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Stress-Proof Your Life: 52 Brilliant Ideas for Taking Control

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Elisabeth Wilson looks at the sources of stress – occupational, genetic and environmental – and reveals 52 brilliant techniques for creating a stress-free zone. When your batteries are blown and burnout is imminent these top tips can help you regain control.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

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718 people want to read

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Elisabeth Wilson

52 books7 followers

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5 stars
85 (18%)
4 stars
129 (27%)
3 stars
156 (33%)
2 stars
64 (13%)
1 star
38 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Mashail Alhodaibi.
27 reviews
October 29, 2010

من أفضل كتب التنمية البشرية الي قريتها
أنصح كل من تؤثر فية ضعوط حياة وتصيبة بتوتر
أن يقراءة
<3
Profile Image for Maggie Mallory.
33 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2011
I love reading self-help books. I don't know why. I like doing yoga even though my brothers and my father used to make fun of me. When I saw this book on Amazon for free, I thought "Why Not?"
I learned a couple of new techniques that I am going to try. I am also going to research some names, for example, a nutritionist Kathryn Marsden, and Karen Kingston. Also, look into flylady.com. When you are beyond stress, she reminded me of the prayer: "God, give me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Some people might think this is just a bit hokey but when I am stressed, I will try anything. :)
108 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2019
Informative and great advice

I like how the suggestions are broken down in a question and answer format at the end of each new suggestion.
As for unique ideas, I personally didn’t find too many that I don’t already do, but it was nice to have some of my systems reiterated by a professional!
I did get a couple of ideas and have enjoyed implementing them.
Profile Image for Carol.
566 reviews
March 17, 2019
Very helpful. Quick, easy 2-3 page chapters. Most are very pertinent. Take and use what you need.
Profile Image for Jemma Love.
148 reviews1 follower
October 5, 2024
Equal parts fantastic ideas and chat GPT style gibberish! Couldn’t tear myself away!
Profile Image for TC.
220 reviews15 followers
August 22, 2011
Let's face it, who doesn't have at least a bit of stress in their life? That's why I'm always open to ways of reducing stress and making life a little bit better. I picked this up as a Kindle freebie (still free as I write the review) and compared with the last non-fiction guide I picked up for free this one was pretty good.

Unsurprisingly it provides 52 ways to try and reduce stress levels. These hints encompass diet, organisation, relaxation and plenty more. What I liked was that the author acknowledges life will never be stress free, and that in fact it's probably not healthy to be that way, but seeks to provide ideas to suit all sorts of people. She also accepts that some of the hints may be a bit zen or new age for some people but gives reasons as to why they are worth a try and approaches the whole thing with a touch of humour. The fact that it's not presenting a vision of utopia made me feel like the ideas were achievable. I've already put some of the ideas into practice and am planning to try some more. I loved No. 26 Restoration Day, a sort of duvet day combined with a bit of gentle exercise and mini-detox.

Each idea starts with a description, followed by an activity to try, then another idea appearing in the book that relates to it, followed by a Defining Idea - a quote, then a Q&A to pick up on areas that might be difficult or additional info. Some of it is common sense, and other ideas may not be covered in sufficient depth is you have already a lot about topics like aromatherapy, but it covers such a range that was fine with me.

Handily this book is well-formatted with a proper table of contents with a brief description and a link to each of the ideas. I think this is so helpful in this sort of book, especially as each one cross-references other linked ideas. I did find myself skimming some hints that didn't seem applicable or were a bit too hippy-dippy for my liking, but with so many to choose from there was still plenty to learn from. I have taken a while to read the whole book, because it is so well-suited to dipping in and out of.

I really liked this book and the approachable tone adopted. It is the length of a short novel and had some good ideas and info. I'd definitely say grab a copy if you could do with reducing your stress levels.
Profile Image for Monika.
225 reviews18 followers
November 28, 2012
It was intriguing. Nothing new, actually, but it's a nice collection of good advices. I like the idea that your prorities have to change when everything is on your head. You have to choose what will be the most important. Also, I like the idea to overcome procrastination. Even though I don't like deviding tasks into many pieces and doing just bits of that and bits of other. That's not for me but the idea is nice itself.

I love the thought of planning realistically but dreaming big. It's not that easy as it sounds but it's wise and worth to stick with it. Also, to spend time doing things we absolutely love and what bring us happiness r at least a good mood.

It's true that when we are calm people around us are getting more calmly, as well. It's just contagious. I experienced it on myself many times. When I was very stressed but kept calm and a smile people asking me how I do it to be so calm and without nerves. It's just a trick to cheat your own mind. But it's helpful and apparently it helps other people, as well.

