Originally published in 1995, The Body Under Stress, reissued here with a new preface, seeks to define positive health, the skills needed to acquire it, and how to pass them on to others as part of education and counselling on health issues.

Most people now view health as “fitness” – a repertoire of skills or health behaviours, necessary to overcome: excessive workload; bereavement; reliance on alcohol, tobacco or other drugs; over-use of back or neck. While many of these behaviours are acquired informally, some need to be taught by health professionals. This need was being recognized at a time when health services were increasing their interest in the maintenance of health, in addition to the treatment of illness.

A scientific approach to positive health is relevant equally to medical and complementary health practices. The second half of this book examines the evidence that health behaviours can prevent illnesses such as: heart disease; ulcers; back injuries.

A comprehensive review of the research and development at the time, this book will still be of interest to many health professionals for whom patient education and counselling is a major part of their role. This includes many nurses, remedial therapists, clinical and health psychologists, and complementary practitioners. Such readers, and clients wishing to make better use of consultations with their doctors, will find this book an indispensable storehouse of information.

Ed Conduit practised as a clinical psychologist for 43 years, including eight years in acute hospital. He also taught speech therapists and consolidated his interest in language with a further degree in linguistics at Manchester University. Currently he leads an online course for the university of the third age called "English - the first 4,000 years".