Stress has become one of the top killers in the US due to its link to numerous diseases. Yet the human brain continues to ignore positive thoughts in favor of negatives ones due to an old survival trait that we really need to evolve out of as a species.

In this book, Kathleen Smith examines a few of the top things that cause stress in the modern world. You'll get some good advice about what to focus on and what not to let yourself dwell over. You'll also learn why your mind wants you to believe that everything is terrible, even when it actually isn't.

Everyone will glean something different from this book. Read the sections that are most applicable to your life and skim/skip the rest. Also, be sure to give yourself time to actually reflect on the various nuggets of wisdom and the questions that each chapter poses.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

really enjoyed the first part of this book, felt like everything was hitting all the right spots, laughed a few times, made me think about some things and ways to handle my anxiety. the second part was less helpful for me personally, but still interesting. the third and fourth parts were where i struggled, i either didn't 'need' them or they were missing whatever the first two parts had for me. i am sure those parts will be helpful to some people though, and perhaps the parts that were helpful to me won't be helpful to others. i guess it depends on the areas of your life that give you anxiety - some people may have anxiety in all areas, some not. so, still worth a read, just may not find all of it helpful.

Felt like this was going to be a great book, but it came across as "too clinical". Even though it is written by a credible author and doctor, I still wanted it to read and resonate with a "regular" person. There was some good information, but overall not great in my book. Sorry. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review your book.

Everything Isn't Terrible is a interesting and informative book. It has some great advice and techniques for dealing with anxiety. I would but this book for people I know.

In "Everything Is(n't) Terrible", Dr. Kathleen Smith looks at different areas in our lives causing anxiety. Her guiding theory is the "Bowen Theory", which she mentions quite often. I found some of the most basic principles in the early parts of the book to be most helpful. When we experience scary things, we can fight, flee, freeze or fret. As humans, not only can we sense danger, we can also imagine it, thus anxiety. The author looks at 4 main areas of anxiety - Your Self, Your Relationships, Your Career and Your World. The reader will likely find herself skimming over those topics less applicable and focusing on those that resonate. I found one topic missing in the "Career" section. I was surprised there was no chapter on job security (ie. the fear of being downsized), this is a huge fear in the work world today, I thought it was a topic that would be mentioned.
All in all, this is a good starting point for those facing anxiety and wanting to address their fears.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley.

Everything Isn’t Terrible by Dr. Kathleen Smith couldn’t have come at a better time. I am experiencing significant life changes and have been looking for some guidance, and this book helped conquer some of my insecurities and provided concrete, easy-to-understand information and steps to find calmness and let go of anxiety.

I might as well have highlighted the whole book as there were so many wonderful analogies and gems of wisdom on each page.

I was able to get to a place where I noticed that I focus too much on other people and not enough on myself. For me, I identified that focusing on another person is when I try to motivate them, worry about them, guess what they are thinking, and doing things for them they can do for themselves.

You do have to read the book in small bits and reflect and think about what the author presents and the questions she poses to grasp the information fully and incorporate the strategies into your daily life. The examples, information, and exercises have you pulling deep within yourself to expose areas of your life and areas inside yourself that are not working or may cause stress and anxiety. 

This is a book where you have to be honest with yourself to do the work and make a change.

Everything Isn't Terrible is a great book to have on your shelf and refer to it often to live a calmer life.
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