Resilience: Handling Anxiety in a Time of Crisis

by George Hofmann

It's a challenging time for people who experience anxiety, and even people who usually don't experience it are finding their moods are getting the better of them. Anxiety hits hard and its symptoms are unmistakable, but sometimes in the rush and confusion of uncertainty we miss those symptoms until it's too late. When things seem to be coming undone, it's still possible to recognize the onset of anxiety and act to prevent the worst of it. George Hofmann takes a unique approach to developing better awareness of the body and how to head off disabling angst-filled episodes. Hofmann has used these techniques to successfully overcome crippling mood swings himself and has successfully taught these techniques to countless others, who have found them beneficial in their own lives. The "Resilience Series" is the result of an intensive, collaborative effort of our authors in response to the 2020 coronavirus epidemic. Each volume offers expert advice for developing the practical, emotional and spiritual skills that you can master to become more resilient in a time of crisis.

88 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2020

Reviews

[Marc Balcer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an early copy of this book from a friend. Hofmann has delivered a work whose wisdom literally jumps off the page and directly into the heart. Drawing on his own experience with anxiety, he offers strategies to "get out of heads and into our bodies." These practices can help us identify anxiety rising before it leads us to bad decisions, procrastination or perfectionism. While reminding us that anxiety is normal and universal, Hofmann walks us through the science and uses storytelling to apply it to this challenging time. I particularly related to Chapter 6, "The Path Within", which helped me identify my own attachment to my anxiety and beliefs that keep me stuck in a small sense of self. Strongly recommended. A very quick read which I read from cover to cover.

[Tim Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

In normal times, some people suffer from chronic anxiety. Most of us don't. I ran into the startling statistic recently that during the early months of the pandemic some 30% of Americans could be classified as having an anxiety disorder. That makes perfect sense - but the truth is, most of us have no way to cope, because we haven't had to learn. And, who is going to start seeing a therapist while there's an infectious disease outbreak? So, this book is the place to turn...because it's written by a man who has walked the difficult walk of chronic anxiety in good times, and so he's learned techniques to help stabilise his moods, to predict when an attack is coming and how to prevent it. For anyone experiencing difficult levels of anxiety - as I sure have this past few months - you will find this book can help you through. Best of all, the author shows us how to see ourselves and our world not through the distorted lens of acute anxiety, but a we really are.

[John Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Hoffman’s books, Handling Anxiety in a Time of Crisis, is a primer for understanding and managing anxiety, negative thoughts, and social isolation. Focusing on movement, meditation, and meaningful work, his explanations are down-to-Earth, practical, and hopeful. George also takes the reader into his own life, candidly describing his struggles with anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. His personal vulnerability is refreshing, easy to identify with, and comforting, reminding us that we’re not alone in this all-too-human experience. As a clinical psychologist, I would recommend this book to anyone wrestling with the extra stresses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. You will find a good friend here with lots of good advice.

[Carlos Valdes-Dapena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anxiety is a big topic, the subject of who knows how many academic papers, lifestyle magazine articles and pop psychologists on TV. This little book can do more for us than any of those. George Hofmann’s insights are lived and genuine. No complex theory here or claims of instant cures. Just straight-up clarity about how to think about and work with anxiety. He has managed to make this book both practical and inspiring. In his chapter on community he says, “Coping with anxiety is an inclusive practice. Hope is other people. ” So simple, so true. He never claims any of what he offers will be easy to do or accept. He simply makes it available to us to do with what we will in a tone that is encouraging and hopeful without being saccharine.

[Gleb Tsipursky · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who regularly suffers from anxiety, the pandemic has been a tough time. There's a lot more opportunity for anxiety-inducing experiences, and more temptation to take unhealthy steps to deal with them. This book helps both improve the ability to notice symptoms of anxiety in a timely manner - before the unhealthy steps - and also provides guidance on dealing with anxiety in a healthy way. If you suffer from anxiety, whether regularly or in the context of the pandemic, this book is a must-read!

[Hailey Mul · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly I did not finish this book. Yes it is very short and a quick read, but about halfway through it just started dripping with privilege and I could not finish. Maybe this will be very useful to some. But the author assumes that the reader is in a place of privilege. That they have internet access, and homes, and people in their lives that love and care about them. So many people have anxiety during this time of crisis, not everyone has the privileges that are regularly discussed in this book that would help with said anxiety.

[Linda Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind. Steady. Thoughtful. And beautifully written.