Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Worrying Is Optional: Break the Cycle of Anxiety and Rumination That Keeps You Stuck By Ben Eckstein; Foreword by Lisa W. Coyne

In a world that often feels like it’s spinning out of control, “Worrying Is Optional” emerges as a beacon of hope for those caught in the relentless storm of anxiety and rumination. Authors Ben Eckstein and Lisa W. Coyne have crafted a guide that is not just a book but a journey towards self-liberation from the shackles of worry.

The book is divided into four insightful sections: Understanding Worry, Changing Your Relationship to Worry, Challenging Worry, and Living Unbound From Worry. Each section builds upon the last, creating a comprehensive roadmap for readers who seek to understand their worry, not as an enemy, but as a misguided friend.

Eckstein’s prose is clear and direct, devoid of the jargon that often plagues self-help literature. His approach is grounded in the practical application of metacognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The book doesn’t just preach; it equips readers with an arsenal of tools, skills, and strategies to manage excessive worry effectively.

One of the book’s strengths is its acknowledgment that worry is a natural part of the human experience. It’s not about eliminating worry entirely but learning to coexist with it. The strategies outlined are not one-size-fits-all but are presented as a customizable toolbox that readers can adapt to their unique situations.

The tone of the book is upbeat, yet it doesn’t shy away from the reality that the path to managing worry is a challenging one. It’s this balance of optimism and realism that makes “Worrying Is Optional” a standout in its genre.

In summary, “Worrying Is Optional” is a must-read for anyone who finds themselves in the throes of anxiety. It’s a book that doesn’t just offer temporary solace but strives to empower its readers with lasting change. Whether you’re a chronic worrier or someone who faces occasional bouts of anxiety, this book has something to offer you. It’s a reminder that while worry may be inevitable, staying stuck in it is certainly optional.

"Worrying Is Optional" by Ben Eckstein and Lisa W. Coyne emerges as a transformative and insightful guide that gracefully navigates the complexities of worry and anxiety. With a unique blend of compassion, scientific understanding, and practical advice, the authors provide a compelling roadmap to a life where worrying takes a backseat, allowing for more joy, presence, and fulfillment.

Eckstein and Coyne, both esteemed in their fields, draw upon their extensive experience and the latest research in psychology to demystify the mechanisms behind worry. They approach the subject with a gentle yet empowering tone, making complex concepts accessible and relatable to readers from all walks of life. Their book is a testament to the idea that while worry is a common human experience, it doesn't have to define or control us.

One of the book's standout features is its practicality. "Worrying Is Optional" is not just an exploration of why we worry; it's a guide packed with actionable strategies to manage worry effectively. The authors introduce readers to a variety of tools and techniques grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), among other evidence-based approaches. These strategies are designed to help readers develop a healthier relationship with their thoughts, enabling them to break the cycle of worry and reclaim their lives.

Eckstein and Coyne's writing is infused with empathy and encouragement, making readers feel seen and understood. They acknowledge the struggles that come with excessive worry without ever minimizing the reader's experience. Instead, they offer a path forward, one that is both achievable and grounded in self-compassion. This approach not only makes the book a pleasure to read but also instills a sense of hope and possibility.

The authors also excel in making the book engaging and interactive. Through exercises, reflection prompts, and real-life examples, they invite readers to actively participate in their journey toward worry-free living. This interactive element ensures that the insights gained from the book can be directly applied to one's life, making the journey towards less worry a personalized and deeply impactful experience.

"Worrying Is Optional" is also notable for its holistic view of worry. Eckstein and Coyne explore the role of worry in various aspects of life, including relationships, work, health, and personal growth. This comprehensive approach ensures that readers can apply the book's teachings to the areas of their lives where worry is most prevalent, leading to profound and lasting change.

In conclusion, "Worrying Is Optional" by Ben Eckstein and Lisa W. Coyne is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to understand and overcome worry. It combines scientific insight, practical strategies, and a compassionate voice to create a guide that is both enlightening and empowering. Readers will come away from this book with not only a deeper understanding of their worries but also the tools and confidence to live a more peaceful and fulfilling life. Eckstein and Coyne have crafted a masterpiece that stands as a beacon of hope for worrywarts everywhere, proving that indeed, worrying is optional.

An interesting read. Good food for thought on strategies and ways to reduce worrying or anxiety. I will definitely keep these ideas in mind.

Thanks for the ARC!

Very engaging book. Written in a way where you don’t get stuck and are drawn in. I work in mental health and can see myself recommending this book to clients.

Thanks to netgalley for the eARC of this book!!

As someone who has anxiety and is married to someone as well this was a really great read. Straightforward with information from different methods of processing things in your own life. I think it’s always helpful to understand there is more than one way to process and work through these things and it was stressed how important it is to take what you need and tailor it to the individual which I think is lost in therapy often but particularly in the large bucket that is anxiety/OCD etc.

Well written and organized with actionable information versus fluff.

In Worrying Optional, Ben Eckstein LCSW has written a brand-new book to assist with dealing with anxiety and worrying. He is a therapist who helps clients and he is witnessed a rise in people struggling with worrying. He explained how we have to learn to coexist with it and not all of it is bad. He described the difference between the noun and the verb: worry and worrying. He defined worry as, “initial thought, the doubt that arises in your mind, the awareness of uncertainty.” He explained how worrying needs to be considered active and we get to choose if we do so. He also looked at how anxiety becomes problematic when we respond to it in ways that leads us to amplify it. He explored the five stages of the anxiety cycle. He also looked at five reasons you can’t change and their rationales. He ends the book with ways to break the cycle of worrying and breaking habits.


One of my favorite chapters discussed values and sorting them into three categories. Theses included acceptance, bravery, commitment, courage, integrity, family, self-respect, just to name a few. He careful clarified how we must not wait on life and for our thoughts and feelings to change before we get to catching after the life that we want. He shared how we can move towards or away from our values.


I would recommend this helpful book to anyone who is consumed by fear, worrying, and anxiety. I liked how he went into detail about the difference between worrying and worry. I appreciated how he tried to help readers to get to the root of the anxiety and break the cycle of worry. I can tell he has seen a lot of clients who struggle with anxiety and this book provides a way for us to start living the life that we always wanted to.




"I received this book free from New Harbinger Publications for my honest review.”

A wonderful book. Highly recommended. You will enjoy reading it. Written in a very engaging prose. Nowhere would you feel being stuck or bored. Pick it up if you get a chance. A wonderful psychology book. Thanks to the author for a review copy.

We all worry at times. However, worrying as a chronic way of relating to the world and living a life can certainly takes its toll. Using knowledge from different therapeutic schools such as ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), readers will develop strategies. As a result, this book will be most welcome for its audience.

Many people don't consider worrying optional, so this could be helpful in putting things in perspective. Things are laid out in an easy-to-understand manner. Real-life examples are included which may resonate with readers. The authors point out that, to a degree, worrying is a normal response to life's trials. But they also layout the difference between functional worry and that which is counterproductive. They try to help the reader see that worry, in many cases, is a choice we make daily. This concept is behind breaking the cycle. Various therapeutic approaches are mentioned (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).

TW: The pandemic is addressed, which will likely impact how some readers feel about this book. I know that, for me, it's still too soon, and it did affect my rating.

I for one suffer from anxiety, but this book helped me to put things in perspective to know that worry and stress are a normal part of life and how we cope if the most important take away.

To help people to do get this issue under control, the book offers a range of techniques drawn from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

All in all, this is a really useful resource for anyone looking for help with such challenges. Definitely worth checking out and being able to apply to your own practice with dealing with others.

Worrying Is Optional by Ben Eckstein is a perfect resource for individuals who struggle with excessive worrying and anxiety. As I was reading this book, I was supporting a freshman in college who suffers from anxiety. I was able to use the tools and strategies outlined in the book to provide guidance. The strategies are rooted in ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and the author provides a thorough understanding of what causes worry and how to best live with anxiety.

The author of this book wisely notes that we all worry at times. However, worrying as a chronic way of relating to the world and living a life can certainly takes its toll. Mr. Eckstein wants to offer readers a tool kit to cope with this often harrowing emotion.

