The Art of Taking It Easy

“King's particular approach is original and refreshing. He combines a winning balance of accessible science, engaging stories, and comic relief to drive home a compelling message.”
—Shelf Awareness

“Psychologist and comedian King (The Laughing Cure) explores the science behind stress in this witty, informed guide. The author uses a bevy of running jokes and punch lines to enliven technical explanations for how and why people experience stress. His metaphors of coming across a bear in the wild as well as being stuck in traffic are also used to great effect to explain a variety of stress responses, such as perceiving a threat and feelings of powerlessness. Reframing thoughts plays a large role in King’s advice: ‘Stress is simply a reaction to a perception of threat...being able to consciously redirect choices made by other areas of the brain is the key to living a less stressful existence.’  He also provides breathing exercises, plans for maintaining physical health, and useful advice for setting attainable goals. An interview with a former paratrooper and a harrowing story centered on his brother’s van breaking down while traveling provide particularly helpful examples of how one’s mindset can make all the difference in a highly stressful situation. King’s enjoyable guide to living with less stress will be of help to any anxious reader.”
—Publishers Weekly

Autorentext

Dr. Brian King trained as a neuroscientist and psychologist and for the past decade has traveled the world as a comedian and public speaker. By day he conducts seminars, presented nationwide and attended by thousands of people each year, on positive psychology, the health benefits of humor, and stress management. By night he practices what he teaches in comedy clubs. Dr. Brian began performing stand-up comedy in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2009, and has performed hundreds of shows around the world. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas, a master's degree from the University of New Orleans, and a PhD from Bowling Green State University, and is the author of The Laughing Cure. Dr. Brian hails from New York City and today spends his life on the road, traveling regularly with his partner, Sarah, and their young daughter.

Klappentext

"Dr. Brian King got a degree in psychology before becoming a world-touring comic and the host of humor therapy seminars attended by more than ten thousand people each year. In this brilliant guide he presents hands-on techniques for managing stress by rewiring our brains to approach potentially difficult situations through a lens of positivity. To do so, Dr. King explores what stress is, where it comes from, and what it does to our bodies and brains. He delves deep into how to address everyday stress--as well as anxiety, insecurities, repression, and negativity--and gives insight into resulting ailments such as anxiety disorders, depression, hypertension, obesity, substance abuse disorders, and more. Dr. King's techniques are chemical and cost free, and embrace humor, resilience, relaxation, optimism, gratitude, and acceptance. Instead of a dry medical approach to dealing with stress, this unique volume is filled with life-changing tips and instructions presented with humor and a wealth of memorable, smile-inducing anecdotes."--Provided by publisher.

Zusammenfassung

From a psychologist and stand-up comedian comes a practical, yet laugh-out-loud guide to embracing humor to reduce stress and live a happier, fuller life.

Dr. Brian King got a degree in psychology before becoming a world-touring comic and the host of humor therapy seminars attended by more than ten thousand people each year. In this brilliant guide he presents hands-on techniques for managing stress by rewiring our brains to approach potentially difficult situations through a lens of positivity. To do so, Dr. King explores what stress is, where it comes from, and what it does to our bodies and brains. He delves deep into how to address everyday stress—as well as anxiety, insecurities, repression, and negativity—and gives insight into resulting ailments such as anxiety disorders, depression, hypertension, obesity, substance abuse disorders, and more. Dr. King’s techniques are chemical and cost free, and embrace humor, resilience, relaxation, optimism, gratitude, and acceptance. Instead of a dry medical approach to dealing with stress, this unique volume is filled with life-changing tips and instructions presented with humor and a wealth of memorable, smile-inducing anecdotes.

Leseprobe

Are You Happy?

 

I hope so, I really do. And I’m not just saying that to get you on my side either; the happiness of other people has always been very important to me.

 

Comedians frequently open a joke by saying, “And now, a little about me,” so let me start by telling you a little about myself. As the book cover says, I am Dr. Brian King, although I really only use my title as a stage name. I am a pretty casual guy so I usually just go by Brian. Besides, I’ve never been comfortable calling myself “Dr. King”—that name has already been taken.[[1]](https://coresource.ingramcontent.com/ui/#_ftn1)

As a public speaker with a doctorate in psychology, I have been traveling the country teaching audiences about happiness, the benefits of humor, and how to manage stress for nearly a decade. These subjects are very interrelated, as managing stress is key to happiness, and humor contributes to them both. I've devoted a good chunk of my life to teaching people how to overcome stress and live happier lives. I also perform stand-up comedy, an art form with the sole purpose of making people happy. Comedians screw this up all the time, but at least that is the intent.

I seem to have an ability to present research-based information in a humorous context, and this has been the key to my success as a speaker, and now, an author. In 2016 I published a book, The Laughing Cure, all about the physical and emotional benefits of humor and laughter, which has been met with positive reviews and, I am told, has helped at least a few people become happier.

 

 

When I look back on my life, of course I see things that I could have done differently, but I was always concerned about the happiness of others. In high school I was part of a peer counseling program, based on the idea that a troubled student would prefer talking to another student rather than an adult in a position of authority.[[2]](https://coresource.ingramcontent.com/ui/#_ftn2) In college, I volunteered with an organization that helped organize and train a new generation of those student mentors. I also volunteered my time to a few charities, and worked in a home for emotionally disturbed children. When I became a public speaker, I took the opportunity to pursue something I had been interested in all my life.

So yes, I am interested in your happiness.

I realize that in choosing to pick up this book, there is a chance that happiness is something you may be struggling with. Maybe you are coping with some terrible circumstances or wrestling with anxiety and depression. After all, these are our most common mental disorders.[[3]](https://coresource.ingramcontent.com/ui/#_ftn3) Perhaps you are looking for answers, hoping that somehow these pages may contain that magical key to overcoming whatever you are dealing with. If this is the case, I don’t want to discourage you from reading further, but I don’t think any book has all the answers. (Unless you are looking up a phone number, in which case I know a great book for that. And what is it, 1997 where you live?)

Certainly reading a book is no substitute for professional help, but you may find some value in what I have …