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This Book Will Make You Calm
Life in the twenty-first century is tough--new technology, constant change, more choice and extra pressure all add to our stress levels. And when you're stressed or tired your insecurities increase--so breaking that cycle feels impossible. But help is at this book will show you how to beat stress and become more positive, relaxed, and productive.
Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the latest cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) research to show you how to develop coping strategies and learn practical techniques to deal with stress and anxiety quickly and effectively. From reducing worry and boosting energy to breathing and mindfulness techniques, this helpful little book will make your life more serene, stress-free and fulfilled.
Chapters
Dr Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar draw on the latest cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) research to show you how to develop coping strategies and learn practical techniques to deal with stress and anxiety quickly and effectively. From reducing worry and boosting energy to breathing and mindfulness techniques, this helpful little book will make your life more serene, stress-free and fulfilled.
Chapters
160 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2015
About the author
Jessamy Hibberd
18 books58 followersDr Jessamy is a chartered clinical psychologist, author and mother of three. She lives in Hove by the sea and loves spending time on the beach with her family, as well as cycling in the South Downs.
In her books Dr Jessamy explores what’s really going on beneath the surface of our everyday lives, writing about the thoughts and feelings we all have - but don’t always say out loud.
Through expert advice and real-life examples from her clinic, Dr Jessamy will help you understand yourself better and most importantly teach you the strategies and techniques to feel your best more of the time. Drawing on more than twenty years of clinical experience – as well as her personal experience of trying to navigate life (and frequently falling short).
Jessamy's motto is: 'What we do every day makes the biggest difference. It’s small steps that lead to the greatest changes.' Something she puts in to practice (you guessed it) every day. She shared this message, as well as her personal and professional experience of how to find happiness, in her TEDx talk ‘Adventure of a Lifetime.’
For more on Dr Jessamy, you can visit her website: https://www.drjessamy.com
Or follow her @DrJessamy on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok
You can watch her TedX talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/jessamy_hib...
In her books Dr Jessamy explores what’s really going on beneath the surface of our everyday lives, writing about the thoughts and feelings we all have - but don’t always say out loud.
Through expert advice and real-life examples from her clinic, Dr Jessamy will help you understand yourself better and most importantly teach you the strategies and techniques to feel your best more of the time. Drawing on more than twenty years of clinical experience – as well as her personal experience of trying to navigate life (and frequently falling short).
Jessamy's motto is: 'What we do every day makes the biggest difference. It’s small steps that lead to the greatest changes.' Something she puts in to practice (you guessed it) every day. She shared this message, as well as her personal and professional experience of how to find happiness, in her TEDx talk ‘Adventure of a Lifetime.’
For more on Dr Jessamy, you can visit her website: https://www.drjessamy.com
Or follow her @DrJessamy on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok
You can watch her TedX talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/jessamy_hib...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 21, 2014
Stressed?
All my life I've always been the detail-oriented, over-achieving, what-if-scenario-replaying girl.
It can be exhausting. It might be part of the reason I've always liked books - an escape from life issues, distraction, and you don't have to interact with anyone.
I searched all over for books that would help. While the books made sense, I couldn't quite move the advice from head to heart. I could tell myself that worry did no good, but that didn't stop my body from betraying me. Any counselor/psychologist I saw never told me anything I hadn't already read about.
I finally realized that a low dose anti-anxiety med really helped me. I also found a good psychologist who actually had a couple of new perspectives for me that led to some "ah-ha!" moments.
I wish I had this book when I was really struggling.
It is filled with actually worthwhile (and simple) activities to work through your thought processes (it uses cognitive behavioral therapy). That being said, the authors do note that some people may need to see a professional and/or seek medication. No matter what combination you need to achieve well-being, this book will be valuable.
Onward to a calmer, less-anxious, new you!
I received a free digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
All my life I've always been the detail-oriented, over-achieving, what-if-scenario-replaying girl.
It can be exhausting. It might be part of the reason I've always liked books - an escape from life issues, distraction, and you don't have to interact with anyone.
