Review of "The Stress Less Workbook"
By Jonathan S. AbramowitzGuilford Press, 2012
Review by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D on May 14th 2013
If I were going to recommend a self-help book for managing stress to a friend or client, this would be the one. The author, Jonathan Abramowitz, is a Research Professor and Director of the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Clinic at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He is a prolific author of peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and several other resources for the lay public. Here, he brings his considerable expertise to bear in helping readers understand, control, and cope with stress in its many manifestations.
Part I of the workbook provides an introduction into the origins of stress, how stress is affected by physical and cognitive influences, and the basics of stress phenomenology. Readers are encouraged to complete a Perceived Stress Scale in order to get them ready for more detailed discussion about signs and symptoms. Another chapter in Part I asks the question, "What is Stress Doing to You?" relative to medical conditions (pain, cardiovascular problems, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders), emotions, and patterns of behavior that suggest depression and mood instability. Through several case illustrations and recording forms Abramowitz then offers guidance about identifying sources of stress in one's daily life and considering stress reduction and management strategies.
In Part II of the workbook the focus is on evidence-based methods for dealing with stress from a preventive perspective. There are several informative chapters that teach the reader a common orientation to problem solving: (1) recognize your difficulties, (2) clarify what is to be solved, (3) list potential solutions ("brainstorming"), (4) isolate strategies for change, and (5) implement an action plan. Each of these steps is reviewed comprehensively using schema that simplifies the process and makes it more palatable at first glance. Also, there is some very good advice for communicating effectively through basic assertiveness training, managing time more efficiently, overcoming procrastination, altering "stressful thinking patterns," and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise, proper diet, and relaxation. Most of the methods Abramowitz suggests are culled from behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral treatment but also more recent developments in mindfulness-based and acceptance and commitment therapies.
The workbook concludes with Part III, a series of chapters on managing stress at work, within relationships, during unanticipated crises, and "when all else fails." This information follows and refines the content from earlier chapters, namely to identify the sources of stress, adopt a problem solving approach, test methods through simple "behavior experiments," and document results empirically. Again, the workbook provides a seemingly unlimited number of forms and documents for achieving these objectives.
In addition to covering stress and anxiety A-Z, Abramowitz writes clearly, with humor, and in an engaging style that should appeal to most readers. The workbook is ideal for people wanting to learn more about the stress in their lives and how to deal with it but additionally, as a supplement to working with a mental health professional. Indeed, Abramowitz writes that "one of my motives for writing this book was to have a good resource for my own patients and clients to use as they progress through treatment." Some of the information is repeated in the chapters but this redundancy actually serves as a strong teaching tactic for driving home salient points. Unlike many self-help tomes on the market, there is nothing in this workbook that deviates from research supported practices or slips into unchartered territory. Accordingly, this is a valuable resource for individuals concerned about personal stress and what they should do to successfully change their lives.
© 2013 James K. Luiselli
James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D is a psychologist affiliated with May Institute and a private-practice clinician. Among his publications are 9 books and more than 300 book chapters and journal articles. He reviews books for The New England Psychologist.
Resources
-
Articles
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The Nature of Stress
-
News
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Links
-
Videos
- How Do You Manage Stress?
- How to Stay Calm When You Know You'll Be Stressed
- 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
- 7 Steps to Reducing Stress
-
25 more
- 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
- 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
-
More Information
Topics
-
Addictions
-
Aging & Elder Care
-
Assessments & Interventions
-
Career & Workplace
-
Emotional Well-Being
-
Life Issues
-
Parenting & Child Care
-
Abuse
-
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
-
Adoption
-
Autism
-
Child & Adolescent Development: Overview
-
Child & Adolescent Development: Puberty
-
Child Development & Parenting: Early (3-7)
-
Child Development & Parenting: Infants (0-2)
-
Child Development & Parenting: Middle (8-11)
-
Child Development & Parenting:Adolescence (12-24)
-
Child Development Theory: Adolescence (12-24)
-
Child Development Theory: Middle Childhood (8-11)
-
Childhood Mental Disorders and Illnesses
-
Childhood Special Education
-
Divorce
-
Family & Relationship Issues
-
Intellectual Disabilities
-
Learning Disorders
-
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
-
Parenting
-
Self Esteem
-
-
Psychological Disorders
-
Anxiety Disorders
-
Bipolar Disorder
-
Conversion Disorders
-
Depression: Depression & Related Conditions
-
Dissociative Disorders
-
Domestic Violence and Rape
-
Eating Disorders
-
Impulse Control Disorders
-
Intellectual Disabilities
-
Mental Disorders
-
Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
-
Personality Disorders
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
-
Schizophrenia
-
Sexual Disorders
-
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
-
Suicide
-
Tourettes and other Tic Disorders
-