Also, exercising, good diet and enough time for sleep is essential and nothing new but it was nice to read about from author's point of view.

However what I didn't like about this book was rather loose and too common way of writting. It's more like a long e-mail to a friend than a profesional book. Also, I disliked that Wilson assumed everyone is working or if they work they have to work at the office and stuck under huge piles of documents. People have different jobs and they are have different reasons to be stressed. Many of Wilson's assumptions were just like missed shots. However in overall I enjoy reading this mix of good tips.
126 reviews
December 9, 2013
This is one of the best self help books I have read off late. Can be described as a lively book full of real life examples with many pages dedicated to real questions asked by the toughest of the audience. Elisabeth Wilson is a doctor turned journalist/author.
The reader is taken through a journey of 52 brilliant ideas which touch each and every aspect of stress ever recorded which is supposed to have an adverse effect on the mental and physical balance of an individual, if neglected. Each and every idea is enhanced with live examples which are relevant to each one of us and end with a simple tip and a famous quote which summarize the essence of the idea.
The reader gets to gain immense knowledge on various scientific therapies, simple medical tips, hormonal efficiencies and betterment of life through simple procedures suggested by the author.
Some of the most interesting of them are DHEA, Social Mis-attribution, effect of gingko biloba, relaxation techniques, aroma therapy, payback actions, iceberg stress, male menopause, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, lemon balm, one-in, one-out rule, Laser Beam Approach, Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, the Japanese bath, Alexander Technique, the latte factor, desk holiday, floatation theory, reflexology and herbal healers to name a few.
The overall presentation of the book is excellent. The author took very good care in addressing stress related problems of both men and women equally.

My rating is 4.25/5
Profile Image for Snicketts.
357 reviews3 followers
October 27, 2013
Freebie from Kindle which I found surprisingly interesting. The style is friendly, the advice isn't completely esoteric, but achievable. Also, a lot of it involves lists and stationery, which are both passions of mine! Probably nothing ground-breaking in it, but it's nice to have it in bite sized pieces to test out in your daily life. I have already started using the 10,20,30 method to curb my tendency to procrastinate. It actually worked very well.
Profile Image for Joanna Gawn.
Author 7 books38 followers
September 17, 2013
A really good collection of ideas which are well-thought out.

Some ideas I'm already using. Others I knew of, but needed a kick up the rear to encourage me to implement them. And some ideas are new and fresh.

I read the book at the point in my life where I recognised that I needed to review and upgrade my response to stress, and now book myself at least 45 mins daily for qi gong, meditation and yoga, whilst also using mini meditation moments to balance my energy better through the day.
Profile Image for غيداء الجويسر.
Author 1 book745 followers
August 3, 2014
استفدت منه كثيرا ولازلت أستحضر الكثير من نصائحه لأطبقها، 52 فكرةهي بمثابة "نور" يجعلك تراجع ما "استنزفه" القلق من حياتنا.
الكتاب فعلا يطرح طرقا عملية وقابلة للتطبيق غالبا وهو يستسقي نصائحه من علوم متعددة و تجارب حقيقية أنصح به بشدة وفي رأيي هو و
eat that frog
سيغيّران في حياة من يقرأهما الكثير
أنصحكم به جدا :)
20 reviews
May 16, 2012
I got this as a Kindle Freebie. It's from an English author so some of the slang and grammar was awkward to read but the ideas presented are helpful. I have tried a few already and can see them being effective. I hope to re-read it again sometime and take some notes.
Profile Image for Ann.
581 reviews4 followers
May 11, 2016
I enjoyed this book and found it helpful. I bought it some time ago on my kindle, I think it was a special offer, however I think it would be better in book form rather than ebook. There are constant references back and forwards in the book it would be much easier to flick through a paper book.
16 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2011
I wish I would have gotten this in print instead of on my kindle! There are so many fantastic ideas that would be easy to implement into my life!
Profile Image for Maple.
208 reviews47 followers
October 13, 2011
It was okay. Not sure it helped any, but it has some good tips in it.
Profile Image for Rosemary Daly.
478 reviews6 followers
April 8, 2012
Are you stressed? This little work will give you 52 wonderful - doable - usable ideas to help combat it. I've already tried some - and it has been quite beneficial.
Profile Image for Jeff.
157 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2014
Solid book with tips for reducing stress. It is a quick read, with most chapters taking about five minutes. I see this more as an organizational efficiency book with a number of tricks worth trying.
255 reviews1 follower
February 7, 2016
Some good ideas. But makes one feel guilty for relaxing too much
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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