Eve Adamson - The Everything Stress Management Book: Practical Ways to Relax, Be Healthy, and Maintain Your Sanity

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THE
EVERYTHING
Series

Dear Reader,
Whether you are hoping to manage stress as a preventive or as a la st-ditch effort, TheEverythingStress Management Book will show you how to recognize the kind of stress you have, or are likely to have soon. Then, this book will show you how to manage your stress, adjusting it to a level that is productive rather than counterproductive, by employing the stress management tools and techniques that appeal to you.

Believe me, I know about stress. Im a single mom to two very active young boys and a writer with sporadic paychecks, living in a house that is in constant chaos. Im always trying to turn in articles, write books, teach classes, go to PTO meetings, exercise, eat right, set a good example, and remain professional in front of colleagues I look stress squarely in the face on an hourly basis.

But Ive also got some powerful tools at my disposal. After coauthoring many books on intensive stress-reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, and some of the healthiest lifestyles in the world, I have embraced stress management as a lifestyle. Not as a hobby, or something to do when I have time, but as a number one priority. Stress management isnt penciled in. For me, stress management has to come first or I wont be able to be a good parent, a competent worker, or a happy person. Thanks to stress management, I h ave learned to be all three.

In this book, I share those tools with you, walking you through the different ways you can make stress management work in your life. Of course you arent exactly like me. You may be completely different. But I bet we both have a lot of stress in our lives. You can make stress management work for you, too.

So take a deep breath (a great stress reduction technique), jump in, and start reading. Know your stress to disarm it. Find your triggers and tendencies, then bit by bit, you can begin shaping and creating the kind of life you always dreamed you could live: a life efficiently managed, sleep that is satisfying, meals that feed your body and soul, relationships that are more fulfilling, better health, a daily sense of ease and well being, and yes, self-satisfaction. Stress management is the key.

May every one of your days be a little bit better, and a little less stressful, than the last.

Sincerely,

Eve Adamson

THE
EVERYTHING
STRESS
MANAGEMENT
BOOK

Practical ways to relax,
be healthy, and maintain
your sanity

Eve Adamson

Copyright 2002, F+W Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions
are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

Produced by Amaranth.

An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322. U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com
ISBN 10: 1-58062-578-9
ISBN 13: 978-1-58062-578-4
eISBN 13: 978-1-44052-227-7
Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Adamson, Eve.
The everything stress management book / by Eve Adamson.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-58062-578-9
1. Stress management--Popular works. I. Title.
RA785 .A335 2001
155.9'042-dc21 2001046318

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the
American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Illustrations by Barry Littmann.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, call 1-800-289-0963.

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Contents

Introduction

So, you think youre stressed? At least youre in good company! Stress has become a national epidemic, but knowing everyone else around you is suffering as much as you are isnt much help when your muscles are tense, your mind is racing, your palms are sweaty, your stomach hurts, and you cant concentrate on any of the many items on your monumental to-do list.

Although you know what the experts say about stress, you dont have time for a bubble bath, you cant justify the expense of a weekly massage, you wouldnt know how to begin meditating, and, as far as a healthy diet and exercise are concerned, if you dont drive through for fast food on the way home, nobody in the family is going to get fed tonight. Is there hope for you?

Sure there is. You just need a little training in stress management, and youve come to the right place. This book will help you to sort through all the information floating around out there about what stress is, what it is doing to your health and happiness, and why you need to do something about it today. Youll find simple descriptions of many stress management techniques, from mindfulness to de-cluttering, from easy exercise suggestions to advice on how to finally get control of your finances.