Stress Response, Neurobiology

In the midst of daily stress and turmoil, this book exposes the power of our emotions to heal us—and offers new hope for reclaiming contentment, connection, and a greater sense of well-being.

This volume brings together basic research on the nature of stress reactivity with up-to-date research on the effectiveness and mechanisms of mindfulness interventions. The chapters review the major research areas that elucidate the impact of stress reactivity on health, and explore the mechanisms and effectiveness of mindfulness-based approaches for stress reduction and improved physical and emotional health.

Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Stress is an inherent aspect of life in the 21st-century world. Regardless of the cause, stress is bound to affect you at some point during your day or week. And stress can have tremendous negative effects on your mental and physical health. Most Western diseases that slowly get us sick—heart disease, diabetes, stroke—are worsened by stress. Chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis and depression often flare up during repeated instances of stress. This makes coping with stress a critical part of how well we live.
But take heart. Because once you understand the inner workings of our stress response system and its inextricable links to all aspects of your personal health, you’ll find yourself in possession of powerful knowledge that will help you understand and better deal with this common aspect of your busy life.