Stress Free for Good
abracad, · Categories: books, reviews, self help, stress, depression, anxiety
10 Scientifically Proven Life Skills for Health and Happiness by Dr. Fred Luskin and Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier
Despite living in the age of technological marvels stress and related mental problems have reached epidemic proportions in the Western world. The effects of stress upon the body are real as demonstrated by well-documented "white coat hypertension" in which patient's blood pressure is significantly higher when measured by their doctor compared with readings measured at home. It's now widely held that much physical illness either has mental problems at its origin, or is worsened by the patient's state of mind.
Paradoxically, instead of saving time, technology is actually placing people under pressure to achieve more within the the finite limits of each day. And there's the rub. Many stress management techniques have been developed over the years, but often they require significant commitment from the already pressed subject. And often they don't get applied at all.
Stress Free for Good begins by explaining the physiology of stress, the so-called "fight or flight" response that aided our survival when we lived much closer to nature. The problem is that modern day causes of stress cannot physically be fought or run from. Neither are they momentary, but are usually prolonged - a disliked job, debts, family issues...
In Stress Free for Good Luskin and Pelletier present 10 skills that can all be learned, applied and exhibit results in minutes, or even seconds. In effect, they just encourage the body to stand down from its "fight or flight" state. The tips are varied, but among them everyone is likely to find 2 or 3 that work for them.
The first and easiest skill is to breathe from the belly. Just break the habit of rapid shallow breathing and take a few slow, deep breaths - feeling your belly expand on inhalation. Simple, but the benefits of right breathing have been expounded by religious teachers for millennia. Whatever our situation, this is one we can all practice, and its benefits are instantly felt.
The other skills, as listed in the table of contents, are:
* So Much to Appreciate
* Tense to Relax
* Visualize Success
* Slow Down
* Appreciate Yourself
* Smile Because You Care
* Stop Doing What Doesn't Work
* Just Say No
* Accept What You Cannot Change
As a long-term sufferer, I can vouch for the effectiveness of the techniques outlined in Stress Free for Good. But as Lusking and Pelletier say in conclusion for success you have to actually take the time to apply them. These tips are so simple there is no excuse for failing to make the effort.
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Filed in: books, reviews, self help, stress, depression, anxiety
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