Library Journal
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Stress is an epidemic, spreading viciously among teens. School demands, social pressures, the physical changes of puberty, and shifting family dynamics all compound to create anxiety, the fast-paced digital age a whirring centrifuge multiplying the intensity. PhD Bernstein (10 Days to a Less Defiant Child; Why Can't You Read My Mind?) advocates mindfulness techniques that enable teens to notice what's going on in their mind, body, and the world around them. According to the author, the average person has nearly 70,000 thoughts per day, or a dizzying 48.6 thoughts per minute. Simple--to-learn activities offer the antidote. Getting stuck in one's own head is a process that upends teens as well as adults. Bernstein suggests young people use their five senses to stay grounded in the present, being mindful of breath, thoughts, and feelings. He explores common causes of teen worry and shares specific strategies for each. Walking meditation is a tool to help with body-image struggles. VERDICT Including "in their own words" sections and practical exercises, this resource will be useful to parents and teachers to inoculate teens against the onslaught of anxiety plaguing the current culture. © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.