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Not yet published
Expected 10 Feb 26Learn how to manage your anxiety and find peace
· actionable and evidence-based strategies
· learn how to cope in the moment and fight overwhelm
· experience a better, more fulfilled life
Designed so you can quickly access the simple strategies you need in the moment, this book helps you regain control when . . .
· you don't understand your intense emotions
· you're under tremendous pressure
· you feel tired, angry, or full of regret
· you're dealing with intrusive thoughts
· your past is haunting you
· your inner critic won't let up
· you feel like sometimes you abandon yourself to please others
· your perfectionism is keeping you stuck or overwhelmed
· you feel setting and maintaining boundaries is difficult or guilt-inducing
· you're trapped in a cycle you don't know how to break
· you feel lost or directionless
· your regret over past mistakes is weighing you down
· and much more
***
Even though it's uncomfortable and sometimes even distressing to us, it's perfectly normal to feel lost, anxious, or overwhelmed at times. It's okay to be a bit of a mess! But none of us wants to stay that way for long.
With actionable, evidence-based strategies to handle our most common challenges in life, this practical guide from bestselling author and clinical neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf offers the tools you need to prevent a descent into chaos and instead find peace and strength amid the turmoil of daily life.
If you have felt stuck in crisis mode, the strategies found in this book will help you cope in the moment, manage a chaotic mind, and start living each day with intention and inner peace.
***
"Help in a Hurry is jam-packed with evidence-based strategies to address a variety of common difficulties, including the experience of stressful, anxious, intrusive, or other overwhelming thoughts. Readers will come to understand what's going on in their mind and body and will learn practical steps to break these dysfunctional habits."--Nicole LePera, author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers How to Do the Work and How to Be the Love You Seek
"This book is a game-changer. If you're looking to transform your mindset and heal from past challenges, Caroline's approach will guide you every step of the way. Don't wait--this book will help you unlock your true potential."--Lewis Howes, New York Times bestselling author of The School of Greatness
"Life is full of inevitable challenges, but your mind is your greatest ally in overcoming them. If you're ready to unlock your mental power and embrace each challenge as an opportunity, this is the book for you."--Jim Kwik, top brain coach and New York Times bestselling author of Limitless
"In a world that demands constant mental recalibration, these strategies are not only helpful--they're our lifelines. Dr. Caroline expertly teaches us how to prepare ourselves with tools, repair negative thinking and behavioral cycles, and return to a place of personal agency where we can choose how we want to respond."--Alyson Stoner,actor, author, and mental health founder
· actionable and evidence-based strategies
· learn how to cope in the moment and fight overwhelm
· experience a better, more fulfilled life
Designed so you can quickly access the simple strategies you need in the moment, this book helps you regain control when . . .
· you don't understand your intense emotions
· you're under tremendous pressure
· you feel tired, angry, or full of regret
· you're dealing with intrusive thoughts
· your past is haunting you
· your inner critic won't let up
· you feel like sometimes you abandon yourself to please others
· your perfectionism is keeping you stuck or overwhelmed
· you feel setting and maintaining boundaries is difficult or guilt-inducing
· you're trapped in a cycle you don't know how to break
· you feel lost or directionless
· your regret over past mistakes is weighing you down
· and much more
***
Even though it's uncomfortable and sometimes even distressing to us, it's perfectly normal to feel lost, anxious, or overwhelmed at times. It's okay to be a bit of a mess! But none of us wants to stay that way for long.
With actionable, evidence-based strategies to handle our most common challenges in life, this practical guide from bestselling author and clinical neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf offers the tools you need to prevent a descent into chaos and instead find peace and strength amid the turmoil of daily life.
If you have felt stuck in crisis mode, the strategies found in this book will help you cope in the moment, manage a chaotic mind, and start living each day with intention and inner peace.
