The Origin of Everyday Moods: Managing Energy, Tension, and Stress Book

Caffeine. Candy. Sex. Shopping. Smoking. Whether we realize it or not, all of us have strategies for medicating ourselves when we feel threatened or overwhelmed by tension or tiredness. In this fascinating book, nationally known psychologist Robert E. Thayer serves as an expert guide through the latest research into moods and mood management, offering proven techniques for putting today's most important breakthroughs to work in our day-to-day lives. Thayer evaluates the hard scientific evidence as he reveals which behaviors energize and empower us, and which sabotage our best interests. He argues that when we learn to see moods as vital barometers of our whole psychology and physiology, rather than mysterious, purely emotional reactions to events around us, we not only understand ourselves better, we have the opportunity to substantially improve our personal effectiveness, both mentally and physically.

Thayer offers compelling evidence that our moods--particularly feelings of energy and tension--are closely tied to the rhythms of our evolutionary past. They are directly affected by our health, the food we eat, the amount of sleep we get, exercise (or lack of it), and the time of day.

Far from a shallow quick-fix book, The Origin of Everyday Moods is an in-depth exploration of the origins and influences of moods that affect us every day of our lives. It brings readers to a new understanding of the underlying biology of their daily cycles of energy and tension, and offers powerful recommendations for breaking self-destructive habits and leading a richer, more enjoyable life.