Bryan Robinson - The Smart Guide to Managing Stress

The Smart Guide To Managing Stress

Published by

Smart Guide Publications, Inc.

2517 Deer Chase Drive

Norman, OK 73071

www.smartguidepublications.com

Copyright 2012 by Bryan Robinson. All rights reserved. No part of this book, including interior design, cover design, illustrations and icons may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

For information, address: Smart Guide Publications, Inc. 2517 Deer Creek Drive, Norman, OK 73071

SMART GUIDE and Design are registered trademarks licensed to Smart Guide Publications, Inc.

International Standard Book Number: 978-1-937636-27-2

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number:

11 12 13 14 15 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Printed in the United States of America

Cover design: Lorna Llewellyn

Copy Editor: Ruth Strother

Back cover design: Joel Friedlander, Eric Gelb, Deon Seifert

Back cover copy: Eric Gelb, Deon Seifert

Illustrations: James Balkovek

Production: Zo Lonergan

Indexer: Cory Emberson

V.P./Business Manager: Cathy Barker

TESTIMONIALS

Dr. Robinson provides a detailed roadmap to understanding the nature of mild to severe stresses, the many sources of internal and external stress, and effective processes to deal successfully with them all. This book should be by the bedside of everyone.

Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., author of Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples

This guide for managing stress gives us powerful tools for navigating anxiety and reactivity. With great clarity and warmth, Bryan Robinson opens us to the possibility of living with an increasing sense of balance, happiness, and ease. This book is an accomplishment! It will be deeply helpful to many.

Tara Brach, Ph.D., author of Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha

This simple yet profound guide takes the stress out of managing stress, offering clear information and concrete advice on how to have a calmer, more peaceful life.

Kristin Neff, Ph.D., author of Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind

A rich and thorough guidethe insights on workaholism, addiction, and stress offer especially valuable insights for getting our most critical and insidious risk factors under control.

Martin Rossman, M.D., author of The Worry Solution: Using Breakthrough Brain Science to Turn Stress and Anxiety into Confidence and Happiness

The Smart Guide to Managing Stress is sure to become another best-seller for Bryan Robinson. Readers will love the special features, and Robinson is always the master who can create a step-by-step approach to life-changing actions. Every reader will love Bryans tips, truths and concepts and find themselves savoring all the wisdom shared in this masterpiece.

Joy Miller, Ph.D., CEO of Joy Miller & Associates, Counseling and Wellness, author and motivational speaker

Using easy-to-understand language, this practical book can help virtually anyone to become less stressed. Providing insight into the many causes of stress in modern life, it offers wide-ranging solutions based on the latest research and clinical practices. Dr. Robinson helps us deal more effectively with all aspects of our lives, showing us how to be happier, healthier, and more content, regardless of our circumstances.

Ronald D. Siegel, Psy.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School and author of The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems

With humor and authority, Bryan Robinson brings you the latest breakthrough science in clearly written practical tips and exercises.

Fred Luskin, Ph.D., Director of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project and author of Forgive for Good

The Smart Guide to Managing Stress is sure to become the go-to-source for busy individuals seeking a healthier, more productive, and contented life. Dr. Robinson provides an eye-opening and thoughtful 360-degree view on how stress impacts every facet of ones life.

Chuck Runyon, Co-founder & CEO of Anytime Fitness and coauthor of Working Out Sucks

Bryan Robinsons Guide offers many helpful and creative suggestions for living more sanelyand even thrivingin the midst of the ever-escalating pressures of 21st-century life. He is truly a Doctor of Calm!

Sharon Salzberg, Ph.D., author of Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation, a 28-Day Program and Lovingkindness

The Smart Guide to Managing Stress is an outstanding and exhaustive must-read resource for anyone trying to deal more effectively with stress. It provides thorough review of the research and gives excellent and easy-to-follow advice on managing stress.

Andrew Newberg, M.D., coauthor of How God Changes Your Brain

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Id like to thank Jamey McCullers for giving me the gift of seeing the water Im swimming in and helping me find the flip side of the stressful life I was stuck in. Id also like to acknowledge Pema Chodrin and His Holiness the Dalai Lamaboth of whom have inspired me by their teachings and being in their presence.

Special gratitude is due to my agent, Sally McMillan, for standing by my side through many ups and downs in the publishing world and for encouraging me to take on this project. I appreciate the technical help of Greg Mayer of Charlotte Street Computers for bailing me out of many computer glitches, Charlie Covington for creating a beautiful website, and Peter at Purplecat for keeping my website alive. And I am eternally indebted to my talented friend, well-known photographer Jon Michael Riley for the time, energy, and creativity he spent on the book photograph.

A hearty thank you to my personal trainer, Tricia Thompson, of Anytime Fitness in Asheville, North Carolina, for contributing the information on stretching and Pilates, and to Stephanie Wilder for her editorial assistance on several of the early chapters.

I owe a special debt to my close friends and loved ones who staunchly cover my back and nurture me on an ongoing basis: Sara Thompson; Nancy Chase; Sohnie Luckhardt; Jamey McCullers; Anne Bergeron; Karen DuBose; Rick Werner; Glenda and James Loftin; Blake, Shere, and Nick Loftin; and Stephanie Wilder.

I offer many bows and blessings to the experts who read the unedited manuscript and gave it two thumbs up: Tara Brach; Harville Hendrix; Sharon Salzberg; Andrew Newberg; Kristin Neff; Joy Miller; Ronald Siegel, Martin Rossman, Chuck Runyon, and Fred Luskin.

To all the staff at Smart Guide Publications for their support and cooperation in transforming the manuscript into a book and for their steadfastness in getting the Smart Guide project launched against many roller-coaster obstacles.

Last but not least, Id like to thank the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of clients and readers of my previous books. As my teachers, you have inspired me with your strength, hope, courage, and resilience on lifes sometimes stressful path.

DEDICATION

This book is for my lifelong partner, Jamey McCullers, for your steadfast patience, support, and enduring love.

Permissions

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale in Chapter 2 was reprinted from Journal of Psychosomatic Research , volume 11(issue 2), Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale, pages 213218, 1967, with permission from Elsevier.