Conscious Calm: Keys to Freedom from Stress and Worry

Unlike many self-help titles on the market, clinical psychologist Maciuika's useful guide to stress-free living does not offer a grab bag of tips, tricks, tools, journal pages, questionnaires, and quizzes. Rather, she uses crystal-clear language to describe a few core concepts and basic practices. In 12 short chapters, she reinforces the simplicity and practicality of her methods, which aim to redirect mental, emotional, and physical energies from external events and circumstances to internal experiences by cultivating attention and awareness of the body. For example, to shut down what she calls "motor mind"%E2%80%94a replay of negative thoughts and self-dramatizing stories%E2%80%94she suggests shifting from nonstop "doing" by taking frequent "being breaks." Among the activities she prescribes for such breaks are scanning the body for physical sensations, deep breathing, physical exercise, listening to music, spending time in nature, and cooking. A primary feature of her program is the Emotional Freedom Technique developed by Gary Craig. EFT professionals believe that tapping energy meridians in the body while focusing on areas of tension releases energy blockages and clears "static" arising from past emotions. Each chapter ends with an exercise to help readers recognize negative patterns and choose calming ones instead. With stress levels spiking everywhere, this refreshingly accessible DIY plan produces results and will not add to overwhelming to-do lists.