[DK Series 01] • Stress the Psychology of Managing Pressure by DK -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

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