A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled

By: Ruby Wax

Narrated by: Ruby Wax

Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

A longtime advocate of mental health awareness, Ruby Wax is no stranger to depression, a fact that is poignantly illustrated in her audiobook, Sane New World. Now she wants to share her vision of how to be happier and healthier versions of ourselves by embracing mindfulness - a simple concept that can seem challenging in regular practice, but this audiobook deftly illustrates a more accessible and sensible guide to finding peace in a hectic world.

Five hundred years ago no one died of stress: we have invented this concept, and now we let it rule us. Rest has become a dirty word, and our idea of satisfaction is answering the last email. We're sleepwalking through our own lives. Ruby Wax shows us how to wake up from this stupor with a scientific solution to modern problems: mindfulness.

Outrageously witty, smart and accessible, Ruby Wax shows ordinary people how and why to change for good. With practical exercises for your daily routine and a six-week course based on her studies of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy with Mark Williams at Oxford University, A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled is the only guide you need for a healthier, happier life.

©2016 Ruby Wax (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Neither touching nor adequately instructive

Poorly read with only chapters 6-8 providing any instruction about mindfulness. The rest is the authors sad path of agony and search for peace. I hope writing this has helped her. I just wish i hadn't paid to listen to it.

Excellent with just one flaw

Excellent listen with a great finish. Just one flaw for me is the description of exercises to do which goes on too long in audio version. It would be fine reading but not too great in audio.

You can't stop the sea but you can learn to surf!

Ruby Wax has done a great deal to promote Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), the ways of training your brain to behave in helpful ways. She has even completed a Masters in it, so she knows the science-based background to what she's talking about - which she does with laugh-aloud wit, empathy and sharp intelligence. You don't have to suffer from intermittent paralysing depression as Ruby has done throughout her life to find this both interesting and helpful. If you do suffer from depression, there are chapters on mental exercises to follow and, just as crucial, Ruby understands all those dreadful feelings which possess you and will make you understand that you're not alone, and you can learn to makes things more manageable. Even if you don't suffer from depression yourself, you probably know someone who does and listening to Frazzled will give you insight into what Ruby calls the 'disease' and could make you more understanding and more constructive in your sympathy.

Frazzled is also a study of the manic crazy world we have made for ourselves through stress, and listeners will probably be able to recognise themselves straightaway, caught in this vortex of choice and decision over-load from schools for your children to ice-cream flavours, and in the desperate race to compete, succeed, keep up and be Queen Bee all at the same time. If you can say you're happy in the present moment, then you're 'In the Zone,' but most people can't reach that Zone because of this all-enveloping stress. If this is you, Ruby's advice, anecdotes and examples (self-deprecatory, wickedly funny) will give you ideas for de-stressing. She knows all too well that it's not a matter of scented candles and so on, but proven mental strategies. She's not going to tell you how to change the unchangeable, but she will help you to cope with stress-induced miseries and defuse damaging behaviour like anger by recognising what's going on in your head.

It's right that Ruby should read this herself as she is so immersed in the subject, and she relates the struggle it was for her to complete the book during a very serious period of depression. Although known as a comedienne, this is Ruby as a real private woman and her voice can range from the high, fast zassy Personal Story narratives throughout, to soft, beaten down, struggling human being.

Get listening!

Brilliant

Would you consider the audio edition of A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version so cannot compare print versus audio. However Ruby reading her own book is wonderful, she brings it to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ruby, amazing storyteller.

Have you listened to any of Ruby Wax’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No but I will be getting Sane New World soon. I love her very personal conversational style.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Don't Get Depressed Get Ruby

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best books I have brought. It is a very recent acquisition but already she has made me smile and laugh. How can I feel depressed when I am laughing? She is a tonic and a terrific anti-depressant. Even though Ruby Wax has had a hell of a lot to contend with she has given depression and how to find your way out of it easy to understand and to do so for that I thank her very warmly.

Empathetic

As I listened it was quite amazing how what Ruby discussed could have been about me, in fact it felt like I should have written it but was pipped to the post. It was intelligent and absolutely clear in its complexity. I've always been a great fan and empathise with her journey. A must read/listen for the 'Frazzled'. Full of practical ways to tame the beast that is the mind/brain conundrum. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Fascinating, entertaining, gutsy and uplifting

Ruby Wax's latest offering is a must for anyone interested in depression, mindfulness and how to cope with the roadblocks thrown up by an increasingly complex world.

The author's narration amplifies the impact of the material and had me laughing out loud (which attracted a few funny looks in the gym!) and never left me less than thoughtful after every chapter. I don't have any kids, but even the chapters on using mindfulness with babies, kids and teens were engaging and informative.

The pinnacle of the book is Ruby's diary of her week of silent retreat, sandwiched between two brain-scans to determine whether mindfulness has any scientific/neurological basis. I won't spoil it with any revelations, but it was by turns gripping, hilarious and poignant.

A definite 'buy' from this reviewer.

A solid, but light hearted tour of mindfulness

What made the experience of listening to A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled the most enjoyable?

Ruby Wax has managed to shatter the ice surrounding the topic of mindfulness. Framed by her own experiences, she does what other authors have failed to do , and make mindfulness accessible and real. Great work!

What does Ruby Wax bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Authenticity in her personal experience

Frazzled

I really enjoyed this book. Ruby is very honest and shares lots of personal stories. Her delivery is fun whilst getting across what she wants to say about the great affect mindfulness can have upon you. I really enjoyed the section of the book on teenagers and why they react the way they do. Keep up the good work. Highly recommended. Thank you. X

Entertaining, pithy and inspiring

A practical explanation of mindfulness. It includes useful exercises, I particularly liked the Owl, and authentic feedback on how frustrating it can be to tame a wild mind.

Quality an issue

Well read, insightful, moving and funny. The exercises are really useful.

The only let down is the quality of the recording as it constantly skips and misses out words. I've downloaded it again with no improvement and I have no problems with other Audible books.

HEART WARMING AND HONEST

If you could sum up A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled in three words, what would they be?

I'm not one for finishing a book, despite my good intentions. However listening to this audio book was my answer. I was gripped to the end and by the end felt like I had actually learnt something. Mindfulness for children and teenagers very interesting.
I laughed out loud, whilst valuing Ruby's honesty. This book had everything for me.
I thoroughly recommend listening to this as an audio book...Ruby Wax reading this was captivating.

Good book for those searching for help

A good book and obviously comes from a place experience and no little education as well. Overall I was looking for a practical guide to mindfulness and getting into the process and this didn't fit that bill.

It does give a great deal of background on the process of mindfulness and why it is great for you.

If you are struggling with life and want to know what Mindfulness can do for you this book is for you. If you're already got the idea of mindfulness then this isn't your next step.