INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE
One of our passions is to help all reach their full potential. We coach, cajole, recommend, prod and encourage. We also rejoice when our patients do well. We find good reading can provide that “ah ha” moment or information that just clicks for a certain patient or issue. We are constantly on the hunt for excellent resources to pass on to all. If you have come across a resource you have found particularly helpful, don’t be selfish! Please let us know so we can pass it on to others who may be facing similar issues. Below are just a few we have found to be very well written and worth a trip to the book store. We have copies of them all in our office if you’d like to take a look.
Younger Next Year, by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge, MD. One book for men, and another for woman, these books present a framework for rethinking the way we look at exercise, nutrition and socialization as we approach 50. “We do have to age, we don’t have to rot”, is the message, with inspirational banter from Chris, backed up by Henry with the science. We have had many patients report an “ah ha” moment after reading these books and generally have a stack of them on our shelf.
Aging Well, by George E. Vaillant, MD. A well written guide to findings from the “Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development”, this book presents the findings and insights from the three longest prospective studies of physical and mental health in the world.
Last Rites , by Stephen P. Kiernan. Subtitled “Rescuing the end of life from the medical system” this excellent read is a must for anyone who has a loved one approaching the end of life, providing food for thought regarding how patients and their families can “regain control of the dying process”.
The Blue Zones, by Dan Buettner. Subtitled “Lessons for living longer from the people who’ve lived the longest”, the author reports on 4 places where people appear to live extraordinarily long, and well. He offers recommendations on how we might incorporate lessons from these cultures into our everyday lives.
How Doctors Think, by Jerome Groopman, MD. Well titled and a question many patients might have! This is a must read for anyone who must interact with the HealthCare System on a regular basis, providing insights into how medical decisions are made and insights as to how you might determine whether you are being heard, and that your caregivers are really listening.
Learned Optimism, How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, by Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D. Written by one of the foremost researchers of Positive Psychology, this book discusses that we can actually evaluate whether we are an optimist or a pessimist by nature, and more importantly, that we can change the lens through which we see the world.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People , by Stephen Covey. This is the first in a classic series of books which review 7 habits that can serve as a framework for personal growth, be it physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual. This book does not present “gimmicks” or “quick fixes”, but general truths which we frequently overlook in our efforts to improve.
The Glycemic Load Diet, by Rob Thompson, MD. This is geared mainly toward those with mildly elevated blood sugar, but is applicable to anyone trying to lose weight. His easy to understand concepts help bring home the ‘why’, which is critical to any behavior modification effort. We have had a number of patients have great success utilizing this concept. Thanks to Tom for a great book recommendation!
For the Love of Food, the diet that works, by Eileen Behan, RD. This is one of nine books written by our local expert nutritionist. “Imagine a diet that is effective, but not restrictive”, is how the book opens. A great read, with advice and recipes from someone with over 20 years of experience. Let us know if you’d like to see her for a consult!
My Mother, Your Mother, By Dennis McCullough, MD. This book embraces the concept of “slow medicine”, a critical concept in implementing a compassionate approach to the care of aging loved ones. Dr. McCullough is an exceptionally well trained, and experienced family physician and geriatrician who passes on invaluable thought provoking and practical advice as our loved ones turn those “final few pages” of life.