The Big Book of Stress Relief Games: Quick, Fun Activities for Feeling Better [Paperback]

Robert Epstein (Author)

Book Description

Series: Big Book Series | Publication Date: March 27, 2000

These quick games, exercises, and activities are designed to reduce stress wherever and whenever it strikes, in meetings, in front of the computer, or when dealing with difficult people. Psychology Today Editor-In-Chief Robert Epstein has created fifty 1-3 minute games based on STRESS-PROOFING, an original system derived from scientific research that makes stress reduction effortless and effective.

For everyone from deskbound office workers to managers in meetings, this is the latest addition to one of McGraw-Hill's best-selling book series:

• Helps alleviate high-pressure situations at home and at work.
• Includes comprehensive life-planning and life-organization activities.
• Requires less then 3 minutes to play most of the creative, relaxing games.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A research-proven, innovative, and fun approach to stress relief and relaxation

These quick games, exercises, and activities provide fast, fun stress relief wherever and whenever it strikes, during the morning commute, in front of the computer, or when dealing with difficult people. To make dealing with stress less stressful­­and more fun­­Psychology Today Editor-in-Chief Robert Epstein has created dozens of games that teach every major stress-management and relaxation technique validated by scientific research.

For everyone from deskbound, time pressed office workers to managers in important meetings­­even speakers addressing large audiences­­this creative collection of stress-relief games.

• Helps alleviate high-pressure situations at home and at work.
• Goes beyond relaxation exercises with stress-fighting life­­planning and life-organization activities.
• Can be used by individuals or groups.
• Includes 50 activities and techniques­­most requiring less than 5 minutes.

About the Author

Robert Epstein, Ph.D. is Editor-in-Chief of Psychology Today, host of the magazine's nationally-syndicated radio show, and University Research Professor at United States International University. Dr. Epstein holds a Ph.D. from Harvard and his research has been reported in Time, The New York Times, and Discover. His popular articles have appeared in The Washington Post and Reader's Digest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 203 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (March 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070218668
• ISBN-13: 978-0070218666
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not for any corporation I work for...., July 12, 2001

By 

Steve Brennan "carr1on" (Grapevine, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Big Book of Stress Relief Games: Quick, Fun Activities for Feeling Better (Paperback)

Perhaps I was looking for the wrong thing. I expected a book on how to relieve stress with quick little games to do at the beginning of a business meeting. Instead, the 'games' in this book sound more like therapy sessions. Most are meditation and message exercises.

One example: The Glittering Roof, where you have everyone close their eyes and you, the facilitator, read a 2.5 page verbal 'fantasy' in a calm and soothing voice to the group. At the end, everyone discusses how they felt. There are many exercises like this in the book.

Another example (my favorite): The Beastly Boss. Again you start the group off with breathing and imagery exercises. Then you pair everyone off. One person assumes the role of Beastly Boss. The other the role of Exemplary Employee. The Beastly Boss then 'acts insensitively' while the Exemplary Employee employs more breathing and imagery techniques to remain cool. Then they switch. Puh-leez! Can anyone think of a quicker way to be sent to a remote location than to try this on your co-workers?

This is not for corporate profesionals...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stress-management techniques...., September 1, 2001

By 

David Cohen - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Book of Stress Relief Games: Quick, Fun Activities for Feeling Better (Paperback)

Personally, I think this book is easy to read and understand. The games presented in the book are unique and simple to apply. Many companys and businesses experience stress daily. Therefore, this book provides numerous ways to help relieve stress in the workplace. I strongly recommend this book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite good, February 27, 2002

By 

Layla Halabi (Dubai - UAE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Big Book of Stress Relief Games: Quick, Fun Activities for Feeling Better (Paperback)

This is a collection of activities and exercises that you can use during training or meetings (or even alone) to reduce stress and make you more relaxed. Some of the activities are quite good especially the breathing exercises and the visualizations. However, there are quite a few activities that are quite ridiculous as well as others that are just not possible at work or in the training room.

For trainers, many activities are useful as icebreakers or as stress-reducers after a heated discussion. The reason I bought the book in the first place is because I could not find anything else in that category, so I guess there isn't really that much choice.