***
"Help in a Hurry is jam-packed with evidence-based strategies to address a variety of common difficulties, including the experience of stressful, anxious, intrusive, or other overwhelming thoughts. Readers will come to understand what's going on in their mind and body and will learn practical steps to break these dysfunctional habits."--Nicole LePera, author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers How to Do the Work and How to Be the Love You Seek
"This book is a game-changer. If you're looking to transform your mindset and heal from past challenges, Caroline's approach will guide you every step of the way. Don't wait--this book will help you unlock your true potential."--Lewis Howes, New York Times bestselling author of The School of Greatness
"Life is full of inevitable challenges, but your mind is your greatest ally in overcoming them. If you're ready to unlock your mental power and embrace each challenge as an opportunity, this is the book for you."--Jim Kwik, top brain coach and New York Times bestselling author of Limitless
"In a world that demands constant mental recalibration, these strategies are not only helpful--they're our lifelines. Dr. Caroline expertly teaches us how to prepare ourselves with tools, repair negative thinking and behavioral cycles, and return to a place of personal agency where we can choose how we want to respond."--Alyson Stoner,actor, author, and mental health founder
256 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 10, 2026
103 people are currently reading
3549 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Leaf
60 books713 followersDr. Caroline Leaf is a cognitive neuroscientist with a PhD in Communication Pathology specializing in Neuropsychology. Since the early 1980‘s she has studied and researched the Mind-Brain connection. During her years in clinical practice as a Communication Pathologist she developed tools and processes that help people develop and change their thinking and subsequent behavior. Her scientific Science of Thought techniques have transformed the lives of patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), learning disabilities, emotional traumas and released the potential of thousands of young students and adults.
She has presented her unique Switch On Your Brain with the 5-Step Learning Process® and the Metacognitive-Map™ learning tool to thousands of students worldwide.
She developed the Geodesic Learning™ theory (how we think and process information) that has been conservatively shown to increase thinking, behavioral and academic performance by 35-75%. This revolutionary theory explains the Science of Thought, stating how thoughts form, how we process information and the power of the non-conscious mind and the relationship between the non-conscious and conscious. It explains that everything you do is first a physical thought in the physical brain. You think, and then you do, which cycles back to the original thought, changing it, and the thoughts connected to it, in a dynamic interrelationship. Therefore if your thinking is toxic, then your communication and behavior are toxic, and vice versa.
She has published numerous articles in academic journals and consumer magazines and has been widely interviewed in newspapers, on radio shows, and on television shows about her research and theories.
She has her own weekly TV show called "Switch On Your Brain" airing on TBN.
She frequently lectures to both Christian and secular audiences worldwide, linking scientific principles of the brain to spiritual, intellectual and emotional issues in simple and practical ways. She speaks on diverse topics relating to optimal thinking, and hence, brain performance, including:
1. Thinking and learning
2. Controlling your thought life
3. Managing stress
4. Eradicating toxic thoughts
5. Overcoming mental, emotional, and spiritual strongholds
6. Understanding male and female brain differences
7. Applying wisdom
8. Identifying your unique gifts
DR. CAROLINE LEAF’S DEGREES
University of Cape Town South Africa Degree of Bachelor of Science (Logopaedics) - December 1985
University of Pretoria South Africa Masters in Communication Pathology with distinction/cum laude - June 1990
University of Pretoria South Africa Doctor Philosophiae with specialization in Communication Pathology With distinction/cum laude and academic honors - May 1997
She has presented her unique Switch On Your Brain with the 5-Step Learning Process® and the Metacognitive-Map™ learning tool to thousands of students worldwide.
She developed the Geodesic Learning™ theory (how we think and process information) that has been conservatively shown to increase thinking, behavioral and academic performance by 35-75%. This revolutionary theory explains the Science of Thought, stating how thoughts form, how we process information and the power of the non-conscious mind and the relationship between the non-conscious and conscious. It explains that everything you do is first a physical thought in the physical brain. You think, and then you do, which cycles back to the original thought, changing it, and the thoughts connected to it, in a dynamic interrelationship. Therefore if your thinking is toxic, then your communication and behavior are toxic, and vice versa.