I searched all over for books that would help. While the books made sense, I couldn't quite move the advice from head to heart. I could tell myself that worry did no good, but that didn't stop my body from betraying me. Any counselor/psychologist I saw never told me anything I hadn't already read about.
I finally realized that a low dose anti-anxiety med really helped me. I also found a good psychologist who actually had a couple of new perspectives for me that led to some "ah-ha!" moments.
I wish I had this book when I was really struggling.
It is filled with actually worthwhile (and simple) activities to work through your thought processes (it uses cognitive behavioral therapy). That being said, the authors do note that some people may need to see a professional and/or seek medication. No matter what combination you need to achieve well-being, this book will be valuable.
Onward to a calmer, less-anxious, new you!
I received a free digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2018
كمترشخصى پيداخواهيدكرد،كه زندگى او سرتاسرآرامش و ثبات باشد ...
همه ى ما در دوران زندگى خود شاهد تغييراتى بوديم،همچنان هستيم وصدالبته خواهيم بود!
لحظه هايى به رنگ آرامش ويابرعكس،لحظه هايى كه خبرى از آرامش نيست!
اين مطلب،مختص لحظاتى هست كه مادربين فشارهاى زندگى دست و پاميزنيم.
گاهى اين فشارها از بيرون سرچشمه مى گيرند اما قريب به اتفاق اكثراين فشارها و استرس ها منشأ درونى دارند.
به تبع وجود اين فشارها ما احساسات ناخوشايندى را احساس خواهيم كرد:عرق كردن،تمركز نداشتن،بى قرار بودن و...
اما در برخى موارد در اوج اين بى حالى ممكنه اين انرژى منفى وارد ارتباطاتتمون با ديگران بشه و اين حال بد رو منتقل كنيم:كج خلقى با ديگران؛تند خو بودن با ديگران و...
كجاى اين كار ايراد داره؟
وقتيكه ما ندونيم در چه احساسى غرق هستيم وبايدالان چه كارى انجام بديم؛مسبب اين خواهد شد كه نگرش و احساس منفى در ما بمونه و يا حتى لحظه ممكنه به شدتش هم اضافه بشه!!!
اين كتاب به ما كمك ميكنه كه راه حل و روش هايى رو براى خودمون دست و پا كنيم تا از شرايط بد و استرس زائى كه هستيم،رها بشيم و تغييرات مثبتى در زندگى خود ايجاد كنيم!
همچنين اين كتاب جز كتاب هاى خوديارى هستش،بدين صورت كه براى خواننده آزمون و تمريناتى رو گذاشته كه اگر بهشون عمل كنيم به حال خوبى دست پيدا خواهيم كرد!
شايد اين فكر به ذهنتون خطور كنه،كه:آيا روش هايى كه در اختيارمون ميذاره،مطمئن و خوب هستند؟
بايد خدمتون عرض كنم:بله!!
اين كتاب براساس يكى از اصول معتبر درمانى در حوزه اضطراب،استرس و افسردگى نوشته شده،به عنوان: رفتار درمانىِ شناختى (سى بى تى) - CBT :
(Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
پس جاى نگرانى نيست !!!
همه ى ما در دوران زندگى خود شاهد تغييراتى بوديم،همچنان هستيم وصدالبته خواهيم بود!
لحظه هايى به رنگ آرامش ويابرعكس،لحظه هايى كه خبرى از آرامش نيست!
اين مطلب،مختص لحظاتى هست كه مادربين فشارهاى زندگى دست و پاميزنيم.
گاهى اين فشارها از بيرون سرچشمه مى گيرند اما قريب به اتفاق اكثراين فشارها و استرس ها منشأ درونى دارند.
به تبع وجود اين فشارها ما احساسات ناخوشايندى را احساس خواهيم كرد:عرق كردن،تمركز نداشتن،بى قرار بودن و...
اما در برخى موارد در اوج اين بى حالى ممكنه اين انرژى منفى وارد ارتباطاتتمون با ديگران بشه و اين حال بد رو منتقل كنيم:كج خلقى با ديگران؛تند خو بودن با ديگران و...
