STRESS LESS

Explores the myriad factors that lead to teen stress and offers solid strategies for coping with it.

Two opening chapters describe in physiological, mental, and emotional terms what stress is, its causes, and some coping mechanisms that can combat it. Charts and tables break down levels of stress, coping skills, and physiological symptoms. Subsequent chapters go even further in identifying different kinds of stress and their causes as well as providing solutions, which psychologist Tompkins calls Stress Hacks and that are included as boxed sidebars. These subcategories of stress include ones related to school and work, performance and tests, family and friends, dating and relationships, media and technology, and health and hormones. Quandaries and quotes from teens are peppered throughout. Each chapter ends with concise takeaways summarizing the most significant points. While Tompkins’ treatment is certainly comprehensive, it can also feel repetitive and verbose. The narrative tone ricochets from formal to colloquial, favoring the former. The author often uses a lengthy paragraph to explain what could be expressed in a single sentence. Still, though the book ultimately feels more like a reference book than a self-help guide, teens can find what they need in the numerous sidebars, charts, and bullet points. The backmatter begins with a very helpful chart identifying exercises targeted to alleviating specific stresses by page number.

A dense but all-inclusive treatment of stress, with reader-friendly tips, tables, and checklists.