The life-changing international bestseller reveals a set of simple yet powerful mindfulness practices that you can incorporate into daily life to help break the cycle of anxiety, stress, unhappiness, and exhaustion.
Mindfulness promotes the kind of happiness and peace that gets into your bones. It seeps into everything you do and helps you meet the worst that life throws at you with new courage.
Based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), the book revolves around a straightforward form of mindfulness meditation which takes just a few minutes a day for the full benefits to be revealed. MBCT has been clinically proven to be at least as effective as drugs for depression and is widely recommended by US physicians and the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence—in other words, it works. More importantly it also works for people who are not depressed but who are struggling to keep up with the constant demands of the modern world.
MBCT was developed by the book’s author, Oxford professor Mark Williams, and his colleagues at the Universities of Cambridge and Toronto. By investing just 10 to 20 minutes each day, you can learn the simple mindfulness meditations at the heart of MBCT and fully reap their benefits. The book includes links to audio meditations to help guide you through the process. You’ll be surprised by how quickly these techniques will have you enjoying life again.
21 reviews for Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind
Rated 5 out of 5
Mark D. (verified owner)–
Understanding habit loops and methods to develop awareness of the present moment to reduce anxiety and live a fuller life. This book has made the rounds among my family members and is currently in the hands of my teenage daughter who is preparing for college. I have had the opportunity to sit in Dr. Brewer’s lectures and have sat on a retreat he co-led a few years ago. He is an excellent teacher and this book is a great example of his passion for assisting others. This book could not have come out at a better time!
Rated 5 out of 5
MerLan (verified owner)–
I’ve read quite a few books on this subject while searching for a way to quell performance-related anxiety. After hearing the author on Rich Roll’s podcast, I had to check out the book.
Dr. Brewer’s explanation of anxiety as a habit was fascinating and makes so much sense. The book helps you take a step back from the anxious feelings themselves to get a handle on what anxiety really is and how it happens in your body. And THEN… he tells you how to short-circuit it with accessible strategies.
It’s very easy to read and conversational, yet I found myself re-reading paragraphs because each one was literally full of can’t-miss stuff. I highly recommend this book, even if you think you’ve read all there is to read on this topic.
Rated 5 out of 5
NSquared (verified owner)–
This book as been a life changer. I have diagnosed anxiety. I am not a freelance reader but I could not seem to put it down. The author is so real with you and he is on point. I would love to meet him one day. He has made fixing anxiety a life’s mission and it shows. I actually didn’t think a book would help because none I have read have. This one DID! Highly recommend!
Rated 5 out of 5
Bella (verified owner)–
I am not an anxious person. I read this book as part of a group exercise. I do however have very anxious family members and as I read this I gained a deep new understanding of their suffering, plus learned of tools to help them. I am a long time mindfulness practitioner so did not need to be sold on the concepts to address suffering. But brain science was beyond fascinating. So grateful. ❤️👏🏻❤️👏🏻❤️
Rated 5 out of 5
j. Willis (verified owner)–
This book offered practical, easy to follow advice that really works. I mapped out my habit loop that saw me down 3 drinks a day every Friday through Sunday (I don’t drink during the work week). Realizing how sluggish I feel all weekend and that I can’t possibly take off the pandemic pounds while maintaining the habit has simply killed my desire keep doing it. Loved the book! I highly recommend it!
Rated 5 out of 5
Acoustickitty (verified owner)–
After reading just the first third of this book I feel like I have set down a huge weight. My mind is calmer, I sleep better and are more relaxed. If you are constantly worrying, the tips and exercises in this book will help you to allow life to happen without winding yourself up and worrying about what’s to come.
Rated 5 out of 5
Courtney Cox (verified owner)–
I have now listened to this book three times on Audible. I have gifted both the physical book and the audio book to 6 of my loved ones. I don’t know how I made it so long not mapping out my habit loops. To say this book has changed my life is an understatement. This book has made some of my biggest battles almost melt away. I wish I had it years ago. I know two of my family members are blown away by it. I hope the others will take the time to read/listen to this book. The principles and evidence base learning is profound. Thank you Judson Brewer!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jill (verified owner)–
This book recommended to me by my therapist. As someone who didn’t struggle with anxiety until my 30s, I found this book so helpful. Mindfulness was already a practice I was experienced with in the classroom as we tried to help students understand their fixed vs growth mindset. So when I learned this could actually help me with my anxiety, I jumped right in. I still have my training wheels on but I can tell a difference when I start to get my bubble of anxiety brewing to greet it with curiosity instead of fear. I’m finding more and more triggers and battling them out through my gear shifting. (All of the analogies week make sense once you read the book). So whether you’re a seasoned anxiety vet or just getting started, this book is a good place to start. May you find your peace.
