Book Review: The Stress Management Handbook

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Stress Management. Stress Management is the skills, methods, and techniques involving in managing and reducing stress either a day-to-day basis or on a long term scale. Barbara Schiffman is the Official Guide to Stress Management.nnThe Stress Management Handbook, by Leyden-Rubenstein, and Stephen T. Sinatra, is a valuable resource for people interested in Stress Management, and it is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.nnBook DescriptionnNo other book offers the scientific scope, compelling success stories and comprehensive mind-body-spirit strategies for stress management - all in simple language and an easy to read format. The contents includes: the author's personal story of physical, emotional and spiritual healing; scientific evidence supporting the mind-body-spirit connection; why psychiatric drugs are not a panacea for stress-related symptoms; a sound philosophy of harnessing personal power through self-knowledge, self-love, spirituality, and commitment to change; over 50 practical strategies covering healing breath work, meditation, and other physical relaxation techniques; overcoming stressful thoughts, beliefs and emotions; getting needs met; self-reflection; communication skills; seeing options; self-acceptance, self-compassion and self-love; listening to your inner voice; the power of gratitude and wonder; living in the present moment; finding inner peace; and more; compelling and poignant success stories; a powerful approach to overcoming anxiety/panic attacks without medication. The Stress Management Handbook represents the new standard in stress management for individuals and health care and mental health care professionals. nnAbout the AuthornMcGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide nnExcerpted from The Stress Management Handbook: Strategies for Health and Inner Peace by Lori A. Leyden-Rubenstein, Stephen T. Sinatra. Copyright © 1998. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.nWho Should Read This Book: Anyone who wants to experience better health and more inner peace.Individuals experiencing emotional challenges related to job, money, relationships, life changes, addictions, physical/emotional/ sexual trauma, low self-esteem, guilt, anxiety, depression.Individuals experiencing physical challenges related to asthma, anxiety/panic attacks, back pain, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, infertility, insomnia, skin problems, TMJ, heart disease, cancer, AIDs.Health Care and Mental Health Care Professionals who value sound new approaches, concrete treatment strategies and significant reference material related to the mind-body-spirit connection. nWhy is it so important to manage stress? Because it's killing us. Consider that between 80-90% of all illnesses are stress-related and over 100 million Americans suffer from stress-related illnesses. More importantly, stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung disease, accidents, cirrhosis of liver, and suicide. nnWhy read another self-help book? If you're at the point where you can honestly say you're not doing anything to cope with your stress in a healthy way, or if your current strategies just aren't working well enough for you to see positive results, this book may provide you with the information and incentive you need to manage your stress and find a sense of inner peace.IIf you're on psychiatric medication for stress and/or anxiety, if it's been suggested to you as a treatment strategy and you are reluctant to take drugs, if you are unaware of the dangers and side effects of these medications, then you owe it to yourself to ask questions and explore other options. Ask your physician, psychiatrist or counselor what he or she knows about the mind-body connection as it relates to stress. Ask him or her what they know or can teach you about non-drug, mind-body strategies to alleviate stress. If you aren't satisfied with the response, read this book. I've read a lot of self-help and psychology books over the years. I've spent over 20 years studying psychotherapy. I've participated in many kinds of psychotherapy and personal and spiritual growth workshops. But it wasn't until I committed myself to putting that knowledge into action and practicing the techniques I learned and developed, that I actually saw positive changes take affect. My hope is that by reading this book you will feel motivated and empowered to make positive changes in your life and learn to participate in your own physical and emotional healing starting now. More important, I hope that this book can be your personal road map to finding the sense of inner peace that I am so grateful to have in my life. n