You Are Not a Rock

A Step-by-Step Guide to Better Mental Health (for Humans)

By: Mark Freeman

Narrated by: Stephen Graybill

Mental health is...being yourself.

A prescriptive and positive guide, making the case that mental well-being, like physical health, can be strengthened over time and with specific techniques.

We all want to feel less anxiety, guilt, anger, and sadness. We want to obsess less and be less lonely, and free ourselves from our demons, compulsive habits, and stress. But as humans (unlike rocks), we experience all of these. And, paradoxically, trying to avoid and control them only makes things worse.

Having struggled with serious mental illness for many years himself, Mark Freeman has become a dedicated mental-health advocate and coach. He makes the case that instead of trying to feel less and avoid pain and stress, we need to build emotional fitness, especially our capacity for strength, balance, and focus. With wit, compassion, and depth of experience and anecdotes, he shows that we can recover from many mental disorders, from mild to very serious, at all ages and stages of life, and even if other methods have failed. Freeman's innovative approach makes use of a range of therapeutic techniques, mindfulness training, peer support, humor, and common sense.

©2018 Mark Freeman (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The best book, by far, I’ve read on mental health and fitness. Mark has become a trusted friend, thought-partner, and counselor. By reading this book, you too can gain a wealth of knowledge and actionable steps to live a richer, fuller, and more present life. I really couldn’t recommend it more.” (Brad Stulberg, coauthor of Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success)

“Mark Freeman has created a roadmap to calm the worried mind, chock-full of useful practices, no-nonsense strategies, and trench-harvested wisdom.” (Mark Wolynn, author of It Didn’t Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle)

“This sensible and highly practical approach to mental health offers a welcome antidote to the fear-based thinking that has become all too prevalent in our culture. Try some of Freeman’s exercises for yourself - you might be surprised by how readily even longstanding emotional roadblocks can be cleared away!” (Gail A. Hornstein, author of Agnes’s Jacket: A Psychologist's Search for the Meanings of Madness)

Great book!

I first found this audio book online at my library. I liked it so much, I decided to get my own copy. The author is witty and offers practical exercises. It also keeps my brain engaged so I don't spin so much on my thoughts during this challenging time.

I keep coming back to this one.

This book was a catalyst in my recovery from OCD and anxiety. Recovery is ongoing, but I’m in a much better place thanks to this. I reread it annually.

clearly and practical

discovering that you're not the only one dealing with similar issues, that there's normal people dealing with more extreme anxiety and stres then you are, you're not crazy.

Best book I've listened to on OCD/Mental Health

This book gives you the tools for your journey surrounding good mental health. The book does a fantastic job of outling how OCD comes about and can be fed power by your beliefs and actions. Ultimately the book outlines OCD as being resistance/fear of uncertainty. It also speaks of the importance of having your actions follow your 'values' rather then the whims of OCD and the power that gives you. Your brain will follow what you train it, whether that's to maximize OCD/poor mental health or to live according to your values with good mental health. As with anything it takes practice but ultimately the choice is yours.

A very helpful book with practical exercises

Someone struggling with Anxiety, OCD, and other mental issues will find this book very HELPFUL!!!
If you know someone struggling with mental issues, please give this audiobook to him/her. It will help them dramatically in regaining the mental health. Mark speaks with the authority of someone who struggled with many anxiety issues and was able to improve his mental health to the point of living a life free of them. I am not sure if he kill "The monster" or just tamed it, perhaps I will ask him in his YouTube channel this question.
Note to Mark: I hope this is one more of many more books to come to help all people struggling with mental issues.
Thank you for writing this book ! God bless you.

One of the best books I’ve ever read

This book has changed my life. I’m so thankful for Mark Freeman. I see the world so different now

Overall message

Amazing book from start to finish would definitely recommend to a friend! Enjoy the journey

For the sake of brevity...

This is probably the best book I’ve read on mental health to date. As a therapist, I try to stay on top of as many tools as possible. This book will help anyone who is ready for change!

best self help book

I love this book I've listened to it multiple times whenever I'm struggling with my mental health it reminds me that I am in control of my brain and to not necessarily always listen to my thoughts also creating new habits and recognizing unhealthy habits I recommend this to anyone struggling with mental health issues I myself have always dealt with bipolar manic depressive and anxiety I always describe myself as these things in this book he tells you that you are not that you are a person and those are actions and habits Love this book can't recommend it enough.

The best book on mental health that I have read!

For anyone looking for relatable and feasible tools to addressing anxiety or myriad other mental health concerns, read this book! I enjoyed the audio version so much that I bought a paper copy to reference back to (and would recommend so that you can go back to complete the exercises he lays out).