Reviews MAY 2005, VOL 81, NO 5

This book is available from Kent State University Press, 307 Lowry Hall, Kent, OH 44242.

ELIZABETH BA'ITALORA RN, MSN, CNOR

LOUISIANA COLLEGE PINEVILLE, LA

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF NURSING

Eliminate Stress From Your Life

Forever: A Simple Program for Better Living

William Atkinson 2004, 1 7 1 pp

$12.95 softcover

The premise of this ambi- tiously titled book is decep- tively simple: there are no stressors. Stress is just a result of how a person perceives what is happening in his or her life.

The author provides a brief overview of stress as a multidimensional enemy and discusses the basic physiolog- ical effects of chronic stress. He categorizes stress by type, cause, and perception. The book begins with discussion of the stress personality. The level of stress a person expe- riences is determined by seven factors:

0 knowledge of the situation, 0 responsibility for the

0 conscientiousness, 0 caring and value regard-

ing the situation, 0 enjoyment, 0 control of the situation, and 0 competence combined with key personali- ty traits: 0 general life competence, 0 active courage, 0 passive courage,

situation,

affected by directions from the brain, is discussed as a form of relaxation.

focuses on rebuilding atti- tudes and perceptions about stress. The author suggests using affirmations as a way to change pessimism into opti- mism and encourages jour- naling as a therapeutic tool. A brief outline for a 100-day program allows readers to adopt these recommenda-

The remainder of this book

and relaxation. The author dis- cusses practical, simple strategies for obtain- ing restful sleep, good nutri- tion, and exercise. The use of chi gong, a traditional Eastern exercise, is promot- ed as a way to build bound- less internal energy. This chapter gives readers a basic understanding of the princi- ples of chi gong and may persuade readers to pursue additional information. Meditation, which is defined as getting quiet and allow- ing the mind to be less

author's occasional penchant for oversimplification, I was able to appreciate his con- cepts. I would recommend this book to any layperson or professional who is trying to gain a basic perspective on stress and learn ways it can be effectively reduced and possibly eliminated.

AMACOM, 1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

This book is available from

LINDA M. GOLOBICH RN

CHANDLER, ARIZ

AORN JOURNAL