Review of "De-Stress Your Life in 7 Easy Steps"
By Glenn HarroldOrion, 2008
Review by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA on Aug 26th 2008
"The aim of this book is to help you banish stress from your life and cope with the pressures of modern day living." So begins the first chapter of this self-help resource by hypnotherapist, Glenn Harrold. This is a lofty objective, which the author addresses with passion and conviction. The book includes a CD that features Harrold conducting a hypnotherapy session intended to induce mental and physical relaxation when listened to daily.
Each of the seven steps in the book deals with relationship, work, financial, and related life challenges. There is a similar structure to the chapters, first an explanation of what causes the particular stress, then examples of how we usually approach stress-reduction unsuccessfully, followed by several "de-stress" techniques. Harrold relies heavily on a few common recommendations, most notably regulated breathing, cognitive affirmation, meditation, relaxation, and a kind of "self-hypnosis." He gives the reader simple step-by-step guides for implementing these and other remedies.
Harrold advocates writing things down and to that end, he includes charts that help the reader record stress-provoking situations, coping successes, and personal life goals. I liked his emphasis on getting to the heart of interpersonal problems by documenting them and then committing to self-change.
The book does not shy away from "new age" thinking, as Harrold urges the reader to consider aromatherapy, crystals, and the purported benefits of Feng Shui, "the specific placement of objects to create a positive energy or a healthy flow off chi." These suggestions convey a "whatever works" perspective that may appeal to some readers but not those critical of "fad" solutions.
I enjoyed De-Stress Your Life in 7 Easy Steps because it is optimistic, easy to read, and benign enough that it won't harm anyone by giving foolish advice. The test for any self-help book is whether people actively learn from it and improve their lives accordingly. With an abundance of these books on the market, there certainly is a large and welcoming readership. This book is one of the better ones among the many choices.
© 2008 James K. Luiselli
James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA is a psychologist affiliated with May Institute and a private practice clinician. Among his publications are 6 books and more than 200 journal articles. He reviews books for The New England Psychologist.
Resources
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Articles
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The Nature of Stress
- Introduction and the Nature of Stress
- The Biology of Stress
- The Fours Stages of A Stress Reaction
- Other Important Biological Systems That Help Regulate Stress Reactions
- Factors Influencing the Stress Response
- Types of Stressors (Eustress vs. Distress)
- Factors Determining Whether Stressors are Experienced as Negative or Positive
- Self-Efficacy and the Perception of Control in Stress Reduction
- The Long-Term Consequences of Negative Stress
- Mental and Emotional Impact of Stress
- Social Impact of Stress
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Methods of Stress Reduction
- Methods of Stress Reduction
- Meditation for Stress Reduction
- Kinetic (Movement) Strategies for Stress Relief
- Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi for Stress Reduction
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Stress Reduction
- Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Massage, Reiki and Acupuncture Stress Reduction Techniques
- Medication Strategies for Stress Relief
- Psychological Strategies for Reducing Stress
- Cognitive Therapy Techniques for Stress Reduction
- Cognitive Distortions Affecting Stress
- Dysfunctional Beliefs Affecting Stress
- Cognitive Restructuring
- Distraction and Humor in Stress Reduction
- Visualization and Guided Imagery Techniques for Stress Reduction
- Hypnosis and Autogenic Training for Stress Reduction
- Environmental, Social and Spiritual Strategies for Stress Relief
- The Vitality of Natural Environments for Stress Reduction
- Food and Pets as Stress Relief Tools
- Socialization and Altruistic Acts as Stress Relief
- Religious/Spiritual Practice for Stress Reduction
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Stress Prevention
- Stress Prevention
- Stress Prevention: A Values Clarification Exercise
- Time Management to Prevent Stress
- Assertiveness and Interpersonal Boundaries in Stress Reduction
- Stress Inoculation Therapy
- Developing a Personalized Stress Prevention Plan
- Developing a Stress Prevention Plan Part 2
- Selecting Methods and Making a Commitment in Stress Prevention
- Tracking Your Progress and Maintaining Your Gains in Stress Prevention
- Additional Stress Reduction and Prevention Resources
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The Nature of Stress
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News
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Questions and Answers
- Husband Jealous of my Friends and Family
- What's Wrong With Me?
- ADD Maybe?
- Stress and Loss of Feeling or Emotional Deadness
- My BoyfriendLlied to Me About His Ex.
- Please, A Response!!!!!
- Can't Stand Noise
- Is Psychosis Curable?
- Anxiety
- Paranoid Thoughts
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22 more
- Do I Need Help?
- What Is Wrong with Me?
- Should I Seek Help?
- Premonitions
- I Love Her, but I Want That Spark Back
- PTSD
- Elderly Parents
- Am I Crazy?
- Concerned
- Disconnected
- I'm overemotional! What's wrong with me?
- Need a Solution (Hair Pulling) - Cat
- My Health
- what to do about built up tension inside
- Do I feel stress?
- Is Something Wrong With Her?
- Dealing With General Discontent
- Part Time Work and Stress
- Arranged Marriage
- Seizures Interfering With Love
- Countering Type A With Assertiveness
- Sick Husband
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Book & Media Reviews
- Anxiety, Phobias, and Panic
- Change Your Thinking
- De-Stress Your Life in 7 Easy Steps
- Element: Yoga for Stress Relief & Flexibility
- Emotions, Stress, and Health
- Everyday Yoga for Stress Release
- Job Stress and the Librarian
- Knowing the Nature of Fear
- Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress DVD
- Learn to Relax
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13 more
- Meditation for Optimum Health
- Meditation in a New York Minute
- Stress
- Stress Relief to Go
- Stress Survival Guide
- The Joy of Meditating
- The Spa Deck
- The Stress Less Workbook
- The Stress Owner's Manual
- The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens
- The SuperStress Solution
- Thriving Under Stress
- Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief
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Links
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Videos
- How Do You Manage Stress?
- How to Stay Calm When You Know You'll Be Stressed
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- Managing Stress
- Beating the Holiday Blues
- How to Stay Happy and Healthy through the Holidays?
- Are You Stressed?
- Tips To Reduce Holiday Stress And Find Your Bliss
- Understanding Your Stress
- Stress Video
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27 more
- 7 Steps to Reducing Stress
- Is Stress Making You Sick?
- 5 Ways to Decrease Stress During the Holidays
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- What is Mindfulness?
- The Good and Bad Stress
- The Link Between Stress and Depression
- Terror Related Stress
- Emotional Stress Can Cause Illness
- Post Holiday Blues
- Stress in America - Conquering Your Stress
- Dealing with Stress
- How Your Brain Can Turn Anxiety into Calmness
- How to make stress your friend
- The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen
- 90:10 The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do For Your Stress
- Coping With Stress: Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Reduction
- Tips on how to manage everyday stress
- Stress Relief Tools To Help You Be Happy When Stressed
- Stress Will Kill You
- 5 Problem-Solving Skills to Manage Workplace Stress
- Outsmarting Stress and Enhancing Resilience
- Get Moving: Simple Ways to Improve Physical and Mental Health
- Stress & the Heart – What You Need to Know
- Can Work Stress Hurt Your Heart?
- Good Stress Vs. Bad Stress
- 5 Tips for Coping with Natural Disaster Stress
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More Information
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