Anxiety is a natural part of life. Sometimes it can be an advantage, such as when it warns us not to put ourselves in danger. At other times it gets in the way of the things we enjoy. The Worry (Less) Book helps the reader identify anxiety and build a toolkit to cope with those more difficult times.
With sections on everything from how anxiety makes us physically feel to the way other people might react and the things we can do to take care of ourselves, this book gives a handy insight into brains and their inbuilt panic alarms. The book is pitched perfectly to be accessible to older primary school children and teenagers, and the information remains useful to adults.
The things we are most inclined to do when anxious – staying indoors, avoiding things we otherwise enjoy, drinking coffee or sugary drinks, eating chocolate, slowing down – trigger anxiety. This stuck with me above everything else in the book. Self-care begins with the basics like drinking water and getting enough exercise.
No book can make anxiety disappear and The Worry (Less) Book makes that clear. It also suggests helplines and places to turn to such as doctors and therapists for times when anxiety makes normal life impossible. What the book offers are some techniques that can reduce the impact of anxiety on everyday life.
Witty and informative cartoons make this a treasure. It has the same relatable feel as a good meme. The information stuck in my head thanks to the fun and memorable images. Anxiety itself is a character in many of the cartoons. It is represented as a grey cloud with a face and arms. This is helpful in itself because visualising anxiety can be the first step to recognition.
With many young people feeling anxious and afraid during these difficult times of Coronavirus, a pocket-sized book like this can be a friend and an aid as schools reopen and parts of normal life resume. With quick-to-read cartoons and plenty of information, this one is a winner.
- The Worry (Less) Book by Rachel Brian is available now from Hachette Children’s Group. RRP £7.99 (Provided for review as part of a promotional blog tour)
