The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook

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

This is seriously one of the best workbooks out there along with the Dialetical Behaviour Thearpy workbook, this book has so much helpful and useful information that can help anyone no matter what they are experiencing. This book has so many different tools and resources and I'm really glad it exists because it's a wonderful tool and resource for anyone to use. Truthfully a wonderful book to have.

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.

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.

I have been dealing with MANY extremely stressful situations within the last couple of years - and along with this depression, anxiety, fatigue, etc. has been very present in my life - this book was recommended by the 'woman to woman' website and I thought to myself well this is probably "JUST" another book, but to my amazement I couldn't put this workbook down - reading just the first couple of chapters has helped tremendously! I could hardly wait till I read the rest of the book. This workbook has helped me to take a breath, finally - It is a book that is simple reading and structured - those who deal with 'structure' best will love the way this book is laid out - TAKE A CHANCE AND GET THIS WORKBOOK, afterall if it's not what you want, re-sell it on AMAZON. This book will bless you. Thank you Debbie

I was afraid to order a used book that had activities in it for fear that they would be written in. The book was better then described. No highlighting, no writing in book, great condition. Very minor and small wear on the top of the binding. I ordered another one for a friend that was brand new since I didn't know what this one would be like. I wish I had ordered 2 from this seller since this was a great price and looked just like new. Very fast shipping also! Great price! Would buy from this seller again. The actual book is also great. Has lots of information and exercises to do dealing with stress. Would recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.

I have the 6th edition. I really like the way they essentially hit the library stacks and make practical tons of research and books out there in a chewable format. Even though the book is large, the chapters are symmetrically laid out and not intimidating. You have to do some work, but usually it's 2 weeks to a month on a given issue for 20 minutes a day. I bought McKay's Self Esteem book which I also really like - I felt I got a lot of the best stuff from that book in this one and this one is written much better. I bought the book to help with sleep problems and controlling anger and I think I made a better choice getting this book than getting entire books specializing in those areas. In short, this books contains diligent research, real life experience feedback and excellent, practical summation.

This was just ok for me, I loved the assessments at the beginning, I've been working with a therapist and having those to look at and refer to have helped, however a lot of these techniques are not always the easiest or the most helpful. It is a very overwhelming book but it is nice to have options since not every technique works for everyone. I do think though it is hard to skip around in the book as they seem to refer to other chapters a lot, so if one technique isn't working and you try to skip to another you might not be able to use it, if you haven't mastered a previous technique. I think it is a good option to have and check out, but it isn't the absolute best, but it does actually provide a lot of options and tips. I appreciate the thought and time that went into this but I can't say it has helped me a whole lot. I personally need something to supplement my therapy something I can do on a daily basis and some of these are very in depth and require a lot of time and focus that with my anxiety I don't quite feel like I have the time for. But it is a good place to start I think for a lot of people.

Lots of good information in it

sehr unübersichtlich, sehr kleine Buchstaben,schwer zu lesen und zu verstehen. Kapitel eng beschrieben. Text oft kompliziert , manchmal nicht zu verstehen, so dass mehreres Lesen der selben Absätze nötig ist.

Any mental health professional's must-have! I have been using this book for ages now and most techniques in here are carved in my memory! This is something anyone working in a mental health field should have, a fresher or a seasoned therapist! I also give it to my clients to read and have it in our school's library. Don't practice without it!

It is an excellent manual for dealing with the stresses of daily life. Complete. It brings all the resources and possibilities to avoid or treat stress and all the harmful consequences that result.

Muy bueno, explica diversas técnicas de relajación de forma muy concisa y clara, con un enfoque práctico. He aprendido varias gracias a este libro y es útil conocer distintas técnicas porque tienen distinto efecto. Tiene una segunda parte sobre gestión del tiempo que parece bien organizada, pero no la he trabajado (¿por falta de tiempo?)