101 Ways to Find Calm: How to use your body to soothe your mind

by Rebekah Ballagh

Simple, powerful tools for everyday resilience from Rebekah Ballagh, bestselling author of Note to Self.Scientifically backed methods, with influences from somatic therapy practices, polyvagal exercises, mindfulness, breath work, meditation and yin yoga. Learn how to safely feel and process your emotions, how to rewire your brain and nervous system, and how to deeply connect with yourself.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help

240 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Rebekah Ballagh is a talented illustrator as well as being a passionate and dynamic mental health counsellor. She created the hugely popular Instagram community Journey to Wellness as a platform for wellbeing, mental health advocacy and self-care. Join her @journey_to_wellness_.

Reviews

[Nats Lakkatham · Rating 3 out of 5]

- เป็น how to ที่มีภาพประกอบแบบง่าย ๆ ให้ลองทำตามดู
- หนังสือมีช่องว่าง มีวรรคให้เติมเองด้วย แต่เราอ่านแล้วรู้สึกว่ามันขาด มันไม่เต็ม
- เนื้อหาเบาจนคิดว่ามันก็เป็นเรื่องปกติของคนที่กาความหมายของชีวิตอยู่ประจำ
- มันเป็นอะไรที่ทั่วไปมากๆ ไม่ได้เป็นเคล็ดลับที่ไม่เคยรู้ ไม่ได้เป็นศาสตร์สมัยใหม่ หรือใดใด
- เอาไว้อ่านยามเดินทาง นั่งพัก สบายๆ

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

101 Ways to Find Calm is an unconventional self-help book that features different ways of calming your body down, whether through mental or physical actions.

First, this book has the most beautiful and serene illustrations. What an amazing job by the author! I think I felt calmer just by looking at the adorable cartoons. Her drawings have the most wonderful style. Five stars for the illustrations alone!

I picked this book up from my local library on a whim as I was going through a very stressful and anxious period of my life. It was definitely very different from my usual fictional escapism, and also from the usual self-help nonfiction book (think Atomic Habits). Pleasantly, I found the book very applicable to my life, while also being a delightful, fun experience. A lot of the techniques mentioned in this book were pretty easy to apply, and I found myself following along some of them as I was reading. Surprisingly, while attempting them I could physically feel that my body was relaxing and calming down. At the end of the book, I had a strong urge to purchase it, just so I can have it handy by my side whenever I have a bout of stress.

I only took off 2 stars because it was a bit repetitive and some techniques felt a bit too "common-sense". A lovely experience nonetheless.

[Ronald Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book itself is calming. It should have been added as one of the 101 ways, rather than repeating the same concept using different body parts, descriptive words, or different contexts.

This book is not an encyclopedia for understanding what, why, when, how, and who for calming. It’s simply a how-to book to find techniques that promote calmness, stillness, mindfulness, and promoting parasympathetic system activation.

Many points are often repeated, but at the same time, the aim of this book is not to utilize all 101 ways to calm, but rather to find the technique that works for you as an individual at that point in time. Sometimes, you can combine many techniques together—the world is your oyster.

If you want something simple to read about calm, this is the book for you. If you expect a scientific dissertation, look elsewhere—maybe PubMed

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone struggling with past trauma, anxiety or low mood. I recognised some of the tools but there were many more that I hadn't heard of before. The book also provides some real insight into why you're feeling the way you're feeling. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jahnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doable, practical, and straight to the point instructions. Cute illustrations, too.

[anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tips in this handy sized book you can dip in and out of. Sweet illustrations.

[Sharni Baayens · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it! really good for panic attacks and anxiety

[Chanel Chapters]

Very simple and cute - I think this would be great for kids.

[Bismah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good suggestions

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is helpful stuff. A few exercise resonated. Worth the read and have on hand for reference.

[Tobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, my copy has my favourite techniques tabbed and it sits next to my bed.

C - A - W 10 P - I - L 10 E 10

[Wendy de Pree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik ben fan van de boeken van deze auteur doordat ze op een eenvoudige manier met een mooie illustratie en weinig tekst gemakkelijke handvatten geeft voor een rustiger zenuwstelsel!