Help in a Hurry by Dr Caroline Leaf Book Review

About the Book:

Learn how to manage your anxiety and find peace with:

· Evidence-based strategies to fight feelings of overwhelm and cope in the moment
· Actionable ways to experience a better, more fulfilled life
· Tips from expert and bestselling author Dr. Caroline Leaf

Even though it's uncomfortable and sometimes even distressing to us, it's perfectly normal to feel lost, anxious, or overwhelmed at times. It's okay to be a bit of a mess! But none of us wants to stay that way for long.

With actionable, evidence-based strategies to handle our most common challenges in life, this practical guide from bestselling author and clinical neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf offers the tools you need to prevent a descent into chaos and instead find peace and strength amid the turmoil of daily life.

If you have felt stuck in crisis mode, the strategies found in this book will help you cope in the moment, manage a chaotic mind, and start living each day with intention and inner peace.

My Review:

I think I have read every book Dr. Leaf has written and I continue to be impressed with her knowledge and practical suggestions toward mental well being. Many of her books give a good deal of information on her clinical studies and results. Some might find those books a bit overwhelming.

This book is more concise with quick help, providing strategies for immediate aid when one might feel one's head is going to explode. The strategies are not knew as I have read them in earlier books but they are presented in a most accessible way here. Chapter titles help readers quickly find the strategy they need.

Some of her insights I particularly like include her ideas on dealing with critical self talk, how deep thinking is necessary and how it differs from worry. As an avid reader, I was happy to see her write the role of reading is “...a fast and efficient way to turbo-boost the brain's ability to change and heal...” (50) I like how she explained the difference between rest and restoration when dealing with feeling tired. Her strategy for dealing with intrusive thoughts is great.

She reminds us we are with our minds 24/7, unlike our time with a therapist or our best friend. We need to learn to deal with our mental wellness ourselves. She also reminds us it is okay to struggle, to not be okay. That is part of being human. She encourages us to be patient and kind to ourselves.

“Maintaining a sense of peace when the world feels like it is falling apart around us is truly one of the most incredible skills we can develop as human beings...” (202)

I highly recommend this book to those who desire to have peace when facing anxiety, worry and feeling overwhelmed. You will find good help here.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

About the Author:

Dr. Caroline Leaf is a communication pathologist and clinical neuroscientist whose passion is to help people see the power of the mind to change the brain and find their purpose in life. She is the USA Today bestselling author of Switch On Your Brain, Think and Eat Yourself Smart, The Perfect You, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, and How to Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess, among many other books and journal articles, and her videos, podcasts, and TV episodes have reached millions globally. She currently teaches at various academic, medical, and neuroscience conferences, as well as in churches around the world.

Baker Books, 240 pages.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)