Conquer Your Stress with Mind/Body Techniques {Book Review}

Conquer Your Stress with Mind/Body Techniques (by Kathy Gruver, PhD, LMT, RM) discusses the history of the stress response and how it affects us today. The book contains practical tips for decreasing the the body’s reaction to stress and offers simple techniques to increase your health by lessening your tension. The book is a treasure trove of easy methods that can be done at home or in the office and gives a multitude of choices of professional therapies you can incorporate into your life. For more information visit www.thealternativemedicinecabinet.com

MY REVIEW:

Since I've been in so much stress lately, I needed to find the time to relax. I took that free time to read the book and I really enjoyed it. I've learned to calm down a little and tried to let it go. There are some great advices.

Here is a sample of just some of the numerous mind/body techniques she describes to reduce and control stress:

Control Your Reaction to Stress! You have the power. You have to choose to exercise it. Realize that stress is not the problem. Our reaction to stress is the problem. Learn what you need to do to control your reaction. As soon as you gain control, stress is no longer detrimental.

Out with the Bad and In with the Good. Say No to Negatives. Don’t create your own stress. Push the negative thoughts away. Always have a list of good, positive ideas, pictures, and things you love nearby. Whenever a negative though comes up, choose to push it away and choose to focus on the good and the positive. So, rather than saying “I’m not getting sick,” say, “I am healthy and well.” This boosts the immune system and stops the cycle of negative thinking.

Direct Your Daydreams! Take control of your mind and body. Focus on the things you want to see happen in your life. If you find your mind wandering, acknowledge it, and then push it away! Focus on what YOU want it to focus on instead. Visualize actively! Draw, doodle, write poems, do whatever turns you on and helps you turn your ideas into plans, plans into actions, actions into reality. Change your life and your health for the better.

Take Baby Steps! Get Healthier Slowly and Steadily. Use the healthy activities that you already do in your life as a mind/body practice. Things like yoga, tai chi, massage, running, dance can all be used as a meditation.

Do Mini-Meditations Several Times a Day. Think you can’t meditate? You can now! There are simple mini-meditations that take just a few minutes to learn and can be done anywhere. They erase the stress response and help return our stress hormones and chemicals to normal. If I can do it, you can do it!

Pay Attention To What Your Body Is Telling You. Often, the body parts that are misbehaving are hinting at our stress. Do you feel like your hands are full and then develop carpal tunnel? Who is the pain in your neck? Are you shouldering the burden or feeling like you can’t stomach something? Observing these common phrases can be the key to identifying and releasing our stress.

Don’t Reward Yourself for Bad Behavior. When you are sick, don’t languish and enjoy being in bed any more than necessary. Don’t soak up the attention and consolation people give you for mistakes, painful experiences, or unforeseen accidents and illness any more than necessary to get back on your feet. . There are better ways to get love and attention. Choose health!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Kathy Gruver is an award-winning author, natural health speaker, educator and practioner. She has earned her PhD in Natural Health and has authored two books on stress: Body/Mind Therapies for the Bodyworker and, just published, Conquer Your Stress with Mind/Body Techniques. Her book The Alternative Medicine Cabinet was selected as a winner of the 2013 Beverly Hills Book Awards and finalist for the Indie Excellence Awards. It will be a national TV show with Gruver as host, debuting late 2013.

She has studied mind/body medicine at the famed Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Harvard Medical School and pursued further education at The National Institutes of Health. Gruver has been featured as an expert in countless publications including Yahoo.com, Ladies Home Journal, Massage and Bodyworks Magazine and Massage Magazine. She has written dozens of health and wellness articles and contributing posts. She has appeared as a guest expert on over 150 radio and TV shows including NPR, CBS Radio and Lifetime Television and has done dozens of educational lectures around the country. She has also served as an expert witness for massage negligence and ethics cases.

WHERE TO BUY: The book is now available at Amazon.com.



Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the mentioned book from the PR firm or publisher in exchange of my review. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.