كجاى اين كار ايراد داره؟
وقتيكه ما ندونيم در چه احساسى غرق هستيم وبايدالان چه كارى انجام بديم؛مسبب اين خواهد شد كه نگرش و احساس منفى در ما بمونه و يا حتى لحظه ممكنه به شدتش هم اضافه بشه!!!
اين كتاب به ما كمك ميكنه كه راه حل و روش هايى رو براى خودمون دست و پا كنيم تا از شرايط بد و استرس زائى كه هستيم،رها بشيم و تغييرات مثبتى در زندگى خود ايجاد كنيم!
همچنين اين كتاب جز كتاب هاى خوديارى هستش،بدين صورت كه براى خواننده آزمون و تمريناتى رو گذاشته كه اگر بهشون عمل كنيم به حال خوبى دست پيدا خواهيم كرد!
شايد اين فكر به ذهنتون خطور كنه،كه:آيا روش هايى كه در اختيارمون ميذاره،مطمئن و خوب هستند؟
بايد خدمتون عرض كنم:بله!!
اين كتاب براساس يكى از اصول معتبر درمانى در حوزه اضطراب،استرس و افسردگى نوشته شده،به عنوان: رفتار درمانىِ شناختى (سى بى تى) - CBT :
(Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
پس جاى نگرانى نيست !!!
October 8, 2015
It took too long to finish because I was able to read it only in moments of high anxiety – in normal times, reading it was making me anxious because the book asks you to remember and log and analyze stressful events in your life for various exercises. So I restricted my interaction with it with moments when I was already anxious for some reason – already up for the battle.
I recommend this book to people suffering from anxiety. It hasn't transformed me altogether (yet) but I've adopted some of the dozens of insights and techniques it offers that work for me really well. I believe you can find many others in there that work for you.
I recommend this book to people suffering from anxiety. It hasn't transformed me altogether (yet) but I've adopted some of the dozens of insights and techniques it offers that work for me really well. I believe you can find many others in there that work for you.
August 25, 2014
It has great strategies, though u need to get them work on your own. But it gives u enough direction
April 2, 2015
Really helpful for me personally, maybe not everyone's cup of tea though. Would still definitely recommend it to anyone who often feels angry or stressed.
August 11, 2015
If you already read so much this kind of books, you can find this as a cliché. If not, you find so much zen-living tricks, healthy foods and living balance etc.
May 16, 2015
Co-written by a clinical psychologist and journalist, this self-help book has a number of platitudes, such as tidying up, eating a healthy diet, exercise, getting enough sleep, and so on, but also interesting parts as well about dealing with stress and anxiety. You don’t have to read the book from cover to cover.
I liked the part about negative automatic thinking. Making assumptions too quickly. The authors propose looking for alternative ways of viewing a situation. Question your prejudices. How your stress is very dependent on your interpretation of an event. I think the authors are right that questioning your immediate reaction is a good idea. You have to give other people the benefit of the doubt. It’s easy to generalize and distort info to fit your worldview. For example remembering the time you made a fool of yourself and overlooking the success you had. You may put too much emphasis on one particular character flaw and overlook other aspects about that person.
Another tip is creating a peaceful, imaginary place in your mind where you can relax, and your stressful thoughts are let out with each breath you take.
The authors suggest jotting down causes and possible solutions to anxiety in order to relax. But picking a specific time to think about stressful matters is something I couldn’t do. Perhaps others are able to. I would want to talk it over with someone rather than think about the problem alone.
Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar urge us to distract our worried thoughts by playing a game, doing a crossword, listening to music, exercise, reading positive quotes, and so on.
I liked the part about negative automatic thinking. Making assumptions too quickly. The authors propose looking for alternative ways of viewing a situation. Question your prejudices. How your stress is very dependent on your interpretation of an event. I think the authors are right that questioning your immediate reaction is a good idea. You have to give other people the benefit of the doubt. It’s easy to generalize and distort info to fit your worldview. For example remembering the time you made a fool of yourself and overlooking the success you had. You may put too much emphasis on one particular character flaw and overlook other aspects about that person.
