Product Description
The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook broke new ground when it was first published in 1980, detailing easy, step-by-step techniques for calming the body and mind in an increasingly overstimulated world. Now in its sixth edition, this workbook, highly regarded by therapists and their clients, remains the "go-to" source for stress reduction strategies that can be incorporated into even the busiest lives. This new edition is updated with powerful relaxation techniques based on the latest research, and draws from a variety of proven treatment methods, including progressive relaxation, autogenics, self-hypnosis, visualization, and mindfulness and acceptance therapy. In the first chapter, you'll explore your own stress triggers and symptoms, and learn how to create a personal plan for stress reduction. Each chapter features a different method for relaxation and stress reduction, explains why the method works, and provides on-the-spot exercises you can do to apply that method when you feel stressed. The result is a comprehensive yet accessible workbook that will help you to curb stress and cultivate a more peaceful life.

Amazon.com Review
Although the sheer size of this dense workbook might cause initial hyperventilation--280 full-size sheets of text--take heart (and a deep breath!): the many self-assessment tools and calming techniques presented in this fifth edition can help overcome anxiety and promote physical and emotional well-being. First introduced in 1980, the book received praise for presenting a comprehensive look at stress, its physical manifestations, and the multiple ways it can be managed. Twenty years later, its well-organized chapters on breathing, relaxation, meditation, thought stopping, and body awareness still guide the reader through copious self-help techniques to try and, eventually, master. Other chapters, including job stress management, goal setting and time management, and assertiveness training, focus on daily scenarios people often find distressing. Lessons in identifying key elements that trigger unpleasant responses and in reacting differently to these elements are designed to defuse perceived conflicts. For this edition, coauthors Martha Davis (psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, CA), Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman (licensed clinical social worker with Kaiser Permanente Online), and Matthew McKay (clinical director of Haight-Ashbury Psychological Services, San Francisco, CA) have added topics on worry control, anger management, and eye-movement therapy. New diagrams and a more reader-friendly format should appeal to readers, despite a few typos and graphical mishaps. This is a valuable tool for therapists, their patients, and the stressed-at-large. --Liane Thomas

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 62 reviews)

Good book for the price. Great ideas and exercises in it. by Trishia M. Williams (Gresham, Or USA)

4 Stars
October 21, 2009
This is a textbook for a 5 week class so I haven't been able to get through the whole book at this point but do like it so far. It has some great ideas, information and exercises in it. I think I'll keep this one for future referrence rather than selling it back.

worth buying.. by Himanshu Puri (jersey city, nj)

4 Stars
September 21, 2009
did not read it completely but it has some real good stuff. after reading the exercise on breathing itself i found out so much difference and realized that many times i was not even breathing right..i think if you can find even one thing that can take away your stress, its great !!

totally satisfied by Y. Mok (bloomington, IN)

5 Stars
August 23, 2009
the book is exactly like what the seller said, very new and love it. thanks

Well presented by Tin Pigeon (San Francisco, CA)

4 Stars
August 02, 2009
There are several assessment exercises at the beginning geared to help one identify the type then quantify the level of stress being experienced. From there, one reads one or another chapter with relaxation techniques thought to be particularly useful in reducing that type of stress. One could either reassess or just flip to a chapter with exercises that seem appealing and work for them. I did the assessment, and also had some recommended to me, so I flip around a lot depending on my mood. (My stress, really!) Some exercises may seem a bit simplistic, but if you go in with an open mind and stick to it, most are really quite useful.

The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook by Nin

4 Stars
June 16, 2009
Excellent resource for learning stress management and relaxation strategies. The Good: Each chapter is dedicated to a specific topic, such as re-breathing training, refuting irrational ideas and meditation, and the authors do an excellent job providing some background information (e.g., the role of stress in daily life, the fight-flight response, pictures of the diaphragm and information regarding normal vs. shallow breathing). Text is written in very easy-to-understand language and the strategies are easy to learn and apply in a variety of situations. Yet like any skills the strategies require practice, time, and patience to begin to have an effect on your life. What Needs To Be Improved: Whilst the book provides numerous strategies to combat stress and to encourage relaxation, there is no information regarding what someone should do if the strategies don't work. Also, the book tends to focus primarily on breathing-based exercise with the assumption that a person can simply sit down and "get it" at the expense of other proven stress-reduction strategies, such as distress tolerance or mindfulness-based strategies. Furthermore, given that readers need to follow a script for most of the breathing exercises, a companion CD containing the script would have been helpful as trying to follow the instructions whilst doing the exercise is not effective. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn ways to manage everyday stress. I would not recommend this book as the sole resource for anyone who experiences emotional issues that are "deeper" than everyday stress as unfortunately the strategies in this book may not be as effective if used alone and such individuals should instead seek help from a psychologist. I would also recommend this book to students or other professionals interested in learning some introductory information about relaxation strategies.

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