How Stress Works

'Read this and add at least a fortnight to your life.' – Jeremy Vine

'Real, down-to-earth and urgently needed.' – Oliver Burkeman, bestselling author of Four Thousand Weeks

Why do we feel stress? And how can we change things?

How Stress Works is a pioneering collaboration between leading researcher Richard Mackenzie and journalist Peter Walker. Investigating the science of stress hormones, real-life case studies, the history of stress, societal factors and how they interact with stress, Mackenzie and Walker explain exactly how stress works, and what we can do to mitigate its long-term health impact. This is the book exploring the nuances of stress and how it affects you.

You’ll learn how stress impacts and interacts with:

• Your hormones
• Weight
• Type 2 diabetes
• Your work and socio-economic status
• Fertility and pregnancy
• Early childhood and upbringing
• Plus practical and adaptable strategies for coping with stress at home and at work

Packed with conversation-starting science and stories, How Stress Works answers the important questions and busts common myths. Did you know that low-carb diets can increase cortisol levels, as can HIIT exercise, causing insulin and glucose surges? Or that stress hormones can affect fertility for all genders? Mackenzie and Walker dive into society and stress, considering if the higher rate of type two diabetes in disadvantaged communities is entirely due to lack of healthy food and exercise – or is the stress of poverty itself a major factor?

One thing is clear: stress is complex and personal, with many contributing factors. In How Stress Works, the authors present the view that much (if not most) stress is caused by factors outside of your control. It’s not your fault if you’re stressed. But having the knowledge and understanding of what is happening in your body when stress occurs is a powerful step towards minimizing it.

Dr Richard Mackenzie is one of the UK's foremost experts on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and their interactions with stress hormones. Dr Mackenzie is a leading researcher at Research Centre for Health & Life Sciences (Coventry University) and the Institute of Cardio-Metabolic Medicine (University Hospital Coventry and Warwick NHS Trust) and is internationally recognized for his work. He leads on metabolic health at a distinguished Harley Street clinic and has published more than 40 journal articles, mainly on insulin resistance and diabetes.

Peter Walker is senior political correspondent with The Guardian and a well-known commentator and frequent broadcaster on active living and health, as well as on politics. As a journalist he has also worked for Agence France-Presse, CNN and others, reporting from places including China, Iraq and North Korea. He has written two previous books, including The Miracle Pill, which explained how everyday physical movement has disappeared from the modern world, and the health consequences this brings.

Together Dr Richard Mackenzie and Peter Waller are the authors of How Stress Works.