Another tip is creating a peaceful, imaginary place in your mind where you can relax, and your stressful thoughts are let out with each breath you take.
The authors suggest jotting down causes and possible solutions to anxiety in order to relax. But picking a specific time to think about stressful matters is something I couldn’t do. Perhaps others are able to. I would want to talk it over with someone rather than think about the problem alone.
Jessamy Hibberd and Jo Usmar urge us to distract our worried thoughts by playing a game, doing a crossword, listening to music, exercise, reading positive quotes, and so on.
December 23, 2015
I started reading "This Book Will Make You Calm" while I was at the height of stress and every day I was having a battle with my temper. You can say I read the book when I most needed it for it proved to be really useful and actually helped me see stressful events from a logical perspective.
The book was very easy to read and understand. The division and sequencing of chapters also made sense. I liked that from the get go, the authors didn't claim the strategies they offer would work on every person as well as it being a 100% cure for your anxiety problems. Even after reading the book, you may or may not need to consult with a trained medical professional.
However, what the book does guarantee is that you will be taught constructive ways on how to better control your emotions and thoughts when dealing with stressful events which could of course prevent anxiety and worry from overwhelming and taking control of your life.
The book was very easy to read and understand. The division and sequencing of chapters also made sense. I liked that from the get go, the authors didn't claim the strategies they offer would work on every person as well as it being a 100% cure for your anxiety problems. Even after reading the book, you may or may not need to consult with a trained medical professional.
However, what the book does guarantee is that you will be taught constructive ways on how to better control your emotions and thoughts when dealing with stressful events which could of course prevent anxiety and worry from overwhelming and taking control of your life.
December 30, 2022
Το μικρό βιβλίο της ηρεμίας σας βοηθάει να βρείτε λύσεις σε μικρά αλλά και μεγαλύτερα προβλήματα. Θα βρείτε κατανοητούς και εύκολους τρόπους για να διαχειριστείτε το στρες, για να βρείτε ισορροπία ανάμεσα στην επαγγελματική και προσωπική σας ζωή, για να απαλλαγείτε από το άγχος, για να ελέγξετε τον πανικό, για να μάθετε να επικοινωνείτε καλύτερα. Επίσης στο τέλος του βιβλίου θα βρείτε τεχνικές χαλάρωσης. Για να δείτε αποτελέσματα όμως χρειάζεται προσπάθεια. Θα χρειαστεί να εφαρμόσετε τις λύσεις που προτείνονται στο βιβλίο. Θα σας πάρει χρόνο και ίσως χρειαστεί να ανατρέχετε στο βιβλίο κατά διαστήματα. Σίγουρα όμως θα δείτε αποτελέσματα που θα βελτιώσουν την καθημερινότητα σας και τις σχέσεις σας με τους ανθρώπους. Καμία αλλαγή δεν είναι αδύνατη αρκεί να το αποφασίσουμε. Αυτό είναι και το σημαντικότερο βήμα.
April 14, 2020
Μπορεί να το αγαπήσεις (για τους αρχάριους σαν εμένα που ξεκινάμε ταπεινά), μπορεί βέβαια και να το μισήσεις (για τους προχωρημένους που ζητούν πολλά περισσότερα). Καταρχάς διαβάζετε πολύ εύκολα, κατανοητά και γρήγορα δίνοντας την ευκαιρία όχι μόνο να μην βαρεθείς, αλλά και να κρατήσεις και πολλά πράγματα στο κεφάλι σου από συμβουλές και ασκήσεις. Προσωπικά, είχα δίπλα μου ένα υπογραμμιστικό, με το οποίο σημείωνα όσα μου ταίριαζαν περισσότερο και ήθελα να θυμάμαι ή να δοκιμάσω. Δίνει συμβουλές για την ψυχική γαλήνη, για την ισορροπία με τους γύρω και άλλους παράγοντες που επηρεάζονται από αυτά και δυσχεραίνουν τη ζωή και τη συμβίωσή μας.
Για ένα ελαφρύ ξεκίνημα λοιπόν, στο να αλλάξεις τον εαυτό σου, μπορείς να ξεκινήσεις και από εδώ.
