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_chaoticbooknook's review
4.0
Brewer does a great job laying out the behaviors and patterns that lead us to fall into an anxiety trap, and from there, taking us through the steps on how to break out of it. It is clear that his claims are well-supported by studies and research, reflective of him and his educational background.
I feel like a more apt title would be "Unwinding Addictive Behaviors" than "Unwinding Anxiety". The methods he describes in the book are certainly helpful - and the evidence Brewer provides does lend merit to how these methods could be helpful - but it seems to pertain more to addiction than anxiety. Of course, the two are easily intertwined, but I felt that the anxiety he described was moreso the type experienced by an addict (and perhaps, in this day and age, we are all addicts in a certain way: to the internet, social media, our phones, etc.). And perhaps I am an addict too, but am in denial. Brewer certainly touches on this notion, but never really expands it in a way that would get people to truly believe that they are addicts and consequently the methods laid out are highly relevant to them.
Ultimately, I found that this book is the perfect, well-researched companion to anyone who has the beginnings of a mindfulness practice. I couldn't help but see parallels between Brewer's points and those I hear while following the Headspace app, for example. I actually quite liked this notion, because it made me understand *why* behind the concepts often expounded in mindfulness practice, such as being present. And perhaps it really is only mindfulness that helps to break the anxiety habit. It certainly dovetails well with what I realized through therapy, through sitting with my own anxiety, etc. It's worth a read for anyone who wants to understand the why behind some aspects of anxiety and how to help break the cycle, but I don't know if it truly addresses anxiety in the way you might expect it to.
I feel like a more apt title would be "Unwinding Addictive Behaviors" than "Unwinding Anxiety". The methods he describes in the book are certainly helpful - and the evidence Brewer provides does lend merit to how these methods could be helpful - but it seems to pertain more to addiction than anxiety. Of course, the two are easily intertwined, but I felt that the anxiety he described was moreso the type experienced by an addict (and perhaps, in this day and age, we are all addicts in a certain way: to the internet, social media, our phones, etc.). And perhaps I am an addict too, but am in denial. Brewer certainly touches on this notion, but never really expands it in a way that would get people to truly believe that they are addicts and consequently the methods laid out are highly relevant to them.
Ultimately, I found that this book is the perfect, well-researched companion to anyone who has the beginnings of a mindfulness practice. I couldn't help but see parallels between Brewer's points and those I hear while following the Headspace app, for example. I actually quite liked this notion, because it made me understand *why* behind the concepts often expounded in mindfulness practice, such as being present. And perhaps it really is only mindfulness that helps to break the anxiety habit. It certainly dovetails well with what I realized through therapy, through sitting with my own anxiety, etc. It's worth a read for anyone who wants to understand the why behind some aspects of anxiety and how to help break the cycle, but I don't know if it truly addresses anxiety in the way you might expect it to.
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