, heart disease, cancer, etc. In these days of economic down turning and stress, it is important to remember that life is all about change.  You are the most important agent in your own health and wellness.  It is ultimately up to you to make the choices to create a healthy, balanced, vibrantly alive, meaningful, fun, and happy life.  This is a continuous, moment-by-moment process.  Every step, choice, and thought makes a difference. It is helpful to get clear about your personal values and priorities. Make sure you know what is important to you and why.  Then, make choices that bring you in line with these values and support your priorities.

2.  Patients in hospitals or nursing homes who have regular visits from their pets are more receptive to treatment. Their pets bring love and acceptance that boosts self-esteem and helps give the patient the incentive to recover and the will to live. Animal programs in nursing homes helped residents to come alive and lifted their spirits. For a widow or widower whose wife or husband has died, a pet may be the only being that they can touch, cuddle and talk to, giving them that kind of feeling of intimacy which is so important for us to feel alive. A pet can help us cope not only with the loss of a loved one, but help us adapt to changing circumstances such as an illness or a change in living arrangements.

Dogs and cats help us overcome the pain of loneliness by supplying companionship and affection. Pets can also supply a sense of security and protection. Pets can make you laugh and divert your mind away from your troubles. They also broaden your circle of friends and encourage good health through exercise. Studies show that pets can aid relaxation, lower one's blood pressure, promote health, and prolong life. They help us unwind. Nurtured by the affectionate attention of pets, stress and anxiety fly away. A cuddle a day may just keep the doctor away. But if hugs are hard to come by, the next best thing may be a dog or a cat on the lap.
:-) Dr.D.