Για ένα ελαφρύ ξεκίνημα λοιπόν, στο να αλλάξεις τον εαυτό σου, μπορείς να ξεκινήσεις και από εδώ.
September 17, 2016
A nice, quick {Although I stopped & started again once!}, easy, funny & relatable read. I enjoyed the writing style & the structured Chapters.
Does what it says on the tin & also actually gives you the tools to continue using moving forwards.
I'd recommend this to everyone-However big or small of a role anxiety plays in your life, this will definitely help if you choose to take it all in. :)
I have the Happy & Confident Books in this series too {All 3 were free with Magazines}-Definitely going to give them a read asap.
Does what it says on the tin & also actually gives you the tools to continue using moving forwards.
I'd recommend this to everyone-However big or small of a role anxiety plays in your life, this will definitely help if you choose to take it all in. :)
I have the Happy & Confident Books in this series too {All 3 were free with Magazines}-Definitely going to give them a read asap.
April 23, 2016
A handy little book; ideal size to carry with you.
10 chapters talking you through what stress and anxiety are and ways that you can tackle it.
I particularly liked the chapters on putting worry in its place and reality check.
Ideal for those that want a quick read so that they can put new ideas into practice and see what works for them. There are plenty of ideas so if one doesn't work for you I'm sure another will.
10 chapters talking you through what stress and anxiety are and ways that you can tackle it.
I particularly liked the chapters on putting worry in its place and reality check.
Ideal for those that want a quick read so that they can put new ideas into practice and see what works for them. There are plenty of ideas so if one doesn't work for you I'm sure another will.
October 11, 2021
Good practical and realistic guidance
Well worth a read and undertaking some of the practical procedures. Some really good practical suggestions that I feel would be useful to anyone wishing to have an overall more calm approach to the inevitable trials and tribulations of living a non calm life.
Well worth a read and undertaking some of the practical procedures. Some really good practical suggestions that I feel would be useful to anyone wishing to have an overall more calm approach to the inevitable trials and tribulations of living a non calm life.
September 25, 2024
The book was ok, pretty scientifically based since it used CBT as the modality to work on reframing and habit formation. Parts of the book has pretty hmm strong/informal ways of addressing topics which I wasn’t too comfortable with but overall ok book to kick start our journey to calming ourselves
Bias note: More comfortable with mindfulness practices
Bias note: More comfortable with mindfulness practices
February 7, 2015
I really enjoyed this book which was very easy to read. It is full of helpful little tips and I imagine anyone from the very stressed and anxious, to the slightly stressed and anxious, would find at least something of interest in here. I'll be reading more of the series.
March 23, 2018
Estoy agradecida conmigo misma por darme la oportunidad de leer este libro. Contiene muchos buenos consejos para relajarnos, y no importa si los he leído antes, pues, puestos aquí y en el estilo de las autoras, me hacen sentido por primera vez. Con seguridad, voy a releerlo.
November 14, 2021
Tacky title aside, this book was beneficial. I appreciate that it was written and researched by an actual clinical psychologist who knows a thing or two about anxiety. The tips helped calming me down.
March 23, 2014
Brilliant for worriers like me!
January 28, 2015
Cognitve behavioral therapy.
February 3, 2015
I didn't think this give me any info of value. As someone who suffers from anxiety I could at some points almost feel like it just should shape up and get over it.
Read
August 1, 2016awesome
September 17, 2016
I expected something interesting!
January 1, 2020
Everyone basically knows this. Somehow it was a good reminder for me to go back to this fundamentals.
January 8, 2022
كتاب خفيف وبسيط يعطي نصائح مباشرة ومعلومات مفيدة يقرأه المبتدئ بكل سهولة . افضل من كتب التنمية البشرية واعم فائدة بإذن الله.
المهم التطبيق
المهم التطبيق
January 18, 2026
Help me a little :)
January 30, 2026
A 50/50 mix of helpful tips to teach yourself to combat stress, and cheesy filler stories with bad jokes. It was worth the read though, and I did take and keep notes.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews