Stress: The Psychology of Managing Pressure

Description

Covering sources of stress in every area of life: work, exams, relationships, social pressure, money, and more, this practical guide combines infographics and self-analysis questionnaires to make information easy to access and apply. This dynamic infographic program, founded on cutting-edge psychological research, enables you to deconstruct and deal with stress head-on. Stress: The Psychology of Managing Pressure helps you identify external and internal sources of stress in your life and reframe unhelpful patterns of thought into powerful psychological solutions that you can apply every day. Underpinned by psychological theory, with relevant findings from psychologists, doctors, and teachers, this book will help you smash the shadow of stress in any area of your life and emerge happier, healthier, and more productive. FOREWORD CHAPTER 1 | STRESS IN PERSPECTIVE: HOW STRESS AFFECTS YOUR BODY AND MIND What is stress?: What it is, and what it isn’t Naturally stressed: A necessary part of life Can stress be good for us?: A boost to the system Acquiring resilience: Bend but don’t break The body’s alarm system: The physiology of stress Identify your stressors: Finding the problem spots Coping mechanisms: Getting some control Stressed by nature?: Personality and pressure Taking it like a man?: Men, women, and stress Perfectly imperfect: The relief of realistic standards Self-compassion: Becoming your own comforter Writing it out: Keeping a stress diary Am I worth it?: Stress and self-esteem Finding meaning: Making stress worthwhile Feeling in control: Understanding our limits Breaking the worry cycle: Dealing with uncertainty De-stress your thinking: The power of CBT How stressed?: Between discomfort and danger CHAPTER 2 | A CONSTANT COMPANION: STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH LONG-TERM STRESS Pressures of today: Is life more stressful than ever? Tackling technostress: Coping in the digital age Balls in the air: The stress of multitasking Mirror, mirror: Body issues Secure in love?: Stress and relationships Not tonight, honey: Sex and intimacy Pressures of parenthood: Creating a calm home life In the workplace: Pressure to perform Job burnout: Knowing when to stop The pressure to spend: Managing your money Money worries: Surviving debt and insecurity Assert yourself: Learning to draw the line Speaking up: Asking for what you want Stop crowding me!: Coping with busy spaces In green places: The time-honored cure of nature Music and silence: The ear as healer Stress and older people: Growing old gracefully Always there for you: How to be a stronger caregiver Letting things go: The power of forgiveness Giving thanks: How gratitude can lower stress CHAPTER 3 | STRESS IN THE MOMENT: TROUBLESHOOTING TACTICS FOR SHORT-TERM STRESS Turning points: Stress in times of change The big day looms: Handling performance anxiety At odds with others: Managing the stress of conflict I can’t stand it!: How to deal with frustration When love ends: Breakup and divorce Life after loss: How to deal with bereavement Learning to face facts: Acceptance and commitment Breathe in, breathe out: Breath control remedies Learning to loosen up: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Take a moment: Mindfulness and meditation Let’s celebrate: Making holidays less stressful I need a drink: Stress and alcohol Avoiding avoidance: How to stop stress ruling you Staying well: Stress and ill health CHAPTER 4 | DE-STRESSING YOUR LIFE: CREATING A CALMER EXISTENCE Too much on your plate: How to prioritize Balancing act: How to juggle work and home Why free time counts: The value of leisure Fighting fit: The role of exercise The walking cure: How to de-stress with a stroll Mindful movement: De-stressing with yoga and tai chi Stress and food: Eating under pressure A good night’s sleep: Beating insomnia The simple life: Decluttering home and habits Strong enough: How to manage your willpower Resisting old habits: Staying firm under pressure Total immersion: The art of finding flow The human safety net: Friendship and support Positive talk: The benefits of avoiding complaints Seeing the funny side: The role of humor Get creative: Beating stress with arts and crafts The power of pets: The calming effects of animals All on your own?: The stress of loneliness The art of grit: Persistence and passion CHAPTER 5 | RESILIENCE AND RESOLUTION: FINDING SUPPORT AND BUILDING STRENGTH I don’t feel well: The physical symptoms of stress Big bad wolf: Overcoming an abusive childhood Taking care: Mental illness facts and fiction Under a gray cloud: Low mood and depression Managing fears: Four anxiety disorders Lifeboat ahoy: Could a therapist help? Holding steady: Living a resilient life Sources and bibliography Acknowledgments Copyright