Dr. David Posen

Best-selling author, speaker and physician, Dr. David Posen, is one of North America's leading experts on stress mastery, work-life balance, health and wellness.
 
Dr. Posen is the author of three best-selling books, Always Change a Losing Game, Staying Afloat When Water Gets Rough, and most recently, The Little Book of Stress Relief, now in its tenth printing. His magazine articles have appeared in Canadian Living and Readers Digest as well as several medical journals.  He wrote a weekly column on stress and lifestyle management for a year on the popular website www.canoe.ca. Dr. Posen has appeared many times on TV and radio across Canada and has been quoted in many leading U.S. magazines such as Redbook, Cosmopolitan, People, McCall’s, Men’s Health and USA Weekend.

A graduate of the University of Toronto Medical School in 1967, Dr. Posen was involved in a research project in San Francisco before interning in Edmonton, Alberta. After a year of general practice in the Canadian Arctic, he spent a year practicing in Jerusalem. In 1971, he started a family practice in Oakville, Ontario. In 1985, Dr. Posen gave up his general practice to devote his time exclusively to stress management, lifestyle counseling and psychotherapy.  
 
He has spoken widely to education, government, business and professional groups across North America.  His recent clients include Warner Brothers, Chevron, Verizon, American Express, University of Toronto, Pfizer, Research in Motion (RIM), Kraft, Hilton Hotels, Dun & Bradstreet (D & B), Microsoft, Cisco Systems, University of Florida Athletic Association, Canadian Home Builders Association – Alberta, McKinsey, Ernst & Young, RCMP, US Steel, Allstate, KPMG, Hydro One, The Million Dollar Round Table, City of Hamilton, Ontario Crown Attorneys Association, University of California, CIBC, IBM, London Life, Ontario Government Centre for Leadership, Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Mohawk College, Shoppers Drug Mart and Rogers Communications.
 
Dr. Posen’s dynamic presentations have empowered thousands of people to take control of their lives...and come out on top. His unique personal style - combining humour and practical analogies - helps unlock the mysteries of stress and wellness. There's no quick fix for mastering stress and change. But creative and effective strategies exist which can be learned by everyone. Dr. David Posen teaches people how.

• Q. Running on Empty. Manage Your Energy-Manage Your Stress

  Bank accounts work on a simple premise: you have to put money in before you can take money out. Our bodies are exactly the same. How can you draw on energy to combat stress, if there's nothing in the bank?
  
  This could be the most revealing time you'll spend in years. Doc Calm explains how acute stress generates quick energy, yet chronic stress drains it. Using the players in the NHL as his examples, he demonstrates the link between increasing energy and reducing stress; and he does it all with rock-solid logic and a good dose of humour.
  
  You'll learn:
  
  ·What a healthy stress cycle looks like and how to use it to pace yourself. ·Why sleep is so crucial and how to get what you need. ·How sugar and caffeine can actually drain you of energy. ·Why exercise is an "energy factory." ·How to create a "flow state" for better psychic energy.
  

• P. Always Change a Losing Game

  Much of our overload is self-generated. We try to do too much, get too little sleep, use caffeine as fuel and overtax our schedules. These are all "losing games" and as we all know from the realm of sports, you should "Always Change a Losing Game."
  
  Join Doc Calm for an entertaining, yet enlightening session that will change the way you live. By taking a cue from the sports world, Dr Posen leads participants through a step-by-step process that will reveal new ways to improve work-life balance.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·What your work-life balance looks like now - and how you'd like it to be. ·Five personality traits that lead to overload. ·How belief systems keep us on the overload treadmill. ·How to create a mind-set that leads to better balance. ·How to increase productivity and still have time for leisure.
  

• O. The Lifestyle Balancing Act

  With all the demands made on us by work, family and friends, finding a comfortable work-life balance can seem like a utopian dream. Take heart. Throughout this fully enjoyable and lively session Doc Calm has a trunk full of strategies to achieve it.
  
  David Posen helps us to envision what a pleasing balance would look like and teaches us that our jobs are not our lives. It's all about balance – balancing time, energy and balancing the way we see ourselves.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·To take a snapshot of where you are now with regard to work-life balance. ·The seven things that "tip us over" on the work-life balance scale. ·To identify ways to work smarter and fresher to reduce overtime hours. ·Seven ways to make time for leisure when there isn't any. ·To discover "the other you".
  

• N. GRACE UNDER PRESSURE: Managing Yourself During Tough Times

  We're going through a watershed moment in recent history – a time of economic upheaval that is generating enormous stress and uncertainty. Combining elements of stress and change mastery, Dr Posen has put together a program to address the fears, worries and feelings of instability that are plaguing so many people, especially in the workplace. Carefully blending empathy with real-life solutions and humor, Doc Calm offers tools, techniques and credible reassurance to get through the difficult times in which we're living.
  ,/br> Learn:
  
  ·How to detect and monitor your stress levels ·To believe in your ability to handle stress during tough times ·A repertoire of Resilience tips and strategies ·Four ways to deal with "Long Distance Worrying" ·The elements of self care and how to keep your balance
  

• M. Does Anyone Know What's Going On Here?

  Change and uncertainty – two bugaboos that can drive many of us to distraction. For some, change seems to happen without rhyme or reason and no matter how they try they can't find it within themselves to adjust. For others, it's uncertainty: rumours swirl, fears increase and people find themselves involved in "long-distance worrying".
  
  Enter Doc Calm. With a hearty mix of practical advice and light humour, he helps participants navigate the confusion of uncertainty and the stress of change to discover a place called understanding.
  
  You'll Learn:
  
  ·How to talk to yourself when change seems to be arbitrary and unclear. ·To understand what "long-distance worrying" is and why it's stressful. ·To discover the difference between worry and concern. ·Four ways to effectively deal with worry and live with uncertainty.
  

• L. Staying Afloat When the Water Gets Rough

  We're living in a time of unprecedented change. The abilities to be resilient and adaptable aren't just good traits – they're survival skills! But how do we meet the challenge and exemplify survival of the fittest?
  
  Packed with action strategies, Dr. Posen's presentation addresses the three questions that open the door to mastering change: What will increase your comfort with change? What would make change easier for you? What tools will you need to be resilient?
  
  Learn: ·The six ways to change your attitude about change. ·To understand what adaptation energy is and how to generate it. ·The 12 ingredients of Resilience and Change Mastery. ·To understand the importance of balance and stability in times of change.
  

• K. Humour in the Workplace: A Little Fun = Big Productivity

  Most people don't think of work as a place to have some laughs, but if you and your company can create a little levity at work, you'll be rewarded with less stress, more energy and increased productivity. Humour and play in the workplace aren't just "nice to have" extras – they are major, value-added parts of a successful work environment.
  
  This could be the most lively and enjoyable keynote you've ever attended. Using an extensive set of interactive examples, Doc Calm engages his audience and shows us that humor is much more than telling jokes. You will experience the energizing benefits of playfulness as you laugh and learn at the same time.
  
  Discover:
  
  ·The four principles of integrating humour into the workplace ·Seven benefits of humour and play at work. ·The relationship between humour and creativity ·How playfulness can help bring people closer together.
  

• J. The Stress of Success – Deal With It

  There's an old piece of wisdom that says, "Be careful what you wish for". For many people who have struggled to get ahead and find success, those words speak volumes. They've discovered that stress doesn't diminish with success – it simply changes. In fact, they just trade one set of problems for another.
  
  Entrepreneurs, CEO's, new managers and every executive in between will know that Dr Posen speaks their language when they hear him talk. Join David for a thoughtful presentation that looks at how to manage your stress and your life once you reach the level of success you've been striving for.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·How to deal with overload and complexity as success spins off new problems. ·How to protect your work time for the things that matter most. ·How to maintain your energy and enthusiasm. ·How to reap the rewards of your success: time, adventure, and giving back.
  

• I. Managing Stress in a Stressful Environment

  Today's workplace isn't just dynamic, it's demanding. Relentless deadlines, chaotic pace and high workloads are simply the norm. All together, they create a setting that's stressful, difficult to manage and the perfect environment for burn-out.
  
  No executive should miss this session with Doc Calm. He combines his knowledge and expertise as one of North America's leading authorities on stress with the gentle humour that's his alone to unearth, explore and reveal solutions that mean a healthier business existence for everyone.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·How to work smart so you don't have to work as hard. ·How to master the Email Avalanche. ·To understand how "Working Fresh" leverages your time. ·Why attitude is everything and how to talk to yourself. ·How to neutralize difficult people.
  

• H. Taking Care of the Caregiver

  People in the "helping professions" – nurses, doctors, the clergy, etc., - have always known that care-giving is draining, both physically and emotionally. But the same applies to people caring for elderly or ailing relatives or those with special needs. How can caregivers continue to give support if they're not paying attention to their own needs?
  
  Designed to benefit both professionals and non-professionals alike, Dr Posen's presentation helps caregivers understand the importance of reducing stress, caring for personal needs and putting a little breathing room back into life.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·How to monitor your physical and emotional energy. ·How to pace yourself and know your limits. ·Why time-outs are so important and how to find diversion. ·How to avoid and deal with compassion fatigue.
  

• G. Sleep and Productivity: It's Time to Wake Up!

  We're a sleep-deprived society – and it's costing us! We're tired, cranky, less productive and more prone to accidents. How much sleep do we need? How do we know if we're getting enough? This session is for everyone who wants to find the answers. Combining science, humour and helpful tips, Doc Calm tackles this vital but often neglected subject.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·The five ways to identify if you're getting enough sleep. ·How sleep deprivation affects your body and mental function. ·To understand the five sleep stages and the importance of REM sleep. ·Why teenagers are walking zombies in the morning. ·The three ways to get more sleep and to pay off sleep debt.
  

• F. Burnout: Rescue Yourself from the Brink

  Burn-out never happens quickly. It quietly evolves year after year, leaving a trail of signs and signals that are ignored or overlooked. The result is a person with ongoing exhaustion, greatly diminished interest and feelings of frustration and futility – someone who's on the brink.
  
  This presentation is for executives, professionals, those who struggle through a work life that's high stress and those who are in frequent intense interactions with others. Each setting forms the perfect breeding ground for burn-out.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·To understand what burn-out is and who is most vulnerable. ·About the stages of burn-out, detection and self-monitoring. ·Why the best treatment is prevention. ·A multitude of treatment options that don't include medication.
  

• E. The Beliefs That Run Our Lives

  "People should be on time". "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself". "You should make your bed every day." Who says?
  
  Whether you see them as philosophies or cultural attitudes, beliefs influence our lives in more ways than we can imagine. Join Doc Calm for a lively session that takes direct aim at the rules, regulations and attitudes that run our lives. With real-life examples and an abundance of humorous anecdotes, this keynote is all about the power of beliefs and what to do about them.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·Exactly what beliefs are and how to identify them. ·Why beliefs are so powerful and how they run our lives. ·Doc Calm's counter-intuitive challenges to many common beliefs. ·How to question, challenge and modify your own beliefs.
  

• D. Get a Grip. You Have More Control Than You Think

  There are lots of things we don't control: the weather, the economy, government policy and other people's behavior. But there are others we do command: the way we behave, how we think and the lifestyle choices we make. The lesson? Take more control in those areas and good things will start to happen.
  
  Join Dr David Posen for a thoroughly enjoyable yet informative session focused on enhancing your energy, building resilience and taking control of your life.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·How to deal with overload. ·How to change the way you feel by changing the way you think. ·A simple visual tool for monitoring stress and pacing yourself. ·Four simple lifestyle modifiers that will change your life. ·How you can choose what stresses you.
  

• C. Be Good to Yourself AND the Bottom Line

  In today's dynamic work world, a staggering number of people choose to take care of business instead of taking care of themselves. Not only is it a bad personal decision, but in the end it's just as destructive for the business.
  
  The reality is that good health and self-care can not only co-exist with business success, but actually promote it. With a little persuasion and a touch of humour, Doc Calm will show you how to be good to yourself and improve the bottom line.
  
  Learn To:
  
  ·Discover five simple self-care strategies that leverage productivity. ·Understand the relationship between stress and performance. ·Discover a tool to monitor your stress and pace yourself. ·Marvel at some paradoxical truths, including when Less is More.
  

• B. Always Change a Losing Game

  Much of our overload is self-generated. We try to do too much, get too little sleep, use caffeine as fuel and overtax our schedules. These are all "losing games" and as we all know from the realm of sports, you should "Always Change a Losing Game."
  
  Join Doc Calm for an entertaining, yet enlightening session that will change the way you live. By taking a cue from the sports world, Dr Posen leads participants through a step-by-step process that will reveal new ways to improve work-life balance.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·What your work-life balance looks like now - and how you'd like it to be. ·Five personality traits that lead to overload. ·How belief systems keep us on the overload treadmill. ·How to create a mind-set that leads to better balance. ·How to increase productivity and still have time for leisure.
  

• A. STRESS MASTERY: You Have More Control Than You Think

  Stress is a fact of life – but it doesn't have to be a way of life. Many people use the word without actually understanding what is meant by it. In this clarifying and reassuring presentation, Dr. Posen demystifies the subject by explaining the fundamentals of stress theory without the jargon and then, most importantly, what to do about it. Filled with insights and "aha" moments, Doc Calm will make stress less intimidating and give you tips and techniques to master it.
  
  Learn:
  
  ·What stress is, how to recognize it and where it comes from ·The simple PPP formula for taming stress in your life ·Time management tips to help you control your day ·How the way you think affects the way you feel ·How simple lifestyle changes can profoundly improve your energy and your mood
  

• The content of the presentation was right on the mark; a perfect blend of anecdote, medical science, humor and advice that resonated beautifully with our audience. You did a terrific job of incorporating the elements we request that we felt would help 'globalize' the content for them given an audience composition made up of literally 20 different nationalities.

  Warner Brothers Consumer Products

• I wanted to write and thank you on behalf of this entire department for the outstanding job you did presenting to our staff at last week's retreat. In fact, 'outstanding' may be an understatement! Your style, message and your rapport with our group could not have been better. I assure you that what you did helped this organization get better.

  Department of Athletics, University of Florida

• Post the session, the team provided very positive feedback not only on the content and the tips you shared, but also the refreshing fun manner in which it was delivered – accompanied with scientific facts. The time you invested in delivering a tailored message really paid dividends.

  American Express

• David is truly professional, taking the time to research our company and the issues important to us at the time, and ensuring the relevance of his presentation.

  PriceWaterhouseCoopers

• Thank you for what was an absolutely fantastic presentation. Your comments were practical, timely and relevant to the issues we face in our office and in our profession. We all appreciated the humour. Your mastery of the subject matter was evident and reassuring.

  Deloitte & Touche

• You did an extraordinary job addressing our TAP audience and conveying the topic to our group. By the way, the feedback has been fantastic. Suffice to say, the event was a total success and I wanted to let you know that it was primary due to you and your presentation.

  Allstate

• 
  January 2010

  Always Change a Losing Game

  Whether you’re dealing with compulsive eating, an addiction to caffeine, an unhappy relationship or a dead-end job, Dr. Posen provides practical guidelines that will help change your losing habits. He shows you how to make positive personal changes while offering effective advice on improving self-esteem, personal relationships, work performance, and mental and physical health.

  
  
• 
  August 2003

  The Little Book of Stress Relief

  In 52 short sessions, one for each week of the year, Dr. Posen isolates specific causes of stress and provides detailed "prescriptions" for overcoming them, as well as easy-to-follow activities and exercises that will help with everything from getting enough sleep to overcoming procrastination to perfecting the art of prioritizing. You’ll also learn how to avoid letting other people’s stress rub off on you. The Little Book of Stress Relief guides us through making small changes every day, changes that once implemented can have a profound positive effect on the quality of our lives.

  
  
• 
  September 1998

  Staying Afloat When the Water Gets Rough

  We live in a time of unprecedented change. The workplace has been transformed by mergers, downsizing and globalization. Economics, politics, education and even family life are undergoing upheaval. The result is stress, worry and uncertainty for most of us. Wheres it all going to lead? How do we look after ourselves while all this turmoil swirls around us? Dr. David Posen provides sensible and sensitive answers to the following questions:What will increase our comfort with change? What will make life transitions easier for us? What tools will we need to handle it?With compassion, understanding and humor, Dr. Posen explains the ingredients of change-hardiness, illustrating his message with stories from his own experience as well as from that of his patients and friends. Part psychology, part philosophy and part action plan, Staying Afloat When the Water Gets Rough will make you think, it will make you laugh and it will definitely increase your comfort with change.