In The Stress Code: From Surviving to Thriving by Richard Sutton, you’ll find practical ways to help manage pressure and how they are beneficial for mental and physical health.

Sutton is a health and performance educator and consultant, and considered one of the foremost experts in his field.

‘What causes us to be stressed?’ Sutton asks. ‘Scientists did a series of studies on 30 000 people over 40 years and were able to discover the primary stress trigger in all of us! Drum roll … it is a lack of control.

‘Whenever we feel that things are chaotic and there is uncertainty, it puts our stress axis in overdrive and crashes our immune system.

‘With the Coronavirus creating so much uncertainty, it is accompanied by unprecedented levels of stress – no one is exempt.

‘What can we do to lessen the effects of uncertainty? According to researchers we need to reinforce control, authority and structure within our own lives.’

This means:

1. Making daily schedules and keeping to them
2. Maintaining structure in our wellness endeavours. Diet, exercise and taking time to invest in relationships
3. Participating where we can in the things and decisions that affect our lives
4. Up skill. Up skilling helps us feel that we are creating new opportunities for ourselves in an otherwise uncertain future

• Click here for Richard Sutton’s practical tips for managing stress and anxiety

Categories Non-fiction South Africa

Tags Pan Macmillan SA Richard Sutton The Stress Code