Customer Reviews

The Origin of Everyday Moods: Managing Energy, Tension, and Stress

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Robert Thayer's book has enlightened me to the one area I have never understood, good and bad feelings. He explains how two things, Tension, and Energy, result in you're being upset, happy, content, crabby, and depressed. Read how you can change your moods by having an awareness of how high tension and low energy levels affect you. One of the best books I've every read that has changed my life for all time!

I just couldn`t stop reading once I got started. Thayer`s concept of how and why moods occur is not only easy to understand but also absolutely plausible. So much so that I've tried out a few things and found they work. It doesn`t mean that I go on 5-minute brisk walks every time I feel low, but since now I know (most of the times) where that feeling comes from it seems a lot less disturbing.

If you dig hard, you can discover in this book that of the dozens of things people do to boost their energy, only four actually work (exercise, music, chores, social interaction). Similarly hidden in this book are four things that create a mood of calmness (meditation, yoga, massage, hot baths). The book would score an easy 10 if its factual message weren't randomly hidden in obscure sentences. The chapter headings, diagrams, and tables waste the reader's attention on speculative but wrong information. If Thayer writes a clear book, I'll buy dozens of copies and give it to all my friends

For the sophisticated reader, this book has everything -- a compelling theory of why moods are the way they are, and the best way of managing them, coupled with complete scientific references, and good writing

What a fascinating and insightful book! As others have said, Dr. Thayer repeats much information, but this makes each chapter readable by itself without having to read previous chapters: something that will come in handy when I pull it from my bookshelf in the future as I know I will. Part one expounds on his theory of mood which considers it an interplay of energy and tension. The rest of the book elaborates the theoretical underpinnings with a focus on practical applications, or "self-regulation of moods" as he calls it.

The content is somewhere in the borderland of both popular and professional, or scientific material. Chapter 8 "The Physiology and Anatomy of Mood" forms an essential part of the book, but might go over the head of much of the audience with its jargon which mysteriously is only found in that chapter.

Likewise chapter 17 deals with systematic self-observation of mood which goes overboard in scientific rigor expected of the reader who should assemble data charts and carry out self-experiments. This seems odd especially in light of how Dr. Thayer protests against exercise "purists" who expect exercisers to drill according to taxing procedures instead of setting their own comfortable pace for the joy of exercise and its enhancement of mood. After all, less strenuous accumulated exercise over a lifetime is better than none because a person feels compelled to give up what are the "purists" expectations.

Something that might better inform the theory of mood would be the inclusion of evolutionary psychology findings. For example, he speculates about what some call "retail therapy" of women and neglects that for most of human history men were hunters and women were gatherers. The shopping bug of women is probably a browsing activity carried over from searching for say, tubers or berries. Evolutionary theory also explains why women are collectively more verbal and social than men. Women formed social networks for survival back at the camp while the men were stalking animals.

On the issue of diet, Dr. Thayer might have profited from knowledge of up-to-date knowledge about glycemic index and load and how to advise people to use them to maximize an energetic diet. Also, he seems somewhat unfair on the matter of caffeine. True, it's misuse contributes to what he calls the tense-tiredness mood. However, as Bennett Weinburg points out in The Caffeine Advantage, and backed up by studies, as little as 100mg (half a mug of coffee) is enough to produce a calm and energetic mood without need to increase dosage. That could help through those afternoon slumps in mood. According to Weinburg, caffeine is the only substance allowed by the FDA to claim that it helps mental alertness.

I enthusiastically recommend The Origin of Everyday Moods which makes the esoteric subject of mood clearer and easier to understand.

This book was written to appeal to the masses. It is a very easy to read book and can be understood. It covers Thayer's explanation of how to regulate moods in a positive way as well as his theory of everyday moods and mood regulation.

This book is written by one of the foremost experts in the area of the study and theory of moods. Dr. Thayer's pioneering research in this area extends over a period of two decades. The book itself offers a scientific understanding of mood and arousal. It is rich in ideas as well as practical approaches to mood self regulation. In particular it presents a sophisicated but understandable theory of moods. The practical side of the book and one that appeals most to the average individual involves a framework, based on empirical research, on how to manage one's moods in order increase personal energy and calmness. This book contains very useful activities to assist in mood self regulation and self understanding.

This book offers a comprehensive review of various antecedents of everyday moods and provides useful information to modify the effects of negative mood states. Reading this book has helped me to understand the relationship between my behavior and my moods, and has given me the knowledge to improve the quality of my relationships with others.

READ THIS BOOK ! The author presents an original theory of mood regulation which proves to be both practical and useful. It includes a comprehensive review of leading scientific research. Through systematic observation and a few simple techniques taught in the book, I have learned to increase my energy, reduce anxiety, and manage stress more effectively. DON"T MISS OUT !!

This is an informative, easy to read book about what causes our moods and how to change them. It is fully referenced and scientifically valid--an unusual find!