Unmedicated

November 13, 2017
Taylor, cofounder and editor-in-chief of the inspirational website DailyOM, shares her story of her own overreliance on medications that numbed her to her full potential in this instructive take on holistic medicine. She was on antidepressants and antianxiety medications for decades but now lives without them, and here presents a four-pillar plan aimed at helping readers break their need for pharmaceuticals. The first pillar, “clear your mind,” emphasizes meditation, explaining how it can help readers quiet the mind and giving practical steps for beginning a daily practice. With this foundation, Taylor says, readers can then slowly wean themselves off of medications with the help of journaling, strengthening the body from inside out by eating well, learning to manage time efficiently, and purposefully engaging others. Taylor introduces potential pitfalls and solutions so that readers won’t be overwhelmed. Spiritual elements are slight but they do undergird her holistic philosophy of building mental health from a foundation of meditation. Taylor’s slow-burning guide to releasing the mind from medication will work best as a supplement to clinical advice.

December 1, 2017

Taylor, cofounder of dailyOM.com, shares her personal program for mitigating depression and getting off antidepressant drugs. Organized into the four "pillars"--"Clear Your Mind," "Nurture Your Spirit," "Strengthen Your Body," and "Find Your Tribe"--the title shares how the author moved from a scared and sad little girl to neurotic/depressed/substance-abusing adult to spiritually alive, drug-free New Age guru. Her advice is not particularly new (meditate, exercise, journal, practice forgiveness) and at times borders on the condescending; she is pretty sure if it worked for her, it will work for you, too. However, solid guidance from a supportive voice often bears repeating and just may be the antidote to what the doctor prescribed. Following her common-sense program and applying the rebuttal to self-sabotage could develop physical well-being as well as positive emotional and mental health. VERDICT This upbeat book offers a nonjudgmental and flexible guide to making healthy changes leading to an unmedicated and happier life.--Janet Tapper, Univ. of Western States Lib., Portland, OR

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