Jun 24, 2019 – Dr Joseph Maroon was recently the guest speaker discussing his latest book at  the local Good Guys luncheon hosted by former PG sports reporter Jim O’Brien.  Staff writer Harry Funk, from  Almanac News wrote a review of Dr Maroon’s book, Square One: A Simple guide to a Balanced Life, along with several stories of Dr Maroon’s athlete accomplishments.

At the root of “Square One,” he (Maroon) explained, is a book he received in high school but didn’t read until a few decades later. “I Dare You!” by Ralston-Purina founder William Danforth (1870-1955) presents four key components in life need to be in balance, and as adapted by Maroon, they are work, family/social, spiritual and physical.

Dr Maroon also is promoting his book as a tool to help those in the healthcare profession facing burnout.  Overworked, overwhelmed, overcommitted, overanxious, and overextended. More than half of all doctors report symptoms of burnout. However, burnout goes beyond the scope of just medical professionals. In a recent Gallup poll, 40 percent of American workers were so stressed that they felt no borders between work and life outside of their job. Essentially, we live to work!

Career burnout is often associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep problems, substance abuse, and even suicidal ideation. Long hours and heavy workloads lead to feeling initially overwhelmed, then apathetic, and finally, just plain numb. Furthermore, physician burnout has consequences that directly impact patients and workplace associates. Prolonged work hours, borderline inhumane productivity expectations, and a sea of governmental regulations distress many devoted physicians and health care workers. These and other stressors can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion, depersonalization from patients, medical errors, intolerance, cynicism and a lower sense of personal accomplishment – all of which are classic signs of burnout.

Go to www.maroonsquareone.com to learn more about Square One book.