Stress. It’s unavoidable today, it seems. High-intensity workplaces. Nonstop at-home demands. Traffic that follows you wherever you go. Stress is near impossible to avoid, and whether we acknowledge it or not, it’s definitely taking a toll on our productivity and well-being. But is that spinach salad at lunch really helping to reinvigorate you at halftime? Is the yoga class on the way to work truly decreasing your mental workload throughout the day? Or do all these stress-reduction techniques we utilize to help us persevere through the day just become one more thing to do?In Stress Less. Achieve More. executive coach and psychotherapist Aimee Bernstein offers a more effective and realistic approach: Don’t try to numb yourself from the pressure or run from it. Embrace it! See it as an energy source that you can tap into in order to accomplish more while feeling calm and centered. Part training manual, part spiritual guide, this must-have book for the stressed individual uncovers a total mental/physical/emotional formula to: • Stop reacting defensively• Retrain natural responses to stress triggers• Resolve conflicts harmoniously• Energize fatigued teammates• Relax in difficult situations• And moreWhen we swim against the stream of stress, we’ll drown in its relentless current every time. But when we learn how to turn stress into an ally, we can thrive under even the most demanding circumstances. With the tips, techniques, and exercises in Stress Less. Achieve More. the overwhelmed will finally find the relief they’ve been searching for. "Anyone adept in yoga, aikido, and, indeed, in any of the awareness disciplines will find her narrative reassuring and reinforcing." -- Booklist Pressure. You’re surrounded by it. From bosses, colleagues, and customers; from family and friends; from the daily demands of work, home, and life; and don’t forget the pressure you put on yourself. A reality of everyday life, pressure can’t realistically be eliminated altogether. But the good news is that you can succeed under all kinds of pressure—if you develop the skills and mindset to handle it better, and even to turn it into an ally. Stress Less. Achieve More. is your guide to higher performance in every facet of your work and life. This book will fundamentally change the way you perceive and react to stressful circumstances, from sudden events to ongoing situations. You’ll learn about your own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual responses to stress and how to develop a new, more constructive relationship with pressure. Author Aimee Bernstein reveals how to: • Stop reacting defensively—and take back your power • Deal with demanding bosses and co-workers without getting down • Control your temper and stay calm—even if you’re surrounded by triggers • Create reasonable boundaries that give you more control of your time and energy • Resolve conflicts among others, and help your team de-stress Stress Less. Achieve More. equips you with timeless mind-body practices to keep you grounded and centered, and to increase your energy to accept opportunities, embrace the challenges that come with them, and do outstanding things! Aimee Bernstein is President of Open Mind Adventures, a Southeast Florida—based coaching, consulting, and training company whose clients have included Dolce & Gabbana, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and The Port of Singapore Authority. She is also a licensed psychotherapist with 35 years of experience helping clients integrate the mind, body, and spirit toward more empowerment, success, and fulfillment in both business and everyday life. Visit her at: stresslessachievemore.com AIMEE BERNSTEIN, president of Open Mind Adventures, is a change accelerator and coach focused on leadership and personal development. Her clients have included executives from Dolce Gabanna, The Ritz Carlton, Microsoft, NASA, Intel, and others. INTRODUCTION: MAKE FRIENDS WITH PRESSURE--Following the Clues The next message you need is always right where you are. —Ram Dass, American spiritual leader and author It’s Humanitarian Day at the United Nations. As the seats in the General Assembly fill up, the excitement is palpable. Onto the stage steps Beyoncé, dressed in an elegant long white sequined dress. With the symbol of the United Nations behind her, she stops center stage and waits for the music to begin. The pressure must be enormous, yet she is so centered and upright, she doesn’t display it. She begins to sing “I Was Here,” a song that encourages people to use their lives for the common good. Behind her, a video shows people from around the world. For a moment her hand rests on her heart. The camera immediately pans to members of the audience, who are clearly touched by her presence and words. The music builds; her energy intensifies, embracing the far reaches of the hall. Her arm naturally rises to align with her center and then sweeps across her body in a semicircle. Behind her, a video of re