Dr Hart provides a useful framework for living in stressful times. His book begins by explaining the true nature of stress, how it damages us and its relationships with other psychological and physiological experiences. The author goes on to explain useful and practical techniques that can be employed to identify and diagnose the adrenaline arousal often resulting from stress, as well as an approach to finding its sources.
Dr Hart advises several methods and changes you can implement to manage stress, combat the damaging effects of over exposure to adrenaline and achieve a state of relaxation and health.
The book, primarily, takes a scientific approach to the subject, focusing on the psychological and physiological factors. For example, the brain functions, stress hormones, emotional responses/triggers and physical changes/symptoms associated with states of stress and relaxation - are all explored and explained.
The book contains occasional self-test questionnaires, which can be used to identify stress levels and key stressors in your life, as well as personality/behavioural traits which may contribute to your propensity to experience unhealthy and unpleasant stress.
The book requires no specialist knowledge in the field of psychology or stress management, as all things are explained clearly in layman's terms.
The author clearly holds strong religious beliefs but, much to my relief, keeps those beliefs separate from the subject matter of the book. This makes it suitable for people who have no religious beliefs or wish to explore the subject from a more scientific perspective. Dr Hart does, however dedicate the final few pages of the book to the spiritual aspects of stress management for those who are interested.
This is a book well worthwhile reading if you, or someone close to you, wants to manage stress more successfully, or is severely affected by stress. It has proved to be a very positive influence on the way I live my life and has made me more aware of the importance of managing stress effectively.
