November 25, 2013
Shaw, founder of the Stress Management Society, draws from his own experiences of overcoming stress to provide âsupport, guidance, and assistance to those in need of help.â Part memoir, part self-help guide, the result is purposeful and urgent. The autobiographical portions of the book range from Shahâs experiences climbing Mount Everest to the time he spent in a Buddhist monastery. After defining stress and its effects on the body, Shah outlines a number of coping techniques. While some chapters are lighter in content and have fewer directives, others are full of insightful suggestions. For example, the author offers five breathing exercises, highlighting their particular purposes and benefits; some to relax, others to energize. Shah also includes useful chapters on sleep, hydration, and time-management. It is the little nuggets of information hidden within these chapters make them truly worthwhile; a chapter on eating, for example, introduces us to the relaxing benefits of 20 foods. This might just be the book you need in this high-paced world.