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The toughness model proposed in this book incorporates psychological research and neuroscience to explain how a variety of toughening activities - ranging from confronting mental and physical challenges to meditation - sustain our brains and bodies, and ultimately build our mental and psychological capacities degenerated by stress and by aging.

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Introduction 1. Toughness: An Opponent Process 2. The Basic Brain: Grand Structures 3. The Basic Brain: Neurons and Neurochemistry 4. Heredity, Genes, and Environment PART II - INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTERS 5-6: IMPACTS OF STRESSORS, AGING & OBESITY 5. Stress and Challenge: Kinds of Arousal 6. Long-term Stress: Stress Kills Neurons Too 7. The Aging of Brain: Not for Sissies 8. Fat and the Brain: Dumbing with Adiposity PART III - INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTERS 9-14: TOUGHENING AT LAST 9. Basic Toughness: Helplessness and Cold 10. Basic Toughness: Scandinavians and Exercise 11. Nurturance Toughens and Neglect Weakens 12. Cognitive Enrichment Toughens 13. Physical Exercise Toughens 14. Toughening Through Meditation PART IV - INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTERS 15-18 - APPLICATIONS OF TOUGHNESS 15. Toughness Affects Learning 16. Toughening Self Control and Mental Energy 17. Toughness, Emotional Control, and Therapy 18. Summary and a Full Model: It´s a Tough Life ?

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"Dientsbier´s work on physiological toughness has been seminal. This well-written, informative and, at times, humorous book complements those of Sapolsky and McEwen - a must read for those interested in resilience." - Jim Blascovich, Distinguished Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA

´Stress in our lives has a bad reputation. But the author marshals a vast amount of research literature to demonstrate that we can grow and become tougher from stress, with a resulting increase in our physical and mental capacities. This readable and highly informative book covers topics all the way from genetic, cellular, and endocrine functioning to helpful discussions of the popular literature on diet, exercise, meditation, mindfulness, and other lifestyle changes we can all make as we meet the challenges of our daily living.´ John W. Reich, Arizona State University, USA

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Richard A Dienstbier is Professor Emeritus and past Chair of the Psychology Department of the University of Nebraska, USA. For 24 years he was the Series Editor of the annual Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. His earlier papers and lectures defined toughness, but by emphasizing toughening impacts on the brain, this book updates and extends the concept.

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