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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Worry-Free Mind summary
Carol Kershaw and Bill Wade
Train Your Brain, Calm the Stress Spin Cycle, and Discover a Happier, More Productive You
16 mins
Brief summary
"The Worry-Free Mind" by Carol Kershaw and Bill Wade offers tools and techniques for managing worry and anxiety. The book provides a four-step process for shifting negative thought patterns and achieving mental tranquility.
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The Worry-Free Mind
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Modern humans are stuck with a surplus of negative thinking and stress chemicals.
You lay awake in bed, unable to sleep because your mind is racing with worry after worry after worry. Sound familiar? Then let’s look a bit deeper into stress and worrying.
First of all, much of your incessant worrying is due to an overabundance of stress-related chemicals in your body. It used to be that we humans had a need for these chemicals. Back in the days of saber-toothed tigers, we lived in a world full of life-threatening dangers and fight-or-flight situations. And, though such daily threats have all but disappeared in the modern world, these instincts are still with us. As a result, your mind has a negativity bias: it constantly seeks to recognize threats around you.
The biochemicals related to this state of worry and stress can only be alleviated by engaging in vigorous activity. But since we’re no longer being chased by wild animals, or chasing them down for meat, these stress chemicals stay built up in our bodies and keep us in a state of constant worry.
Most of us have grown used to it. It feels normal to be chronically stressed. And, disturbingly, the more stressed out your brain is on a regular basis, the more likely it becomes that this state will be the normal setting for your brain in the future.
This is due to your brain’s neural pathways, which are created by your everyday thinking habits. These neural pathways also affect how you see the world around you, and determine whether you see opportunities waiting around every corner, or dangers and difficulty.
So the more you base your thoughts on stress and worry, the more likely you’ll be to act defensively and distrustfully.
But hope is not lost. It’s in your power to reduce your worries and put yourself on a more positive track.
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What is The Worry-Free Mind about?
The Worry-Free Mind (2017) takes a close look at why we spend so much time worrying and what can be done to reduce these worries. Having a stressed-out mind may be part of being a human being, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to better control your thoughts and emotions. Here are some tips and techniques to take control of your mind and live a happier life.
The Worry-Free Mind Review
The Worry-Free Mind (2016) explores effective strategies for overcoming worry and cultivating a sense of peace. Here's why you should give this book a read:
- With its practical techniques and exercises, it provides readers with actionable tools to manage anxiety and achieve a calm state of mind.
- Backed by research and expertise, the book offers a comprehensive understanding of worry and presents insightful ways to reframe negative thinking patterns.
- The authors' compassionate tone and relatable anecdotes make the book relatable and enjoyable, ensuring that it never becomes dull or monotonous.
Who should read The Worry-Free Mind?
- Individuals caught in a spiral of negative thinking
- People feeling stuck in a state of worry
- Students of meditation and spirituality
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The Worry-Free Mind FAQs
What is the main message of The Worry-Free Mind?
The main message of The Worry-Free Mind is how to overcome worry and anxiety using neuroscience-based techniques.
How long does it take to read The Worry-Free Mind?
The reading time for The Worry-Free Mind varies, but it generally takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Worry-Free Mind a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Worry-Free Mind is worth reading because it provides practical strategies to manage worry and anxiety, based on scientific research.
Who is the author of The Worry-Free Mind?
The authors of The Worry-Free Mind are Carol Kershaw and Bill Wade.
What to read after The Worry-Free Mind?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Worry-Free Mind, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Get Momentum by Jason W. Womack and Jodi Womack
- Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
- Emotional Agility by Susan David
- How Not to Worry by Paul McGee
- Positivity by Barbara L. Fredrickson
- All You Have to Do Is Ask by Wayne Baker
- Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer
- Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess by Caroline Leaf
- TED Talks by Chris Anderson
- The Worry Trick by David A. Carbonell