Stress Relief: The Ultimate Teen Guide (It Happened to Me) - Hardcover

Powell, Mark

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810844338 ISBN 13: 9780810844339

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 2002

Synopsis

Many teenagers feel beleaguered in a world where they face increasingly high expectations but greater uncertainties at home, at school, and in the world at large. From fear-inducing infomercials about AIDS and the hazards of smoking, drugs, and drinking, to the War on Terrorism and the threat of biological warfare or worse, today's teens are dealing with adult issues and problems previous generations were not. With little power to control or affect outcomes, it's no wonder that stress and stress-related problems have become widespread among today's young people.

Mark Powell has written Stress Relief specifically to make eliminating stress an art form. Written in a style that appeals to a teen audience, this accessible volume is not about managing stress, but rather about preventing and avoiding it and eliminating the feelings it causes. This is a clear, grounded, and masterly guide, playful and energetic in its voice, yet, at the same time, challenging and inspiring. This book is packed with insightful thoughts, ideas, and techniques like breathing exercises, meditation, affirmation and creative visualization, and tips on herbs and bodywork. It empowers teens by giving them control over their lives.

About this title

About the Author

Mark Powell is a Physical Education Teacher at City of Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also a certified Rolfer, Nutritional Consultant, and Spiritual Practitioner.

Reviews

Grade 7 Up-Powell's first-person, informal text includes both immediate and long-term recommendations for managing the stress of everyday life. He presents different scenarios and situations and offers viable options. Recommendations include relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and diet suggestions. The book also touches on meditation, spirituality, and 12-step programs. Sidebars provide quotes and excerpts from books, facts, checklists, information on Zen Buddhism, and more. At times, the book jumps from one subject to another, which some readers may find confusing. However, many will find the mix of text blocks, line drawings, black-and-white photos, and varying typeface appealing. Teens interested in New Age topics and materials will particularly appreciate this volume.
Nicole M. Marcuccilli, Glenview Public Library, IL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reviewed with Kathlyn Gay and Sean McGarrahan's Epilepsy.

Gr. 7-12. These books in the Ultimate Teen Guide series deal with issues related to health and contentment. Insightful and informative, Stress Relief examines the causes of stress most likely to affect teens--dating, homework, tests, relationships with peers and parents, working a part-time job--explaining how teens can recognize and cope with everyday stresses through such methods as meditation and creative visualization. Except for occasional instances when the author's earnest desire to sound hip comes off as corny or phony, the informal, conversational style generally works well, and the book is filled with accessible and practical information. Epilepsy, which emphasizes that with proper management, teens with epilepsy live perfectly normal lives, is equally informative and better written. Coauthor McGarrahan, who was diagnosed with epilepsy in his teens, offers personal insight, and there's some interesting historical background that deflates many myths related to the illness. Photographs, charts, and sidebars are effectively used in both books; chapter notes, a glossary, and Web sites are appended. Good choices for both public and school collections. Ed Sullivan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0810844338
• ISBN 13: 9780810844339
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 112