STRESSED OUT - Book Review

This is the book for you if you are feeling stressed. Hey, aren't we all? Stressed Out, by Max Sampson, is aptly sub-titled, 13 Powerful Methods to Stop Stress, Recognize Triggers, Curb Toxic Overthinking, and Manage Anxiety. Stress can be a killer, leading to high blood pressure, mental anxieties, and possibly drug and alcohol abuse. Sampson is an inspirational author who triumphed over personal and professional challenges. Through his empowering techniques in “Stressed Out,” he equips readers with the tools to conquer their own obstacles.

The author explains that stress is the body's response to some or many lifestyle predicaments. Dealing with changes, feeling tired, and feeling that there is no time to accomplish goals, personal conflicts, and other emotional challenges can cause feelings of stress. Anxiety, nervousness, and worry can be symptoms.

Sampson details how stress can affect your life, from burnout to physical illness. He explains some of the triggers for stress, the thoughts and emotions that can intensify stressful situations, and how to accept adversity and uncertainty in a healthy manner.  He lists helpful de-stressors that the reader can try in achievable increments of easy steps.

He suggests ten ways to stop overthinking problems and how to eliminate toxic thoughts. The reader is also given suggestions for managing time and avoiding dreaded deadlines. A checklist is presented to aid the reader in staying organized: daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. Self-care is of utmost importance and is emphasized throughout the book.

Journaling prompts at the end of every chapter help the reader figure out his stressor factors. Writing down problems and looking for solutions bring a sense of control and can help find solutions. Prompts help the reader focus on solutions.

The author presents twenty suggestions for calming down when stress strikes and proposes ways to let go of worries. Sampson asserts that journaling is an incredibly potent tool for combating stress and anxiety.

He also suggests that creating art can help regulate negative emotions. From random scribbling and sketching to coloring in pre-designed books, engaging in these motor skills can help release tension and improve focus.

The author explores the world of remote work and discusses the impact technology has on stress. In this insightful piece, the author presents a multitude of techniques to help readers identify stressors, effective methods to alleviate stress, and empowering strategies to seize control of their future.

Also, very helpful in this modern world is Max Sampson's book, Sick and Tired.