She has published numerous articles in academic journals and consumer magazines and has been widely interviewed in newspapers, on radio shows, and on television shows about her research and theories.
She has her own weekly TV show called "Switch On Your Brain" airing on TBN.
She frequently lectures to both Christian and secular audiences worldwide, linking scientific principles of the brain to spiritual, intellectual and emotional issues in simple and practical ways. She speaks on diverse topics relating to optimal thinking, and hence, brain performance, including:
1. Thinking and learning
2. Controlling your thought life
3. Managing stress
4. Eradicating toxic thoughts
5. Overcoming mental, emotional, and spiritual strongholds
6. Understanding male and female brain differences
7. Applying wisdom
8. Identifying your unique gifts
DR. CAROLINE LEAF’S DEGREES
University of Cape Town South Africa Degree of Bachelor of Science (Logopaedics) - December 1985
University of Pretoria South Africa Masters in Communication Pathology with distinction/cum laude - June 1990
University of Pretoria South Africa Doctor Philosophiae with specialization in Communication Pathology With distinction/cum laude and academic honors - May 1997
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 21, 2025
I think I have read every book Dr. Leaf has written and I continue to be impressed with her knowledge and practical suggestions toward mental well being. Many of her books give a good deal of information on her clinical studies and results. Some might find those books a bit overwhelming.
This book is more concise with quick help, providing strategies for immediate aid when one might feel one's head is going to explode. The strategies are not knew as I have read them in earlier books but they are presented in a most accessible way here. Chapter titles help readers quickly find the strategy they need.
Some of her insights I particularly like include her ideas on dealing with critical self talk, how deep thinking is necessary and how it differs from worry. As an avid reader, I was happy to see her write the role of reading is “...a fast and efficient way to turbo-boost the brain's ability to change and heal...” (50) I like how she explained the difference between rest and restoration when dealing with feeling tired. Her strategy for dealing with intrusive thoughts is great.
She reminds us we are with our minds 24/7, unlike our time with a therapist or our best friend. We need to learn to deal with our mental wellness ourselves. She also reminds us it is okay to struggle, to not be okay. That is part of being human. She encourages us to be patient and kind to ourselves.
“Maintaining a sense of peace when the world feels like it is falling apart around us is truly one of the most incredible skills we can develop as human beings...” (202)
I highly recommend this book to those who desire to have peace when facing anxiety, worry and feeling overwhelmed. You will find good help here.
This book is more concise with quick help, providing strategies for immediate aid when one might feel one's head is going to explode. The strategies are not knew as I have read them in earlier books but they are presented in a most accessible way here. Chapter titles help readers quickly find the strategy they need.
Some of her insights I particularly like include her ideas on dealing with critical self talk, how deep thinking is necessary and how it differs from worry. As an avid reader, I was happy to see her write the role of reading is “...a fast and efficient way to turbo-boost the brain's ability to change and heal...” (50) I like how she explained the difference between rest and restoration when dealing with feeling tired. Her strategy for dealing with intrusive thoughts is great.
She reminds us we are with our minds 24/7, unlike our time with a therapist or our best friend. We need to learn to deal with our mental wellness ourselves. She also reminds us it is okay to struggle, to not be okay. That is part of being human. She encourages us to be patient and kind to ourselves.
“Maintaining a sense of peace when the world feels like it is falling apart around us is truly one of the most incredible skills we can develop as human beings...” (202)
I highly recommend this book to those who desire to have peace when facing anxiety, worry and feeling overwhelmed. You will find good help here.
September 4, 2025
After way too long of an introduction if you’re reading this book for help in a literal hurry, there are lots of short chapters with casual, positive advice for all different issues like having intrusive thoughts, being a people pleaser and feeling overwhelmed. There are quite a few of these scenarios but they are sort of like light life coaching. For example, in the very short chapter on needing help because your past was traumatic, you are supposed to think of three positive memories every time you remember a bad one, and not let yourself think of bad memories for more than five minutes. An example given for the bad experience is if your father was emotionally absent.
