BOOK ENDORSEMENTS
"I wish I had read this book during my nine years as White House doctor! Dr. Robyn Tiger’s brilliant and practical guide to ALL physicians can be lifesaving, life-altering, and life-enhancing."
It is a MUST read for any physician and health care professional seeking peace, purpose, and passion in their lives."
E. Connie Mariano, MD, FACP
White House Doctor (1992 – 2001)
Author, The White House Doctor: My Patients were Presidents
Founder, Center for Executive Medicine
"Feeling Stressed Is Optional offers an essential lifeline to physicians grappling with the all-too-common struggles of chronic stress and burnout. As a Chief Wellness Officer, I find Robyn's holistic approach, grounded in Lifestyle Medicine, to be both profoundly empathetic and remarkably practical.
This book is an invaluable guide for any healthcare professional seeking not just to survive, but to truly thrive in their personal and professional life."
Amber Orman, MD, DipABLM
Chief Wellness Officer, AdventHealth Medical Group
"Feeling Stressed Is Optional is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking practical, evidence-based strategies to manage stress effectively. Dr. Tiger expertly integrates the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine with experiential activities that empower readers to take control of their well-being.
This book is a must-read for those looking to cultivate resilience and lead a more balanced life."
Melissa Sundermann, DO, FACOI, DipABLM, FACLM
Lifestyle Medicine Physician
"Feeling Stressed Is Optional is the best place to begin if you are looking for achievable small goals to improve your lifestyle! As a leader in physician wellbeing for over a decade I can truly say Robyn Tiger's book is long overdue and such a gift to our world. Her work in well-being can help physicians or any person wanting less stress, better balance, or an easy recipe to implement tools to improve their health and have a more fulfilling life.
What an excellent resource this is for physicians to do a book club and establish camaraderie like in the good old days of the doctors lounge!"
Michelle L Thompson, DO, AOBFP, ABOIM, DipABLM, FACLM
Medical Director Lifestyle Medicine
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
"Dr. Tiger did an amazing job of combining her lived experiences and clinical expertise to distill the science and the art of stress management in our daily lives. While frequently under-appreciated, both acute and chronic stress are mediators of many common diseases. This book uses a unique approach of tapping into the power of the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine to mitigate stress.
As an interventional cardiologist dealing with high stress situations on a daily basis and a Lifestyle Medicine expert, I strongly endorse this book."
Koushik R. Reddy, MD, FACC, FACLM, DipABLM, LMI
Lifestyle Medicine Physician
"As a physician deeply committed to lifestyle and integrative medicine, I am profoundly impressed by Dr. Robyn Tiger's book, Feeling Stressed Is Optional. Dr. Tiger masterfully combines her extensive medical expertise with practical, evidence-based strategies to offer a comprehensive guide for managing stress. Her holistic approach resonates deeply with my own values and practices, emphasizing the importance of nutrition, exercise, sleep, and social connection in achieving optimal health.
This book is not just a read; it empowers individuals to take control of their well-being. Dr. Tiger's compassionate and insightful guidance makes complex concepts accessible and actionable, providing invaluable tools for both personal and professional growth. I wholeheartedly recommend Feeling Stressed Is Optional to anyone seeking to transform their relationship with stress and enhance their quality of life personally and professionally."
Dawn M. Mussallem, DO, DipABLM
Medical Director Humanities in Medicine
Chair Employee Well-being Mayo Clinic Florida
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Jacoby Center for Breast Health
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
"Feeling Stressed Is Optional is a transformative guide that I am incredibly grateful to have as a resource. As a busy physician, I truly appreciate how Dr. Tiger masterfully integrates tools from Lifestyle Medicine into a 'stress-free toolbox;' her approach is both practical and empowering.
Dr. Tiger explains the WHAT, WHY, and HOW behind each tool, so the reader not only learns how to manage stress, but gains insight into how these strategies enhance overall health and well-being. I know this book will help so many on their journey to a healthier, more balanced life."
Amy Comander, MD, DipABLM
Director of Lifestyle Medicine, Mass General Cancer Center
Director of Breast Oncology and Survivorship, Mass General Cancer Center in Waltham and at Newton Wellesley
"For a physician, burnout has risen as high as 62.8% in 2021. Having experienced burnout, dissatisfaction, and depression myself, the first three steps for a 'way out' are awareness, vulnerability and courage.
I did not sign up for the moral injury that came with endless hours spent in front of the EMR instead of my patients, the politics, the bureaucracy of the health system and insurance companies, and the rise of the chronic disease burden that afflicts our nation. I did not feel prepared or equipped for it all. This is where Dr. Robyn’s story resonated with me. I found the tools and knowledge, and most importantly implemented them.
It is time to be more of a human being than just a human doing. Physicians are people too and we have a responsibility to ourselves and a duty to the people we serve to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first! Dr. Robyn in her book lays it out in a simple, concise approach to applying her strategies. Like any behavioral change, it takes time, reinforcement, and repetition. If this resonates with you, just like Nike, JUST DO IT. You’ll be glad you did."
Colin Zhu, DO, FACLM, DipABLM, Chef
Author of Thrive Medicine: How to Cultivate Your Desires and Elevate Your Life
Founder of TheChefDoc
Host of the Thrive Bites Podcast
"When I first met Dr. Robyn Tiger at a Lifestyle Medicine conference in 2022, I was in awe (and admittedly) a bit jealous of how calm, cool, and collected she was. How did she 'have it all together', and 'What is she smoking?'
I met several amazing Lifestyle Medicine female physicians at this conference and from there we formed a LM Gals group. Since then we have stayed connected, and we share about ourselves, and lift each other up on a regular basis. This bond reminds of Steel Magnolias in that we are all from different walks of life and have our own unique experiences, and yet, our struggles are real, and we endure them with humility, compassion, and encourage each other.
When Robyn invited me to read her book, I was truly honored. Robyn’s heartfelt words are relatable, genuine, and full of passion. Her message resonates not only with physicians, but with anyone who struggles with feelings of imposter syndrome and burnout.
Get ready to dive into this book and take 'bite size' snacks of stress management to optimize your health and wellbeing one piece at a time!"
Christina Lucas Vougiouklakis, DO, DipABLM, FACLM
Clinic Medical Director/Director of Lifestyle Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine
Promedica Healthcare System
"Dr. Robyn Tiger has created an indispensable master class in self-care for all of us, but especially for those in the healing professions! Through quotes, anecdotes, experiential learning and a perfect blend of scientific evidence mixed with best-friend conversational style, Robyn guides us to examine our current levels of stress and dis-ease and then challenges us to take concrete action - shifting the paradigm toward thriving instead of just surviving. You will want to share it with everyone you love!"
Meagan L. Grega, MD, FACLM, DipABLM, DipABFM
Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer
Kellyn Foundation
Foreword
by Dr. Jonathan Fisher
As a stressed-out, anxious, and depressed cardiologist on the front lines of care, I spent years trying to heal the hearts of others without truly listening to or caring for my own. I found myself caught in a cycle of burnout, disengaged from the very work that once inspired me. Like so many of my colleagues, I was driven into medicine by a deep desire to care for others and make the world a better place. But over time, the countless organizational and systemic factors that dominate our profession began to wear me down, disconnecting me from my purpose and leaving me feeling isolated and overwhelmed.
The crisis of burnout among physicians is real and pervasive. We are often expected to function at the highest levels, juggling the demands of patient care, administrative duties, and personal responsibilities, all while keeping our own struggles hidden. I wish I had Robyn’s book when I
was hiding my own pain and shame from my colleagues, feeling like I had nowhere to turn. This book would have been the lifeline I needed—a guide to not only surviving but thriving in a career that often seems to take more than it gives.
Robyn’s journey, as shared in this book, is nothing short of inspirational. She courageously opens up about her own struggles with chronic stress and burnout, a story that resonates deeply. Her experience is a powerful reminder that even those who seem to have it all together can be silently suffering. The case presentation at the beginning of Chapter 1 paints a vivid picture of a life unraveling due to the cumulative toll of stress—a life that could easily belong to any one of us.
Through her personal transformation, Robyn discovered the life-saving impact of self-care and holistic health practices. She uses lessons learned from her own journey to create a comprehensive, actionable guide designed to help others find their way out of the darkness of stress and burnout. The chapters that follow are structured around the essential pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, offering practical strategies for stress management, nutrition, sleep, physical activity, social connections, and more.
As I read this book, it felt like having my own master coach by my side, available whenever I needed guidance. Robyn's writing is so approachable and clear; it's as if she is sitting right here with me, having a warm conversation. The instructions are practical and easy to follow, making this an all-in-one guide for busy doctors who have given so much to others and paid the price with their health and well-being.
What sets this book apart is the palpable empathy, compassion, and love that Robyn pours into her insights and instructions. The book's holistic approach addresses the most common ways we become chronically stressed, helps us reverse them, and provides specific, tested tools to create the life we've always dreamed of, rather than merely avoiding pain. It’s impossible to read this book and come away unchanged.
I’ve had the privilege to know Robyn and experience her guidance firsthand, through her teachings in yoga, meditation, stress reduction, and coaching. I’ve also had the honor of leading a weekend mountain retreat with her, focused on physician well-being, where I witnessed the profound impact she has on others. Robyn’s ability to connect deeply with people and change lives is truly remarkable.
This book will serve as a resource for me to return to again and again and also to share with my colleagues and patients. Lifestyle medicine can often be overcomplicated, but Robyn has a way of clearly communicating the essence of each pillar, including the why and the how. Most importantly, she helps us understand the science of habit change and how to do the hard work of implementing change in our own lives and helping others.
As you read this book, I encourage you to embrace the tools and techniques Robyn shares. Whether it’s adopting a new dietary habit, incorporating mindfulness practices into your day, or finding ways to connect more deeply with loved ones, each small change can have a significant impact on your health and happiness. The journey to wellness is a personal one, but with Robyn’s guidance, you don’t have to walk it alone.
In closing, I want to express my deep gratitude to Robyn for her courage and dedication in writing this book. Her work is a testament to the power of self-care and the resilience of the human spirit. As you turn the pages, may you find the inspiration, motivation, and tools to create a healthier, more fulfilling life for yourself and those you love.
Warmly,
Dr. Jonathan Fisher
Cardiologist, Mindfulness Teacher, and Organizational Well-being Leader
Co-founder, Ending Clinician Burnout Global Community
Author of Just One Heart: A Cardiologist’s Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness
Charlotte, North Carolina
July 2024