The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)

Lots of varied content.

This is pure serendipity. As I sit down to write this review (March 19, 2019) of the sixth edition of The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook, and pull the book up on Amazon just to check whether it's the most current, I learn that the seventh will be released on April 1, 2019. So mine is "good enough." I'm reviewing the Workbook because I hope my clients who suffer from anxiety might take a look. I know it's been worthwhile for me personally for relieving day-to-day tensions. I'll be telling friends and family about it.This hefty manuscript by Martha Davis, PhD, Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman, MSW and Matthew McKay, PhD is a comprehensive how-to guide to the most thoroughly researched, proven relaxation and stress reduction techniques developed from cultures and medical specialties around the world. It covers, among other methods, deep breathing, visualization, meditation, assertiveness training and exercise. It is powerful, but not a quick, simple or peaceful read. The exercises can be emotionally painful and/or physically uncomfortable at first. Learning these competencies is challenging: they require practice to build new habits. You could choose to learn them alone, or I believe this is a fantastic book for friends or family to share on an "accountability partner" basis. It could even be a foundation for efforts in coordination with a health coach.Lauren Williams, Certified Professional Organizer, Owner, Casual Uncluttering LLC, Woodinville, WA, USA

The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Woorbook - (New Harbinger Self-Help Woorkbook) My counsler suggested this workbook to me as I am going through tremendous stress right now and suffering from insomnia. I usually only get about 4 hours per night, and it had been that way for over 2 months. In the beginning of the workbook, they have a test that gives you a score to determine just how much stress that has been in your life over the past year. The highest number rating was 300. I scored over 1,000 !! The book begins very easy, teaching you to breathe and focus. I did this when I woke up at 2am in the morning when the house was quiet, and learned how to control my breathing. The book continues on to teach you how to meditate which is something I had never thought of. It works !! But, you have to be consistant and do the exercizes every day. I am not finished with the book yet, but I have already told my friends and family about it and should purchase it if they are going through a stressful period of time. I am glad my counsler told me about this workbook as now I can sleep all night using the breathing exercize's before I go to sleep. 5 Stars on this one

I ordered new, so when it came wrapped I was happy, but when I opened it and started thumbing through the pages I saw it had been very much used and a lot of the assessments were filled in with pen.I was a little annoyed, but it going through it with whiteout gave me a chance to scan the book a little more and I’m pleased with the contents!

Great book with plenty of exercises. Theoretical orientations include CBT, MBSR, ACT, and more!

We all look at self-help books for separate reasons. I personally suffered (or at least self-diagnosed myself) from general anxiety, depression and insomnia. If you personally have these three conditions, I found this book very helpful in coping with them (details will be explained in a bit.)It's very important to note I said "cope". From experience and as the book will tell you, in order to fully get the most out of this book you will have to practice these exercises daily.The book begins with a short questionaire to help you pinpoint what this book may help you with. After this self-diagnosis, the book will list the chapters that will help you with your condition. This I found very helpful as exercises that didn't help me cope with depression I would not invest my time in. There are quite a few methods in dealing with a number of conditions. For example, for general anxiety the book suggest you focus on breathing exercises, meditation, progressive relaxation and goal setting. You will then skip ahead to those chapters to get the most out of your time with this book.It is also important to note that this is a workbook in which you will preform exercises to help you. In my opinion this is far better than passive reading as you are actively engaging your mind and body.I have bought quite a few self-help books, but I do not regret this purchase one bit.

Took a while to work through, but not difficult or overly long. The book starts with various relaxation exercises and then covers more typical cognitive behavioral issues. Hands down the best book I’ve found. The book avoids the extensive repetition so common in these type of books. It could easily be the only book you would need covering the subject extensively. Very easy to read and not overly clinical without insulting your intelligence. The only issue might be too many choices for possible relaxation exercises. If the reader just remembers that then can pick and choose what works for them and doesn’t try and master every technique in the book it should be markedly helpful. Have read a fairly large number of these type of books looking for a good all around book for my patients with excessive stress and anxiety and this would be my first choice.