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Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook

NCJ Number
98210
Author(s)
M Davis; E R Eshelman; M McKay
Date Published
1982
Length
205 pages
Annotation
This step-by-step workbook for stress reduction covers methods as progressive relaxation, self-hypnosis, biofeedback, exercise, assertiveness training, and time management.
Abstract
Its premise is that every person experiences stress from three basic sources: the environment, the body, and thoughts. The handbook deals with environmental, physical, and psychological stressors. After an explanation of reactions to stress and the relation to body awareness, the book highlights a variety of methods useful for coping with stress and focusing away from stress-producing patterns. These include breathing exercises, meditation, use of imagination, self-hypnosis, autogenic training, and thought stopping. Coping skills training to rehearse real-life events which may be stressful to the individual and assertiveness training, which teaches one to stand up for their legitimate rights, are exercises recommended as a means of reducing stress. Time management techniques are considered to assist the individual in facing and clarifying decisionmaking. The body's reaction to stress is discussed in terms of biofeedback, and instrumental process by which an individual gains awareness of bodily processes such as blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension. Nutrition and exercise as both preventive and effective controls to help the body cope with stress are emphasized. Personal preference and individuality are suggested as the guiding factors for developing methods for coping with stress.

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