Congratulations Alex Korb, you have a book that is accessible to my 11 year old, and I mean that as a good thing. So, I saw a news article on this book recently that had some snippets of advice from the author, which I had agreed with, and so I checked it out from the library to peruse it before deciding to purchase it because I have been hunting for something credible for her that would not be too esoteric or sleep inducing, because we've been having a tough month with pets and people passing away. And because she's a tween and I'm her mom, I'm loosing IQ points by the day and nothing I recommend in terms of nurturing self care activities and tips is worth listening to. But you, Dr. Korb, are one smart dude and I think she's more willing to give you the time of day. Even though we say pretty much the same thing, just without describing brain anatomy at the same time ;)
So overall, I actually really thought this was a well done book. It is solidly written in an engaging, conversational manner, which is what makes it feel more accessible I think. The author does frequently refer to different structures in the brain, but he also provides a couple of diagrams to show you the location of what he is talking about. All of the self-help techniques mentioned are backed by research. It is true that probably you as a reader may have heard many of these things before, but you may be like some people I know and not so interested in trying them unless you understand that they have been studied and proven effective for improving symptoms of sadness or depression, and this book does a good job of backing up the methods. The author also steers entirely clear of spiritual or religious matters, which I also tend to think could be a benefit. I am a deeply spiritual person myself, but not everybody is and I think the neutrality in that matter makes it accessible to a wider range of people.
This book does not really go much into thought or behavioral modification therapies (though arguably the sections on focusing on more positive memories and gratitude certainly overlap), but I tend to think often without some of the other lifestyle supports that encourage optimal hormone levels included in this book, those methods alone aren't going to present as much of an improvement, and they are involved enough that it is appropriate to mention them only and direct someone to seek further for more detailed information elsewhere.
The only think that had me quirking an eyebrow on this book was the brief dip into chaos theory in the introduction, where the author likened the methods in this book to the beating of a butterfly's wings in LA breaking up a storm in New York. I'm going to be up front and say chaos theory isn't something I am very well versed in, while I am capable of going all sciency on someone, my happy place actually tends to be the arts. However, I have read enough to know that there are thinkers of the opinion that there are so many different systems acting upon one another when it comes to butterflies and the weather that it would actually be difficult to demonstrate a relationship in real world conditions between any one butterfly and any one meteorological event.
However, I think relationships between the methods described in this book and positive outcomes can be more strongly demonstrated, as the author has done throughout the book. My only reason for mentioning this is that the reference occurs in the beginning of the book, and I offer it as a word of encouragement to anyone who might read the butterfly sentence and either think it didn't make sense or that it was nonsensical and that therefore the rest of the book would be as well. There is actually a mathematical theory the statement is based on, so I can kind of see the point he was trying to make with it about how small changes in your routines can lead to big effects, but...I personally think an oft used analogy about a very small turning of the helm in a ship leading to a totally different destination might have been something easier related to by many, and I think that's pretty much what he was trying to say with that whole butterfly thing.
Overall though, I think this is a well done book, one I believe in enough to provide to my daughter for reading, and on a personal note, I totally endorse and use many of the techniques the author mentions and have for years and have found that they can help get me through some of the of the more difficult things life can offer.
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Popular Highlights in this book
Putting emotions into words—however hokey that sounds—actually rewires your brain circuits and makes you feel better.Highlighted by 2,524 Kindle readers- In essence, worrying is thinking about a potential problem, and anxiety is feeling it.Highlighted by 2,364 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher
From the Book: The 'Feeling' Brain
In contrast to the highly evolved prefrontal cortex, the limbic system is an ancient collection of structures located much deeper in the brain (even early mammals one hundred million years ago had limbic systems). The limbic system is the emotional part of the brain and is responsible for things like excitement, fear, anxiety, memory, and desire. It is primarily composed of four regions: the hypothalamus, the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the cingulate cortex. The hypothalamus controls stress. The amygdala is the key to reducing anxiety, fear, and other negative emotions. The hippocampus is responsible for creating long-term memories, and because its neurons are very sensitive to stress, it often acts as the canary in the coal mine of depression. Lastly, the cingulate cortex controls focus and attention, which is of huge importance in depression, because what you focus on, whether by automatic habit or willful choice, makes a huge difference to your mood.
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Practical and easy read
Fascinating book with practical approach. Excellent!!! Love the two sections “Down Spiral” and Upward Spiral.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
Fascinating book with practical approach. Excellent!!! Love the two sections “Down Spiral” and Upward Spiral.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2019
Top reviews from other countries
Ekaterina
Great self-help book
Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2023
Ekaterina
Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2023
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Maria
Great practical advise everyone should know
Reviewed in France on November 21, 2022
