Creating reintegration solutions for our military service members, families and communities.
Books and CDs
Knowledge is a core component of strength and these materials are excellent doorways into their respective areas. Most of the books and topics below cover multiple dimensions of balance, though they are categorized here for easier reference:
Book and CD Categories
Stress and Trauma
- The Cortisol Connection by Shawn Talbott, PhD
- A strong indictment of the stress hormone cortisol, which effectively acts as an anti-inflammatory byproduct of the stress response and becomes a debilitating health hazard over time. Also reviews supplements and how they impact cortisol levels and body-brain function.
- Does Stress Damage the Brain by Douglas J. Bremner, MD
- A leading expert on PETSCANS and neuropsychiatry, Bremner points to the emerging evidence that stress and trauma actually change brain function and create damage to the brain. The good news is that our infinitely 'plastic' brains at the neuron level can also be changed positively.
- The End of Stress as We Know It by Bruce McEwen
- Why stress is a natural and necessary function and how the relationship between brain and biology can be rewired based on understanding and skillful influence.
- Invisible Heroes by Belleruth Naparstek
- Provides an excellent explanation of trauma and stress and how they play out in the body and brain—very readable for layman and professionals.
- My Body, My Earth: The Practice of Somatic Archaeology by Ruby Gibson
- Self-help book that offers skills for healing PTSD and generational memories.
- The Trauma Spectrum by Robert Scaer, MD
- Dr. Scaer lays out the neurophysiology of stress and trauma in a holistic, comprehensive way against the cultural backdrop. Richly scientific, much of the Strength after Service neurophysiology is credited to Dr. Scaer.
- Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine, PhD
- This book is groundbreaking in the field of trauma—the first to look at trauma through the lenses of a natural, animal aspect of human beings.
Veteran and Family Specific
- Courage after Fire by Keith Armstrong, Paula Domenici, and Suzanne Best
- The authors provide a practical and skill-driven framework for the returning veteran and family members. Highly recommended.
- On Killing by Dave Grossman
- Grossman pulls no punches in frankly discussing what he considers to be the essence of the internal moral and psychological conflict inherent in war. This book does contain some graphic content.
- An Operators Manual to Combat PTSD by Ashley B. Hart II
- Excellent guide to the impacts of trauma on veterans. In short essays, the book covers cognitive aspects, brain function, survivor guilt, and more.
- While They're at War by Kristin Henderson
- A must read for family members and veterans alike. The toll deployment can take on families and the coping mechanisms and support strategies they use are fascinating and sometimes heart wrenching.
- Achilles in Vietnam and Odysseus in America by Jonathan Shay
- These two books are valuable for reviewing the veterans' journey home. Written with recognition of the classical "Heroes Journey" (hence Achilles and Odysseus), the books offer insights into the nature of war, reintegration and PTSD through the eyes and words of veterans as conveyed to the author.
- At Hell's Gate by Claude Anshin Thomas
- Thomas, a Vietnam vet, guides the reader through his journey from combat infantryman to Buddhist priest.
- War and the Soul by Edward Tick
- A long-time veteran counselor, Tick offers a broader view of the returning veteran's experience, as he feels that the categorizing of trauma (and PTSD) does not do justice to what is experienced and lost for many veterans. This is an amazing book and points toward transformation and healing potential.
Breathing
- Conscious Breathing by Gay Hendricks
- Hendricks connects breath work with mindfulness training.
- Free Your Breath, Free Your Life by Dennis Lewis
- Lewis offers a variety of breathing techniques, how to move 'beyond' technique, and why breathing is at the center of life mastery.
Awareness
- Minding the Body, Mending the Mind by Joan Borysenko
- Reviews the strong threads of the mind-body relationship.
- Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
- Looks at how we can use attention to move through life optimally.
- The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer
- Dyer focuses on how we use attention and intention to shape our daily lives and life trajectory. Very uplifting.
- Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
- A great book for vets and families on how to use attention.
- Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force by Jeffrey Scwhartz, MD and Sharon Begley
- Amazing research on the effects of attention regulation on obssessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Much of the science is applicable to stress and trauma, including automatic negative thinking - shows that humans can retrain the brain and actually create new pathways through practice and training.
- The Psychology of Winning by Denis Waitley
- This book, among his many, points out ways to use attention, including positive mental attitude and visualization, to your advantage.