Using knowledge from different therapeutic schools such as ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), readers will develop strategies. As a result, this book will be most welcome for its audience.

The author writes in a clear and direct style. Read each of the four sections including Understanding Worry, Changing Your Relationship to Worry, Challenging Worry and Living Unbound From Worry and then, hopefully, feel more on top of things as understanding and new skills develop. As the author notes, worry and anxiety will not completely disappear butthe reader will likely be able to better co-exist with these feelings.

Many thanks to NetGalley and New Harbinger Publications. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed Worrying is Optional! I thought it was a well thought out and interesting book that left me feeling uplifted, more confident, and brighter.

Very useful book for me. It gave me many insights and advice to help me with my worrying and ruminating. I needed this book! I'll help my friends from therapy with some of these tips, and I'll totally recommend them this book when it comes out!

While some amount of worry is a natural response to the uncertainties of life and the challenges we face, the fact is, excessive worrying can actually be very debilitating. Those who suffer from such anxiety are well aware of the consequences, and this book offers some tips and techniques on how to manage anxiety-related challenges more effectively.

Among other things, the book puts forward the idea that worrying is something we can control. At least to some degree. That idea is in itself quite empowering for many.

To help people to do get this issue under control, the book offers a range of techniques drawn from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). By implementing some of these measures, those who are prone to worrying can achieve a measure of relief from that particular hamster wheel.

All in all, this is a really useful resource for anyone looking for help with such challenges. Definitely worth checking out.

This was a thoughtful, compassionate and helpful book on managing anxiety or worrying. The most important thing to learn is that worries and worrying are different.

Worries are the thoughts or doubts that your mind sometimes produces. These are normal and ok. We can learn to observe them and simply accept them as thoughts. The worrying refers to the excessive, nagging, incessant fretting and dramatic all-or-nothing or catastrophizing or overgeneralisation that we might engage in. These are not helpful. This book helps us separate these and manage them.

I especially liked the idea of having a “coping script.” The final chapter on the characteristics of non-worriers was also very helpful. This book offered guidelines and steps that are immediately usable. The perspective offered changes the way I think when I “worry” and I feel hopeful that I can live in peace with the discomfort that worries exist and that that is fine. I’m very grateful. Highly recommended.

(I received a free review copy from NetGalley.)

Worrying Is Optional
By: Ben Eckstein; Lisa W. Coyne
Review Score: 4 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints

-I learned so much more about how worry works inside our brains.

-There are some really great tips and tricks on how to “re-train” your brain in terms of worry.

-I love the idea of figuring out your values, and using that as a guide against worry.

-Even if you are not a constant worrier, you will find something interesting in this book.

——

Worrying Is Optional was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and New Harbinger Publications. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date 12/28/23

I am definitely someone who worries. I tend to have a lot of anxiety, and I am constantly looking for ways to help myself (including medication. No shame there).

Worrying is Optional does a great job of breaking down our worries, and gives some really great tips and tricks on overcoming those worries. You have to put in the work, obviously, but I found myself constantly making notes on things to start trying for my own worries.

Even if you are not normally an anxious person, you will find some great tips and tricks that you can use on the chance you are feeling a bit of worry about something.


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Excellent resource to have on hand. The age old question of I worry too much only to find out it is normal and required to a certain degree. Hence the excellent resource to have on hand for the moments that worry gets out of hand!

In "Worrying Is Optional" by Ben Eckstein, you'll embark on a journey to conquer the grip of worry in an uncertain world. Acknowledging that worry is a universal experience, this book empowers you to break free from debilitating rumination and anxiety. Drawing from metacognitive therapy, ACT, and CBT, you'll craft a personalized anti-worry toolkit. Discover the science behind worry, learn when to rein in disruptive thoughts, and challenge perfectionism while embracing uncertainty. This invaluable resource offers practical tools and insightful perspectives, seamlessly blending therapeutic approaches and transcending anxiety disorders. With Eckstein's expert guidance, transform your relationship with worry and align with your core values – an essential, adaptable guide to reclaiming peace of mind. I highly recommend it!

3.5 stars! This was a very textbook-style read, packed with plenty of information and tools that could benefit pretty much anyone. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!