Essentials of Managing Stress + Cd

Essentials of Managing Stress, Second Edition teaches practical skills and techniques to handle the daily stresses in life. While other texts are heavy with theory, this book offers both theory and effective application.

With over 80 exercises that teach students effective coping skills and relaxation techniques, Essentials of Managing Stress emphasizes that one must look at the mind, body, and spirit as equal parts of the whole person to deal with stress effectively.

Key Features

• Over 80 soul-searching and activity-based exercises help students identify stress prone behaviors and make effective changes in their lives that promote optimal well-being   
• The first chapter has been revised and updated including a section on PTSD and Racial Stress
• Practical techniques like breathing exercises, creative problem solving, and visualization are clearly explained and easy to add into a busy schedule
• New exercises have been added including Mandala for Healthy Grieving, Comic Relief and Good Vibrations, Journaling Exercises, Communication Skills, The Circle Breath Exercise Body Work Assessment, and The Yin/Yang of Life
• Chapter summaries have been added to the end of each chapter
• Information on the health benefits of Hatha Yoga and its prominent place in American culture are discussed
• Many photos are originals and were taken by the author himself

Table of Contents

Part 1  The Wellness Mandala: Holistic Stress Management
  Chapter 1  The Nature of Stress
  Chapter 2  The Body: The Battlefield for the Mind’s War Games
  Chapter 3  The Emotions: From a motivation of Fear to a Motivation of Love
  Chapter 4  The Mind: The Psychology of Stress
  Chapter 5  The Spirit: The Health of the Human Spirit
Part 2  Effective Coping Skills
  Chapter 6  Reframing: Creating a Positive Mind-Set
  Chapter 7  Comic Relief: The Healing Power of Humor
  Chapter 8  Simple Assertiveness and Healthy Boundaries
  Chapter 9  Time and Money: Effective Resource Management
  Chapter 10  Expressive Art Therapy
  Chapter 11  Creative Problem Solving
  Chapter 12  Additional Coping Skills
Part 3  Effective Relaxation Techniques
  Chapter 13  The Art of Calm: Breathing through the 5 Senses 
  Chapter 14  The Art of Breathing
  Chapter 15  The Art of Meditation
  Chapter 16  The Power of Mental Imagery and Visualization
  Chapter 17  Soothing Sounds: Music to Relax By
  Chapter 18  Massage Therapy and Bodywork
  Chapter 19  Hatha Yoga
  Chapter 20  Self-Hypnosis and Autogenics
  Chapter 21  Nutrition: Eating for a Healthy Immune System
  Chapter 22  Physical Exercise: Flushing Out the Stress Hormones
  Chapter 23  Additional Relaxation Techniques
Part 4  Designing Your Own Relaxation Program 
  Chapter 24  Designing Your Own Relaxation Program 

About the Authors

Brian Luke Seaward, PhD - Paramount Wellness Institute

Dr. Seaward is a renowned and respected international expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and health promotion. Currently he serves on the faculty of the University of Northern Colorado-Greeley and is the Executive Director of the Paramount Wellness Institute in Boulder, CO. The wisdom of Brian Luke Seaward can be found quoted in PBS specials, college graduation speeches, medical seminars, boardroom meetings, church sermons, and keynote addresses all over the world.  Dr. Seaward is the author of over 14 bestselling books many translated in several languages. He is respected nationally for his achievements in wellness program development for several Fortune 500 companies and is considered a popular speaker at many national and international conferences.