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A review by piabo
Widen the Window: Training your brain and body to thrive during stress and recover from trauma by Elizabeth A. Stanley
5.0
+++ 2024 Review +++
This time around I wanted to take my time reading, and I did. After two months I am finally done.
I still really liked it! I think especially the first part was very interesting to me now with scientific background on the nervous system and the different kind of stress responses. The author does a great job giving different perspectives on the stress cycles and what can lead it to being activated or not finished. The perspective goes from full on big T Trauma to daily stress. It really made me feel seen and validated in all different kind of experiences.
Yes, the author is no PhD in psychiatry or similar, still I think she has a scientist mind and a good approach in general. Be critical when reading this, look my review below. But I stand by my choice of the 5 stars, it is still the only book I found that combines the scientific insights with actionable advice.
+++2022 Review +++
I am so glad I finally found this book. I have been looking for information on how to take care of my mental health for some time, but most books are super specific on trauma or other kind of diagnosis I do not have.
"Widen the Window" is for everyone who habitually pushes themselves to finish a task, reach a goal, or live through particular social situations. And so much more!
Only after reading this book, can I finally acknowledge that what I experience is stress and that things have to change in order for me to feel better and get out of the hole I am currently in.
Elizabeth Stanley does a great mix of personal anecdotes and scientifically proven strategies. It was therefore easier to connect to the things she says and find strategies to apply them to my own life.
I honestly wish I could just summarize this entire book here. Or lecture everyone I meet (and especially those I care about) about the principles or self-care and resilience building mentioned in this book.
My attempt to summarize:
It is okay to feel overwhelmed! It is not possible to think your way out of feeling stress. Your body experiences it and there are techniques to finish the stress cycle and relax, we just don't learn about much of this in school.
Sleep 8+ hours a day, exercise for 150+ minutes a week, eat well, engage in mindful activities, have healthy relationships.
Please do this AND read the book.
Thanks.
Of course, this book is not perfect. I am giving it 5 stars right now because so much was so good and new to me. But it is important that people read other books in addition to this (and seek therapy if things don't feel right!)
A great comment and additional resources are in this Goodreads thread: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4016438746
This time around I wanted to take my time reading, and I did. After two months I am finally done.
I still really liked it! I think especially the first part was very interesting to me now with scientific background on the nervous system and the different kind of stress responses. The author does a great job giving different perspectives on the stress cycles and what can lead it to being activated or not finished. The perspective goes from full on big T Trauma to daily stress. It really made me feel seen and validated in all different kind of experiences.
Yes, the author is no PhD in psychiatry or similar, still I think she has a scientist mind and a good approach in general. Be critical when reading this, look my review below. But I stand by my choice of the 5 stars, it is still the only book I found that combines the scientific insights with actionable advice.
+++2022 Review +++
I am so glad I finally found this book. I have been looking for information on how to take care of my mental health for some time, but most books are super specific on trauma or other kind of diagnosis I do not have.
"Widen the Window" is for everyone who habitually pushes themselves to finish a task, reach a goal, or live through particular social situations. And so much more!
Only after reading this book, can I finally acknowledge that what I experience is stress and that things have to change in order for me to feel better and get out of the hole I am currently in.
Elizabeth Stanley does a great mix of personal anecdotes and scientifically proven strategies. It was therefore easier to connect to the things she says and find strategies to apply them to my own life.
I honestly wish I could just summarize this entire book here. Or lecture everyone I meet (and especially those I care about) about the principles or self-care and resilience building mentioned in this book.
My attempt to summarize:
It is okay to feel overwhelmed! It is not possible to think your way out of feeling stress. Your body experiences it and there are techniques to finish the stress cycle and relax, we just don't learn about much of this in school.
Sleep 8+ hours a day, exercise for 150+ minutes a week, eat well, engage in mindful activities, have healthy relationships.
Please do this AND read the book.
Thanks.
Of course, this book is not perfect. I am giving it 5 stars right now because so much was so good and new to me. But it is important that people read other books in addition to this (and seek therapy if things don't feel right!)
A great comment and additional resources are in this Goodreads thread: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4016438746