A Healthier, Happier You: 101 Steps for Lessening Stress

This book has a lot of good suggestions for relieving stress and becoming healthier and happier. However, I did not give it 5 stars, because I did not agree with some of the suggestions. Even though most of the suggestions were good, there were a few that were too strong. Most things are good in moderation. Being too strong about a particular suggestion might be good for one person, but not necessarily for someone else. For example, the one about getting in shape. A person has to do whatever is best for their physical condition. Not everyone can get in shape with that much physical activity at one time. It depends on your age, weight, and current physical condition. I also didn't like the suggestion about forming neighborhood activities and ballgames. Not everybody lives in a neighborhood where that is possible; plus, that sort of arrangement is not for everyone. I also didn't like the suggestion of watching a movie. Just the mere idea of trying to make someone watch a movie who absolutely hates movies gives me a feeling of irritation and stress. I'm glad this is just a book to read, and that we have the freedom to do the suggestion, or to not do the suggestion. It would be aweful if this wasn't a free country and we were made to watch movies. That thought really horrifies me. There were a few other suggestions that I didn't like. But everyone is different; everyone has different interests and hobbies. What relieves one person's stress would add stress to someone else. So therefore, the reader has to decide which ones will work for them. There are lots of examples of stress-relievers that I do like and I do know works for me: laughing, playing, picking wildflowers, dreaming, drinking hot tea, being different, relaxing, walking, fishing. Those are just a few. There are a lot more good suggestions than bad suggestions. So I would definitely recommend this book. And most of all, the suggestion of having God in your life is a good and positive suggestion.

I give the book 5 stars, even though I don't agree with all the tips, and some don't apply to me. But an intelligent person can weed out the ones that are not right for them. For example, I would go into cardiac arrest if I exercised the amount she suggested. And most of us can't afford to get a massage that often. And I don't watch movies - I hate, despise movies - they stress me out more than anything, so that tip certainly didn't apply to me. And I have no desire to have a pet. But most of the tips were good. It was fun and easy and enjoyable.

Smith covers a broad range of ideas for becomingless stressed over all.I really appreciated the variety of different stress relieversthat she suggests, including many that don't necessarily requirethe added stress of having to rearrange schedules to put them into practice.Most importantly, she constantly interweaves the importance of relating to God as the most important facet of reducing stress.Highly recommended.