Visualization and Imagery
- Imagery in Healing by Jeanne Achterberg
- How imagery is closely involved with healing on a physical basis.
- Psychosynthesis by Roberto Assagioli
- How symbol and imagery can stabilize and heal - good imagery exercises.
- The Power of Visualization by Lee Pulos
- The mechanics (skills) and effects of visualization/imagery.
Emotional Management
- The Power of Kindness by Roberto Assagioli
- The author takes compassionate understanding to a new level and show practical ways we can apply it to our lives with healthful benefits.
- The Heartmath Solution by Doc Childre
- Covers heart rate variability (HRV) and stress response and presents science and evidence of the value of focusing on heart rhythms.
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
- The value of paying attention to emotional energy - chock full of science and stories. A useful guide.
- The Emotional Brain by Joseph Ledoux
- Neurophysiology wires emotional brain to be faster than cognitive. Lays out the neurophysiology of emotion - good background read. Be prepared for some serious science, Ledoux is a neuroscientist.
- Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness by David Steindl-Rast and Henri J. M. Nouwen
- The power of gratitude and appreciation.
Rest and Recovery
- The Healing Nutrients Within by Eric Braverman, MD
- How and why the lack of essential amino acids affects health and how to use them to influence energy and overall health and well-being.
- Living in Balance by Michelle and Joel Levy
- Great general resource for balanced living: covers mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of balance and inner strength, with scientific base.
- The Mood Cure by Julia Ross
- Guide to improving frame of mind through essential nutrients and amino acids. A formula for 'nutritional psychology'.
Spiritual
- Scriptures
- Including the Holy Books/practices of the world's major religions.
- Meditation practice
- Meditation has been shown through research to be valuable at down-regulating PTSD symptoms - a study done at the Denver VA.
- How to Know God by Deepak Chopra
- An interesting look at how the body, brain, belief, and spirit align around the human understanding of a spiritual life.
- The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer
- A spiritually-oriented book on the connection between thought and intention.
- The Four Agreements by Don-Miguel Ruiz
- Ruiz reviews how our beliefs and internal agreements shape our life and relationship with the world through our own word.
- A Spirituality Named Compassion by Matthew Fox
- Fox makes spiritual thinking accessible and practical.
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- A helpful way of understanding present moment awareness and how that relates to spirituality. This is a great book for returning combat vets and their families.
General Self-Help and Resourcing
- Animals
- Dogs and cats (or other critters) can be remarkably soothing and have been shown to lower blood pressure, ease anxiety, and provide solace to old and young alike. Taking care of animals adds responsibilities and pressures, so be aware. Generally, the upsides outweigh the downsides. Animals can freely provide unconditional love in ways that our fellow humans often cannot.
- Art and Music
- Both music and art can stimulate right brain activity, good for getting out of over-thinking and moving toward feeling 'connected'. Be aware of music that 'activates' you or creates negative thinking and/or moods.
- Community Activities
- Being part of something larger than you and contributing to your community's mission can be a valuable reintegration step. While many in your community may not understand your experience as a veteran or veteran's family member, they can still connect with you as a human being and community member.
- Exercise
- Extremely valuable for venting excess cortisol and redirecting energy, exercise can help to move beyond depression and vent aggressive, overly wired energies. Choice of exercise is very important depending on where you are. Wired? Stretching, swimming, tai chi, yoga, slow walks are all good. Flat? Weight lifting, up tempo walks, running, sports such as tennis are all good.
- Nature
- For many, being out in the woods, up in the mountains, or by the seashore will be restorative and healing. Some may find this uncomfortable or even scary, so the caveat, "Know Thyself." Nature is a powerful healer.
Self-Help CDs
- Holosync Solution by Centerepointe
- These and other brain entrainment CD's are both relaxing and potentially beneficial for those experiencing stress.
- Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
- Levine was one of the first to look at the 'animal' nature of trauma and what humans do and don't do with the energies of being under threat.
- Health Journeys by Belleruth Naparstek
- Variety of titles: wellness, stress and anxiety, depression and PTSD.
- Breathing: The Master Key to Self-Healing by Andrew Weil
- Weil's well-crafted CD takes listeners through the 'history' of breath training and a number of useful exercises.
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