We live in a world which is spinning faster and faster and which compels us to reach more and more demanding targets. We are urged to keep stress under control in many ways and perhaps to consider its positive values. But to do this, we must have very clear ideas about what stress really is and we must eliminate many prejudices. This is the goal of this book: to help us to distinguish stress from mere restlessness/nervousness and from mental fatigue, and also to benefit from the regenerating aspects of intense, but chosen activity. Everyone reacts to stressful situations in their own way, therefore, one must know how to recognise one's own alarm bells, and especially how to identify the most successful strategies to relieve tension and to relax.

Mario Farn is psychotherapist and teaches Medical Psychology at the University of Bologna.