Minding the Body, Mending the Mind by Joan Borysenko

Reviewer: Fabriana Payne

Rating:

Website Reviewed: N/A

Minding the Body, Mending The Mind was originally released in book format in 1987. Written by Joan Borysenko, PhD, this book is all about overcoming sever anxiety, panic attacks and all the psychosomatic symptoms that go along. The fact that Dr. Borysenko is a PhD is only half the expertise of the book -- the other half is that she herself was a sufferer of acute anxiety, and this book is based on her journey back to good health.

The book was important when it initially came out, because over twenty years ago, there was little to no understanding of anxiety.  She herself states in the introduction that she was prescribed a medley of prescription drugs, but nothing helped until she discovered meditation.  She recounts that first experience as a life changing event.  As a result, she dedicated her career to learning more about the mind/body connection, and helping others to benefit from her experiences and insights.  Over two decades later, the messages of this book are as relevant as ever.  Minding the Body, Mending the Mind is now updated and revised, and it is available in paperback as well as on audio CD. 

BUY MINDING THE BODY, MENDING THE MIND BY JOAN BORYSENKO ON AUDIO CD FROM AMAZON -- CLICK HERE

Here's the table of content for Minding the Body, Mending the Mind:

The Science of Healing

Getting Back into Control

Breaking the Anxiety Cycle

Mindfulness and the Discovery of the Self

Mind Traps: Outwitting the Dirty Tricks Department of the Mind

Reframing and Creative Imagination

Healing the Emotions

Sam's Story

Epilogue - Putting it All Together

Additional Reading

Self Assessment

Throughout the book, Borysenko takes a solid medical approach to many concepts that anxiety suffers may already be familiar with.  But her work was originally ground breaking, and even today her medical approach combined with her focus on the mind/body connection, feel new and insightful.  In the book, she takes a multi-prong approach to -- in her words -- go from "worrier to warrior".  The topics she covers include:  meditation, physical activity,  mindfulness, journaling, reframing, affirmations, hypnosis, dreams, and more.

Minding the Body, Mending the Mind ends with a robust self assessment questionnaire.  This 14 page assessment is incredibly helpful in increasing your awareness of your current physical state.  It is also extremely useful for measuring progress.  Borysenko recommends that you take the self assessment before you begin to learn and use the self help tools. Then take it again as you begin to get better.  It is a great way to track progress toward your Quiet Mind.

BUY MINDING THE BODY, MENDING THE MIND BY JOAN BORYSENKO IN PAPERBACK FROM AMAZON -- CLICK HERE

 

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