Rated 5 out of 5
Julie Morse (verified owner)–
I’ve read a lot of books on managing anxiety over the years, and this one might be the best. It’s straightforward, based on research, and incorporates insights from science and mindfulness. A must-read for anyone looking to change their relationship to anxiety or break bad habits.
Rated 5 out of 5
DAVID L. Franklin<span class="a-icon a-profile-verified-badge"><span class="a-profile-verified-text"></span></span> (verified owner)–
I enjoyed this book. It definitely provides great tools for those navigating anxiety. Who knew that people are addicted to anxiety and worry? I highly recommend this book.
Rated 5 out of 5
Najeb Rajab Basha (verified owner)–
The book is great and has arrived in good condition as promised.
Rated 5 out of 5
CMG (verified owner)–
Advise is so practical. It helps to get this going had you done meditation before. But not a requirement. Dr Brewer can be very funny at times, which helps a lot with the practice.
Rated 5 out of 5
Julianna Tellez-Garcia (verified owner)–
Bought this book for a course I have and ended being awesome!
Rated 5 out of 5
D. Davies (verified owner)–
I first listened to the audiobook twice and then decided it was worth buying the kindle book to read and study. I have completed the read, highlighting as I went, and have now typed up those highlights. I believe mindfulness and awareness are very beneficial in refining our habits. I think he under estimates willpower and grit. I bike and have run distance and know that quitting is a choice we ultimately make. Other than that, I love what he has taught.
Rated 5 out of 5
MGM (verified owner)–
Nice guy, well written, good summary of practical research, very helpful approach to transcending anxiety. Glad my friend recommended it.
Rated 5 out of 5
Vic A (verified owner)–
This book starts slow unless you’re science based but persevere. He offers so much information to try to think about and maybe even use. I didn’t want it to end. If your inner self feels wrong why not try.
Rated 5 out of 5
EMA (verified owner)–
Simple, but put it into practice so this works, ive been pretty constant and iam having some changes. It will not make anxiety disappear but rather work on it and transform the energy in to a life of intention
Rated 5 out of 5
manur (verified owner)–
This was one of my first books i’ve read. It always kept me coming back for more because of how i used the stuff he taught me in real life. If you are an anxious and overthinking man or woman as my self, couldn’t recommend it more.
Rated 5 out of 5
Tom Smith (verified owner)–
I found this program very helpful. While reading the book is great, I found the app particularly useful. I used both, but if you have to choose just one, choose the app.
Rated 5 out of 5
Alohaberry (verified owner)–
I bought this book physically as well as audio. The author has a nice voice and the content is great. He makes understanding why we have habits, addictions, etc as well as how to handle changing them. It’s not just a book about learning how to manage anxiety, it’s a book about how to shift gears on all sorts of life approaches.
Rated 5 out of 5
AO (verified owner)–
If you need to understand anxiety and the path to relieving anxiety, go nowhere else first but here.
Mark D. (verified owner) –
Understanding habit loops and methods to develop awareness of the present moment to reduce anxiety and live a fuller life. This book has made the rounds among my family members and is currently in the hands of my teenage daughter who is preparing for college. I have had the opportunity to sit in Dr. Brewer’s lectures and have sat on a retreat he co-led a few years ago. He is an excellent teacher and this book is a great example of his passion for assisting others. This book could not have come out at a better time!
MerLan (verified owner) –
I’ve read quite a few books on this subject while searching for a way to quell performance-related anxiety. After hearing the author on Rich Roll’s podcast, I had to check out the book.
Dr. Brewer’s explanation of anxiety as a habit was fascinating and makes so much sense. The book helps you take a step back from the anxious feelings themselves to get a handle on what anxiety really is and how it happens in your body. And THEN… he tells you how to short-circuit it with accessible strategies.
It’s very easy to read and conversational, yet I found myself re-reading paragraphs because each one was literally full of can’t-miss stuff. I highly recommend this book, even if you think you’ve read all there is to read on this topic.
NSquared (verified owner) –
This book as been a life changer. I have diagnosed anxiety. I am not a freelance reader but I could not seem to put it down. The author is so real with you and he is on point. I would love to meet him one day. He has made fixing anxiety a life’s mission and it shows. I actually didn’t think a book would help because none I have read have. This one DID! Highly recommend!
Bella (verified owner) –
I am not an anxious person. I read this book as part of a group exercise. I do however have very anxious family members and as I read this I gained a deep new understanding of their suffering, plus learned of tools to help them. I am a long time mindfulness practitioner so did not need to be sold on the concepts to address suffering. But brain science was beyond fascinating. So grateful. ❤️👏🏻❤️👏🏻❤️
j. Willis (verified owner) –
This book offered practical, easy to follow advice that really works. I mapped out my habit loop that saw me down 3 drinks a day every Friday through Sunday (I don’t drink during the work week). Realizing how sluggish I feel all weekend and that I can’t possibly take off the pandemic pounds while maintaining the habit has simply killed my desire keep doing it. Loved the book! I highly recommend it!
Acoustickitty (verified owner) –
After reading just the first third of this book I feel like I have set down a huge weight. My mind is calmer, I sleep better and are more relaxed. If you are constantly worrying, the tips and exercises in this book will help you to allow life to happen without winding yourself up and worrying about what’s to come.
Courtney Cox (verified owner) –
I have now listened to this book three times on Audible. I have gifted both the physical book and the audio book to 6 of my loved ones. I don’t know how I made it so long not mapping out my habit loops. To say this book has changed my life is an understatement. This book has made some of my biggest battles almost melt away. I wish I had it years ago. I know two of my family members are blown away by it. I hope the others will take the time to read/listen to this book. The principles and evidence base learning is profound. Thank you Judson Brewer!
Jill (verified owner) –
This book recommended to me by my therapist. As someone who didn’t struggle with anxiety until my 30s, I found this book so helpful. Mindfulness was already a practice I was experienced with in the classroom as we tried to help students understand their fixed vs growth mindset. So when I learned this could actually help me with my anxiety, I jumped right in. I still have my training wheels on but I can tell a difference when I start to get my bubble of anxiety brewing to greet it with curiosity instead of fear. I’m finding more and more triggers and battling them out through my gear shifting. (All of the analogies week make sense once you read the book). So whether you’re a seasoned anxiety vet or just getting started, this book is a good place to start.
May you find your peace.
Julie Morse (verified owner) –
I’ve read a lot of books on managing anxiety over the years, and this one might be the best. It’s straightforward, based on research, and incorporates insights from science and mindfulness. A must-read for anyone looking to change their relationship to anxiety or break bad habits.
DAVID L. Franklin<span class="a-icon a-profile-verified-badge"><span class="a-profile-verified-text"></span></span> (verified owner) –
I enjoyed this book. It definitely provides great tools for those navigating anxiety. Who knew that people are addicted to anxiety and worry? I highly recommend this book.
Najeb Rajab Basha (verified owner) –
The book is great and has arrived in good condition as promised.
CMG (verified owner) –
Advise is so practical. It helps to get this going had you done meditation before. But not a requirement.
Dr Brewer can be very funny at times, which helps a lot with the practice.
Julianna Tellez-Garcia (verified owner) –
Bought this book for a course I have and ended being awesome!
D. Davies (verified owner) –
I first listened to the audiobook twice and then decided it was worth buying the kindle book to read and study. I have completed the read, highlighting as I went, and have now typed up those highlights. I believe mindfulness and awareness are very beneficial in refining our habits. I think he under estimates willpower and grit. I bike and have run distance and know that quitting is a choice we ultimately make. Other than that, I love what he has taught.
MGM (verified owner) –
Nice guy, well written, good summary of practical research, very helpful approach to transcending anxiety. Glad my friend recommended it.
Vic A (verified owner) –
This book starts slow unless you’re science based but persevere. He offers so much information to try to think about and maybe even use. I didn’t want it to end. If your inner self feels wrong why not try.
EMA (verified owner) –
Simple, but put it into practice so this works, ive been pretty constant and iam having some changes. It will not make anxiety disappear but rather work on it and transform the energy in to a life of intention
manur (verified owner) –
This was one of my first books i’ve read. It always kept me coming back for more because of how i used the stuff he taught me in real life.
If you are an anxious and overthinking man or woman as my self, couldn’t recommend it more.
Tom Smith (verified owner) –
I found this program very helpful. While reading the book is great, I found the app particularly useful. I used both, but if you have to choose just one, choose the app.
Alohaberry (verified owner) –
I bought this book physically as well as audio. The author has a nice voice and the content is great. He makes understanding why we have habits, addictions, etc as well as how to handle changing them. It’s not just a book about learning how to manage anxiety, it’s a book about how to shift gears on all sorts of life approaches.
AO (verified owner) –
If you need to understand anxiety and the path to relieving anxiety, go nowhere else first but here.