I don’t even know what to say to that. I don’t think this book is intended for those of us with really traumatic pasts. It will be a helpful resource if you want help of the more standard variety, though it does feel like it veers into toxic positivity and victim blaming at times.
I read a digital review copy of this book via netgalley.
I don’t even know what to say to that. I don’t think this book is intended for those of us with really traumatic pasts. It will be a helpful resource if you want help of the more standard variety, though it does feel like it veers into toxic positivity and victim blaming at times.
I read a digital review copy of this book via netgalley.
August 11, 2025
Thank you to Baker Books for the complimentary copy to review!
This self-help book covers quite a spectrum of social issues from anxiety and anger to people pleasing and self sabotage and each aptly and cleverly named chapter can be read out of order and when you need it. And it's already helping me personally!
In today's world I feel as though these books are a dime a dozen but quality ones like this are hard to find. Instead of the same toxic positivity and "just have faith" or "just stop doing that" many of these books tend to do, this one is by someone who actually cares and who is giving us actually helpful information. Dr. Leaf gives us adequate information about how we're feeling or what we're doing and then gives us simple, practical tips for getting our brains back on track. It's going in my recommendation lists immediately.
If you or someone you know needs a book like this, hand them this one. It'll be a good one to have on hand!
This self-help book covers quite a spectrum of social issues from anxiety and anger to people pleasing and self sabotage and each aptly and cleverly named chapter can be read out of order and when you need it. And it's already helping me personally!
In today's world I feel as though these books are a dime a dozen but quality ones like this are hard to find. Instead of the same toxic positivity and "just have faith" or "just stop doing that" many of these books tend to do, this one is by someone who actually cares and who is giving us actually helpful information. Dr. Leaf gives us adequate information about how we're feeling or what we're doing and then gives us simple, practical tips for getting our brains back on track. It's going in my recommendation lists immediately.
If you or someone you know needs a book like this, hand them this one. It'll be a good one to have on hand!
September 5, 2025
"Help in a Hurry" by Dr. Caroline Leaf is a practical guide that helps explain the connection between the brain, mind, and body.
The book is a how-to guide that helps identify areas of rumination and stop overthinking before it spirals out of control. The book is well-organized and tackles a variety of common mental health topics like perfectionism, overwhelm, and people pleasing. Dr. Leaf's evidence-based strategies are simple and applicable to a wide variety of situations. While many self-help books can be dense, Dr. Leaf's book is compiled in an easy-to-read manner with no extraneous information. It can be read in one sitting, out of order, or linearly, depending on your individual goals and what you hope to gain from it. It's a great resource to refer back to time and time again, as its advice is timeless.
Thank you to NetGalley and Baker Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The book is a how-to guide that helps identify areas of rumination and stop overthinking before it spirals out of control. The book is well-organized and tackles a variety of common mental health topics like perfectionism, overwhelm, and people pleasing. Dr. Leaf's evidence-based strategies are simple and applicable to a wide variety of situations. While many self-help books can be dense, Dr. Leaf's book is compiled in an easy-to-read manner with no extraneous information. It can be read in one sitting, out of order, or linearly, depending on your individual goals and what you hope to gain from it. It's a great resource to refer back to time and time again, as its advice is timeless.
Thank you to NetGalley and Baker Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 25, 2025
Help in a Hurry is a wonderful resource for those chaotic moments when it feels like our thoughts are spiraling out of control. I found the coping strategies and actionable tips incredibly helpful! This is a book you can truly pick up right in the middle of a challenging situation and find the tools you need to center yourself and build mental resilience.
This book is for you if:
🌷 You are under pressure and often feel stressed.
🌷 You feel like you are at your limit.
🌷 You think you need to have everything together all the time.
🌷 You have a hard time accepting that it's okay not to be okay.
🌷 You struggle with intrusive thoughts, overthinking, and intense self-criticism.
These points only begin to touch on the many concepts and insights covered by Dr. Caroline Leaf in this excellent book.
I highly recommend it!
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is for you if:
🌷 You are under pressure and often feel stressed.
🌷 You feel like you are at your limit.
🌷 You think you need to have everything together all the time.
🌷 You have a hard time accepting that it's okay not to be okay.
🌷 You struggle with intrusive thoughts, overthinking, and intense self-criticism.
These points only begin to touch on the many concepts and insights covered by Dr. Caroline Leaf in this excellent book.
I highly recommend it!
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 9, 2025
The Title Doesn't Lie - Resources Start Immediately!
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2025
I love that immediately, within the first pages of the first chapter, there are practical suggestions that can be incorporated in a variety of situations. As a wellness coach, it is one of my ambitions to share simple, actionable strategies and be able to explain the science behind why they work in a clear, relatable way with my clients. This is one of the reasons I turn to Dr. Leaf's books, and Help in a Hurry is the easiest to follow and most relatable and quickly actionable book I've read of hers to date. I highly recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2025
I love that immediately, within the first pages of the first chapter, there are practical suggestions that can be incorporated in a variety of situations. As a wellness coach, it is one of my ambitions to share simple, actionable strategies and be able to explain the science behind why they work in a clear, relatable way with my clients. This is one of the reasons I turn to Dr. Leaf's books, and Help in a Hurry is the easiest to follow and most relatable and quickly actionable book I've read of hers to date. I highly recommend!
August 11, 2025
The gift that keeps on giving
Three pages in—I began updating content quotes for my coaching clients. This information is groundbreaking! If you follow Dr. Leaf and read (all) of her books (like me), the information will seem familiar. But you will also note how simple yet impactful it is right out of the gate. She’s managed to take a complicated topic like psychoneurobiology and distill it into questions that you absolutely have. And then…she provides the super practical worksheets. It’s a dream. Thank you, Dr. Leaf! You continue to astound and heal. What an incredible gift. Both the hardback and kindle are great—yes I have both.
Three pages in—I began updating content quotes for my coaching clients. This information is groundbreaking! If you follow Dr. Leaf and read (all) of her books (like me), the information will seem familiar. But you will also note how simple yet impactful it is right out of the gate. She’s managed to take a complicated topic like psychoneurobiology and distill it into questions that you absolutely have. And then…she provides the super practical worksheets. It’s a dream. Thank you, Dr. Leaf! You continue to astound and heal. What an incredible gift. Both the hardback and kindle are great—yes I have both.
September 4, 2025
This book is full of practical tips and reminders that we can immediately implement. I found it more helpful than 'Your Mental Mess,' which focused heavily on studies. This book gets straight to actionable steps for managing specific thoughts. The quotes 'If words control you, then everyone can control you,' 'You can control the way you react to a situation,' and 'move away from absolutes' resonated with me. It empowered me to become more aware of my thoughts and control my emotions.
Thank you #NetGalley and #Bakerbooks for a copy of the book in exchange of my honest review.
#Helpinahurry #NetGalley #Happilyaddictedtobooks #Bakerbooks #BakerPublishingGroup #CarolineLeaf
Thank you #NetGalley and #Bakerbooks for a copy of the book in exchange of my honest review.
#Helpinahurry #NetGalley #Happilyaddictedtobooks #Bakerbooks #BakerPublishingGroup #CarolineLeaf
August 10, 2025
This book has been a game changer for organizing my thoughts and replacing negative thoughts with the right ones based on truth. It also helps me shift my mindset and focus. I believe it can benefit anyone who needs to restructure their thoughts and find the help they require. As a follower of Christ, I find this method very practical for applying 2 Corinthians 10:5 which encourages us to take every thought captive in Christ. This approach has been incredibly effective for me and has truly changed my life.
August 21, 2025
This book is an absolute gem that captivated me from start to finish—I devoured it in one sitting, only pausing briefly for a snack! It’s not just a compelling read; it’s a treasure trove of practical tools designed to help manage our thoughts and rest to restore our brains. The insights are so impactful and actionable that I’m eager to read through it slowly again, so that I can incorporate as much wisdom as possible into my daily life. Congratulations on delivering yet another brilliant masterpiece!
August 8, 2025
As a torture and trafficking survivor, my anxiety was spiraling while job hunting in these uncertain times. Dr. Leaf’s Brain Strom Reset transformed my anxiety and negative thinking in less than a month. Now, “Help in a Hurry,” her clear, compassionate guidance and practical brain hacks is helping me find focus, peace, and even land two job offers. This book is a lifeline for anyone ready to reclaim their joy and heal from the past.
August 9, 2025
Help in a Hurry by Dr. Caroline Leaf is the Rocky Balboa of neuropsychobiology, empowering you with grit and resilience to conquer your toughest moments. It equips you with practical, science-based tools to ensure a bad day doesn’t spiral into a bad week. A must-have for everyone seeking to take control of their mental strength!
August 24, 2025
Understanding Yourself
I have read a lot of Dr. Leaf’s books and I just love her wisdom and compassion.
Her new book Help In A Hurry is a powerful tool for anyone who is trying to understand themselves, or if you want help with your mental wellbeing, find balance and have more peace in your life than this book is for you.
I have read a lot of Dr. Leaf’s books and I just love her wisdom and compassion.
Her new book Help In A Hurry is a powerful tool for anyone who is trying to understand themselves, or if you want help with your mental wellbeing, find balance and have more peace in your life than this book is for you.
August 15, 2025
This book is exactly what it is called "Help In A Hurry!" I knew it was going to be great from the beginning when it states a quote I said a lot, "when it rains, it pours!"
Thank you Baker Books for a copy of book in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you Baker Books for a copy of book in exchange for my honest review!
August 5, 2025
I could not wait for the book to come out as I am struggling at work and this book is making my life so much easier. What a life saver. Thank you so much Dr Leav
August 11, 2025
This is the holy grail simple yet most effective than any therapy i’ve done in the past. Thank you for strategies that actually work and fast
August 14, 2025
Nothing I haven’t read before.
All the tips are the same: take a deep breath, think about why you’re feeling the way you do, “zone out”. It’s more like no help in a hurry.
All the tips are the same: take a deep breath, think about why you’re feeling the way you do, “zone out”. It’s more like no help in a hurry.
August 25, 2025
I love the writing way ,science and practical stuff in this book.
Dr Caroline Leaf is incredible and no this is not a bible of the mind and brain but a great tool to use in the moments when you think you sink or you can't see the end of the tunnel. When you are feeling so bad, angry, confused , sad or exhausted this science- based book is much better then a pill. First there is a comprehensive look at the mind, brain and body connection so you understand your actions and after that the treasure box is opening. Help in a hurry is a prescription to learn to deal with perfection, people pleasing, toxic situations and a lot more. The chapters are short and to the point with attractive titles. I had to read the ebook because my book is on the way and I was so curious to discover the wisdom in it . No it is not perfect and that's good because perfection is not what you want but the tips to prevent drowning ,dwelling in the past and to see new possibilities even when your brain , feelings or mind are in a state of fire are amazing. To end this review: " It is not about being always happy or feeling okay but about a new way of living every day".
Dr Caroline Leaf is incredible and no this is not a bible of the mind and brain but a great tool to use in the moments when you think you sink or you can't see the end of the tunnel. When you are feeling so bad, angry, confused , sad or exhausted this science- based book is much better then a pill. First there is a comprehensive look at the mind, brain and body connection so you understand your actions and after that the treasure box is opening. Help in a hurry is a prescription to learn to deal with perfection, people pleasing, toxic situations and a lot more. The chapters are short and to the point with attractive titles. I had to read the ebook because my book is on the way and I was so curious to discover the wisdom in it . No it is not perfect and that's good because perfection is not what you want but the tips to prevent drowning ,dwelling in the past and to see new possibilities even when your brain , feelings or mind are in a state of fire are amazing. To end this review: " It is not about being always happy or feeling okay but about a new way of living every day".
August 26, 2025
great practical book, I love the Neurocycling technique and going through the questions really calms me down when I most need it
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews