UltraCalm: A Six-Step Plan to Reduce Stress and Eliminate Anxiety

by Mark Hyman

Most relaxation techniques focus on either soothing the body or settling the mind--and achieve only limited results. Dr. Mark Hyman's approach helps you address the mind and body at once to achieve a state he calls "ultracalm." On UltraCalm, this bestselling author presents his simple, powerful method for generating a peaceful and harmonious state in the body-mind--one that allows the body's natural healing intelligence to work at its most effective level. This new audio learning program from Dr. Hyman Guided mind-body techniques to directly address three major health stress, anxiety, and depression. An overview of the science behind mind-body medicine--why this field is now the most important medical frontier. Breathing meditations and visualization exercises for feeling calm, confident, and in good spirits. On-the-spot techniques for dealing with stressful situations Dr. Mark Hyman believes that the future of medicine will be based on tapping the power of the mind-body connection. Since cutting-edge practices can sometimes take decades to enter the mainstream, his mission is to provide his listeners with the tools to take charge of their own health today. Join Dr. Hyman on UltraCalm to learn his potent techniques to relax and heal your whole self.

Genres: Health, Audiobook, Self Help, Nonfiction

2 pages, Audio CD

First published January 28, 2010

About the author

Mark Hyman, MD, believes that we all deserve a life of vitality--and that we have the potential to create it for ourselves. That's why he is dedicated to tackling the root causes of chronic disease by harnessing the power of Functional Medicine to transform healthcare. Dr. Hyman and his team work every day to empower people, organizations, and communities to heal their bodies and minds, and improve our social and economic resilience.

Dr. Hyman is a practicing family physician, an eleven-time New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in his field. He is the Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. He is also the founder and medical director of The UltraWellness Center, chairman of the board of the Institute for Functional Medicine, a medical editor of The Huffington Post, and was a regular medical contributor on many television shows including CBS This Morning, Today Show, CNN, and The View, Katie, and The Dr. Oz Show.

Dr. Hyman works with individuals and organizations, as well as policymakers and influencers. He has testified before both the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Senate Working Group on Health Care Reform on Functional Medicine. He has consulted with the Surgeon General on diabetes prevention and participated in the 2009 White House Forum on Prevention and Wellness. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa nominated Dr. Hyman for the President's Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. In addition, Dr. Hyman has worked with President Clinton, presenting at the Clinton Foundation's Health Matters, Achieving Wellness in Every Generation conference, and the Clinton Global Initiative, as well as with the World Economic Forum on global health issues. He is the winner of the Linus Pauling Award, The Nantucket Project Award, and was inducted in the Books for Better Life Hall of Fame.

Dr. Hyman also works with fellow leaders in his field to help people and communities thrive--with Rick Warren, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Dr. Daniel Amen, he created The Daniel Plan, a faith-based initiative that helped The Saddleback Church collectively lose 250,000 pounds. He is as an advisor and guest co-host on The Dr. Oz Show and is on the board of Dr. Oz's HealthCorps, which tackles the obesity epidemic by educating American students about nutrition. With Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Michael Roizen, Dr. Hyman crafted and helped introduce the Take Back Your Health Act of 2009 to the United States Senate to provide for reimbursement of lifestyle treatment of chronic disease. And, with Tim Ryan in 2015, helped introduce the ENRICH Act into Congress to fund nutrition in medical education. Dr. Hyman plays a substantial role in a major film produced by Laurie David and Katie Couric, released in 2014, called Fed Up, which addresses childhood obesity.

Reviews

[Noreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Hyman reads his own book with a calm and appealing voice. Wonderful advice and tips, but a bit too short.

[Alexandria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually looked into some of the suggestions Hyman makes, and most of the diet changes are based on little more than old wive's tales. Some of it is common sense: eat less junk food and drink more water and you'll feel more healthy. When you feel healthier, you are less stressed. I didn't need a book to tell me that!

Other suggestions didn't work for anyone lower on the socio-economic scale that solidly middle class. Most of his suggestions cost money and time that working class people just don't have to spare. And I found better meditation options through a quick Google search.

I've read a lot of books on meditation, stress, relief, and the like. And this was by far the least helpful and the most annoying to get through.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great "listen". If you know about stress, as well as stress-reduction, I don't know that there's anything new here. However, it's read by the author, and he "reads" as if he's talking directly to you. I rather liked that with this Audio Book.

The first disc is a discussion of the effects of stress on the body and the mind. The second disc is comprised of a series of stress reduction techniques.

To my mind, this is worth owning, and it's worth sharing with friends and family.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to give him a star because he's a great narrator.

I live in hope that I'll find a self-help book that doesn't seem so ... Overdone(?) (and I feel like I have found that at least once before), but I generally know this genre isn't for me.

I appreciate the concept of this recording: it wants to give you some ways to be less stressed. I agree with the basic theories - eat better, sleep better, exercise & breathe.
But the first half is about what he's about to tell you, so I didn't find benefit in that. And I totally agree that American food is heavily processed and that often means higher sugar and saturated fats (and maybe less nutrients). But why the hate on GMOs, again? And telling people to avoid heavy metal poisoning by eating organic isn't necessarily.. true. And he says 70% of people are zinc deficient (one of several numbers he mentioned about nutrition)... But USDA says it's 40% globally, with higher prevalence in developing countries.
... Anyway, hard to accept what he's saying when some of it just seems wrong, and annoyed about liking anything he said when now it feels untrustworthy.

Yes, do yoga and deep breathing, yes avoid eating a couple hours before bed, yes to eating more vegetables ("whole foods") and getting a varied diet with necessary nutrients.
But... Maybe don't listen to this book to figure out how to do that.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this author's book The Blood Sugar Solution, after suffering a stroke and two heart attacks in one day. Following suggestions in that book I was able to lower my blood pressure and get off all diabetes meds. My hope in reading this book I will be able to Lowe my stress levels This book offers solid information on how to achieve these goal. I look forward to putting these steps into action.

[Kelsey Grissom · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Nothing “wow” here, but I have been looking for a short, simple book to recommend about the body-brain connection and this is the best one I have found so far. The last chapter is a little fussy about supplements (I’m just not interested in that), but overall a good, brief, persuasive argument about why it’s worth overhauling several corners of your life in order to de-stress.

[Ash K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, to the point and very interesting listen (I did audio book). In two hours Dr Hyman goes through the most important aspect of how to eat, think and practice heathy lifestyle.

[L]

ultra calm offers a workable plan to increase relaxation and improve overall health. The actionable steps provided have become a valuable part of my day.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick & practical. Easy to listen audiobook that was better than I expected.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise, thorough, actionable. Bundle this with Emily Nagoski "Burnout" and you have a solid, holistic anti-stress regimen.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently found this author on PBS. This 2 hour audio is great. Covering the importance of reducing stress within and without.

[Viraj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to an audiobook. It had a few interesting things about relaxation including a quick breathing exercise. It was a quick read (1.5 hours of listening) and useful, hence recommending...

[John Kaess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but helpful. Being calm is a constant struggle for me, and this had a few worthwhile ideas.

[Marita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half of this book is very physical telling you how bad stress is for your body. After that he gives good advise on how to find ways to relax.

[BLACK CAT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Body and mind options to reduce stress.