Stress Reduction

Recommended Book of the Month

Easy-to-read, concrete strategies for stress reduction., June 27, 2002

I'm a psychologist working in a college counseling center, and this is one of the top self-help books which I recommend to my clients. It's appropriate for anyone looking to find ways to reduce the amount of anxiety and stress they feel. Strategies address all areas of anxiety, including physical tension, worry, and interpersonal issues. Each chapter details a specific anxiety reduction strategy--eg, diaphragmatic breathing, self-hypnosis, thought stopping--and at the start of the book, there is a self quiz to help determine which chapters would best meet your individual needs. This is one of the best, simpliest books avaiable for reducing anxiety and stress; it's also useful for a wide variety of related problems such as depression and difficulties sleeping. Highly recommended!

The best book on the subject I have seen...clear and concise, February 6, 2000

I must have bought countless books on relaxation and meditation in order to relieve stress. For the most part I found non-objective, very subjective eastern treatises pushing a philosophy or dogma. These books were not very well structured in explaining how to use the techniques. This book, approaches relaxation methods in a scientific manner. Each chapter is about one method, telling what type of attitude works best in its use, the variations of the method (based on effect) and the time that is necessary to see the effects. The methods are explained in a "cookbook" manner. The steps of the methods are clear and explained well. These methods are treated as templates for anybody to use, without implying inferences as to what philosophy of life is correct. I don't think I have ever recommended a book before (heuristic: 90% of all books say the same thing), but since this one follows such a well defined format, I will. Enjoy.

Bestselling Stress Books

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
(try one or more of the links below)

Based on impressive new discoveries involving the body's subtle energies, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) has been clinically effective in thousands of cases for Trauma & Abuse, Stress & Anxiety, Fears & Phobias, Depression, Addictive Cravings, Children's Issues and hundreds of physical symptoms including headaches, body pains and breathing difficulties. Properly applied, over 80% achieve either noticeable improvement or complete cessation of the problem.

...Often works where nothing else will.
...Usually rapid, long lasting and gentle.
...No drugs or equipment involved.
...Easily learned by anyone.
...Can be self applied.

"Yogis have known since ancient times that Yoga Nidra soothes the nerves and calms the mind; for centuries they have used it for health and meditation purposes. Today doctors acknowledge the link between nervous disorders, stress, and physical disease and often prescribe relaxation for their patients. Its effectiveness is backed up by scientific research showing that deep relaxation oxygenates the body's cells fully and efficiently, which helps combat infection, cancer, high blood pressure, and many other diseases," says Wai Lana, the world's most-watched yoga teacher and host of the internationally aired TV series Wai Lana Yoga.

"The stress we experience takes its toll on our bodies. Although it is experienced first in the mind, it often manifests in the body," commented Wai Lana. "In milder cases, it turns up as a stiff neck or tight shoulders, which may lead to headaches and back pain. Stress often causes insomnia, which leads to further stress and fatigue. When we are under this type of stress, our immune system becomes depressed and we become more susceptible to viruses and disease. Stress can also cause digestive disorders. When stress is present over a long period, it can lead to more serious conditions, such as high blood pressure. It's a risk factor for heart disease and can lead to depression and alcohol and drug abuse. Research shows that simple stress-reducing techniques, if performed daily, can prevent the longer-term debilitating effects of unmanaged stress."

Information provided by www.wailana.com. Wai Lana is the foremost authority on yoga, hosting the world's most-watched show, Wai Lana Yoga, which airs on five continents, including nationally in the U.S. on PBS, cable and satellite.