Emotional Inflammation

March 16, 2020
Psychiatrist Van Susteren (Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change) and health writer Colino (Count Down) deliver in this cogent guide a plan to help individuals recognize triggers, plan ways to overcome them, and reestablish emotional and physical equilibrium. The authors write that pressures—work stress, gun violence, climate change—put everyone at risk for “emotional inflammation,” or biological distress responses to changing demands. To deal with these pressures, the authors recommend the RESTORE plan: recognize feelings, evaluate triggers, steady innate rhythms, obey signals, reclaim the gifts of nature, and exercise one’s power. They also offer advice on getting enough quality sleep, stepping away from social media, scheduling downtime, and exploring the natural world. While none of the ideas are groundbreaking, the authors’ wide scope and reassuring tone stand out: “The unfortunate truth is this: We have been depriving ourselves of natural remedies that are readily available. While they’re not necessarily easy to make habitual, they are simple to initiate.” These restorative tactics are great self-care starting points.