Stress, Emotions and Health - The Manual for Integrative Professionals

Stress and emotions are two central elements of human life and experience. They are the two main mechanisms by which we adapt to the world, manage dangers, overcome daily challenges and face the great challenges that we are passionate about. They are also at the heart of our motivations and relationships. Unfortunately, they are also the same mechanisms through which, more often than one thinks, the processes that lead to the development of various types of diseases and dysfunctions begin. In fact, stress and emotional responses are complex phenomena, involving all mind-body aspects. In this text we analyse all the systems involved in a structured, scientific and practical way: the most sophisticated interactions between posture, emotions and the immune system; the links between the language with which we think and the ability to make accurate predictions on the effectiveness of our behaviour; the brain networks that regulate the management of dangers in relation to states of uncertainty and self-image; the lesser-known physical mechanisms that significantly regulate stress responses; the energy metabolism of each cell, affected by nutrition and physical activity, which affects mood and vitality; and numerous other topics and application areas. This book is a practical manual filled with clinical examples, more than 30 well-detailed techniques, various practical ideas and numerous application tips. It contains more than 80 colour images, including explanatory illustrations of concepts, application of practical techniques, summary diagrams of the main mechanisms analysed and photographs showing the changes that can be achieved through specific exercises.