Stress Less - by Charles Stone (Paperback)

About the Book

"We're living in a stressed-out world. While we can't eliminate the stressors of life, we can learn to navigate them with courage and grace. This timely resource is a practical guide for anyone who feels the creep of stress, who desires freedom and peace, and who wants to Stress Less"--

Book Synopsis

We're living in a stressed-out world.

According to a poll from the American Psychological Association more than a quarter of U.S. adults say they're so stressed they can't function. But it's not just adults. Teenagers and children are also experiencing the negative effects of stress. Blending brain science, biblical truth, and best practices, Stress Less provides hope and healing. From his PhD research, pastor Charles Stone presents nine actionable insights for those battling stress or who have friends or family with fear and anxiety. Stone writes about biblical characters who successfully and unsuccessfully navigated stress and shares how he's responded to the stresses in his life, including a cancer diagnoses, heart issue, pre-diabetes diagnosis, and depression.

Stone answers the questions: What is stress?What does stress do to the body and brain?How do we build resistance to stress? He shows how changes in thinking, feeling, sleep, spiritual practices, and relationships can help us thrive through life's stresses. Readers learn how gratitude and soaking your soul in Jesus can cultivate a life of greater well-being and joy. While we can't eliminate the stressors of life, we can learn to navigate them with courage and grace. This timely resource is a practical guide for anyone who feels the creep of stress, who desires freedom and peace, and who wants to Stress Less.

Review Quotes

"A moving, practical, and brilliant integration of science and spirituality that is sure to help every reader better tackle modern day stressors."
--Dr. Amit Sood, the "Happiness Doctor," Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (retired), Executive Director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Well-being

"Once again, my friend Dr. Charles Stone has written an insightful and practical book dealing with a problem we all face in increasing measure: stress. In his unique style of combining personal experiences, biblical truth, and medical research, Charles was able to equip me with the tools and 'habitudes' necessary to identify, face, and overcome the stressors in my own life . . . and as a husband of twenty-six years, a father of three girls, a pastor of a growing church, a friend to many, and a son to aging parents, those stressors real. I have no doubt that Stress Less will do the same for you, so be encouraged and dig in!"
--Dr. David Whitten, Lead Pastor, Temple Baptist Church, Laurel MS

"As a family doctor with over forty years of experience in the exam room, I can state emphatically the overwhelming impact that stress has upon our physical and emotional well-being. Stress is almost impossible to treat through pharmacological agents alone . . . it takes behavioral change and insight into its presence in our lives. Dr. Charles Stone does a masterful job of showing us through his 'habitudes' how to reprogram our lives and diminish our stressors. Through a wonderful presentation of biblical truths, neuroscience, and practical skills and insights, Dr. Stone defines a life with stress and how to treat it effectively. If you are anxious at times, and most of us are . . . it is a must-read."
--Dr. Jack C. Evans, M.D, FAAFP

"Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn't have to be unmanageable. In Stress Less, Charles Stone weaves biblical truth, brain science, and practical tools into a powerful guide for building resilience. This book is packed with insights that are easy to understand and even easier to apply. If you're looking for a fresh approach to managing stress and finding joy, this is the resource you need."
--Mac Lake, founder, The Multiply Group, multibook author

"Whether you lead in business or in the church, it's essential to prioritize the holistic flourishing of those you lead. With the heart of a pastor and the insights of a scholar, Charles Stone offers both a compelling explanation and the motivation needed for leaders to make building stress resilience a central organizational discipline. Stress Less provides practical, actionable strategies that leaders who care deeply for their communities can begin prioritizing, modeling, and promoting immediately. In our current societal context this book is an urgent, must-read for any leader looking to cultivate a healthier, more resilient culture."
--Brian Cygan, cofounder and CEO, The Exercise Coach(R), America's #1 Largest Personal Training Organization

"Dr. Charles Stone has done it again! He has written a book on emotional and mental health that addresses the issues so many are dealing with. Stress Less will help you just like it helped me. Mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion are at an epidemic level. I know I've personally dealt with it; you likely have as well. Dr. Stone gives us the practical steps needed to regain the strength needed to fulfill our God-given purpose. This book is a must-have for not only you, but probably several people you know."
--Brian Dodd, blogger, Senior Ministry Consultant, INJOY Stewardship
Solutions

"Stress Less. Charles Stone had me at the title. Of course I want less stress in my life, but telling myself to stop stressing typically only makes me more stressed. In this book, Charles weaves scientific research with biblical insights to provide an invaluable guide for you to live a life with less stress. What a fantastic resource!"
--Jenni Catron, author, speaker, leadership, and culture strategist

"Entertaining, insightful, and important! New perspectives at the intersection of neuroscience, stress, and faith with clear and effective tools in how to stress less!"
--Dr. Heidi Summers, Psychology and Counseling Dept., Regent University

"Stress Less is a master blend of neuroscience, biblical teaching, and helpful practices that will truly help you understand and manage stress. I am so grateful for Charles Stone Jr. and his ability to take complex principles and make them accessible for everyone. I will be recommending this book to my coaching clients for years to come."
--Sean Nemecek, Ministry Burnout Coach and author of The Weary Leader's Guide to Burnout: A Journey from Exhaustion to Wholeness

"As church leaders, we are constantly navigating stressful situations, whether in our personal lives or ministry. Dr. Charles Stone's Stress Less offers practical, brain-based habits combined with biblical insights to help leaders manage stress and build resilience. His '3-B's' approach--biblical truth, brain insights, and best practices--provides actionable steps that can directly benefit anyone leading in today's high-pressure environments. I highly recommend you pick up copies of this book for your team to help them thrive rather than just survive in ministry!"
--Rich Birch, founder, unSeminary

"It's a telling reflection of our times that a book like this hits so hard--and is so desperately needed. There's no doubt that the negative effects of stress have reached epidemic levels in our society. We all feel it--me included. What we need is resilience. With his most recent book, Stress Less, Dr. Charles Stone steps into this need. Dr. Stone's Stress Less is not just a book, but a practical and accessible guide that seamlessly blends insights from neuroscience, timeless truths from Scripture, and evidence-based practices. It's a comprehensive tool that can be applied to all aspects of life in our stress-filled modern world."
--Dr. Deven K MacDonald, PhD, Lead Pastor Berean Baptist Church, Burnsville, MN

"Stress. We all have it! The question is: How should we deal with it? Charles writes from the perspective of science-backed research plus deeply devotional 'habitudes' to help us deal with and redeem it. That sounds bold, but after a lifetime as a pastor and a PhD dissertation reviewing over five hundred studies on stress, Charles has something interesting and helpful to say in Stress Less. Start your Stress Resilience Growth Plan by reading this book and downloading the tools for your life. This will help you spiritually, physically, emotionally, and, of course, with your stress."
--Dave Travis, Director Strategic Counsel to Pastors and Church Boards, Generis

About the Author

DR. CHARLES STONE (MDiv, DMin, PhD) has served for forty-three years in vocational ministry, thirty of those years as a senior pastor. He recently completed a nine-year role as lead pastor of West Park Church in London, Ontario, Canada, a multicultural congregation with over a thousand attendees. He has authored eight books and now serves as a coach-consultant to pastors and leaders. Over three hundred of his articles have appeared in magazines and online in publications such as Outreach Magazine, Leadership Journal, Pastors.com, SermonCentral.com, and Churchleaders.com. Charles and his wife, Sherryl, have been married for forty-five years and have three adult children and five grandchildren. You can reach him through his website at www.charlesstone.com.