30 Days to Taming Your Stress

Reviewed by Regan Windsor for Reader Views (5/07) There are few people who are unaffected by stress; for all the rest of us "30 Days to Taming Your Stress" is an essential guidebook! Divided into 30 chapters, or days, each chapter provides behavioral changes aimed at reducing stress. Some suggestions impact both mind and body stress, including getting enough sleep, nourishing your body, and getting physical. Some, however, are less obvious, such as laughing, stopping `stress-speak,' and changing small behaviors that may be self-sabotaging (which includes those big purses that result in the stress of not being able to find something when you need it!). The first chapter covers "Identifying Your Stressors." "The pressures do not necessarily have to be negative to have a negative impact on our bodies, nor must they be things that are obvious." By paying attention and listing your stressors you are in a better position to make changes to alleviate or cope with the stress they are causing, or if they are something you have control over, find a way to change the situation or your behavior. The second chapter discusses "Securing Your Foundation." "The base is our spiritual foundation, which consists primarily of prayer and the Word of God. The legs represent the financial, relational, mental, and physical aspects of our lives. Each leg must be strongly connected to our spiritual base in order for it to stand and be strong." The remaining chapters provide simple and effective ways to introduce small changes in order to make a big difference in managing stress. Some examples include living by your guiding principles (values), scheduling your day wisely, learning how to delegate, enjoying the present, and learning to say no. Each chapter ends with a sentence prayer incorporating the teachings of the chapter through reflection and meditation, asking the Lord to help provide guidance in our daily struggle to reduce stress through self understanding and growth. "30 Days to Taming Your Stress" provides short, but highly-effective, chapters. This book's daily commitment is small in comparison to the return of an increased sense of peace and a reduced level of stress. This is one book you will want to keep on your bedside table as you will return to its gentle reminders again and again as you feel the need to "tame your stress."