Problem
The Stressed Out Executive
Bill is a 41-year-old vice president of a software firm, he's experiencing work-related "tension" and a general feeling of exhaustion. He works about 60 hours a week and doesn't have a lot of time left over for his wife or two children, let alone social activity or exercise. He eats breakfast and lunch on the run, often fast food drinks about 4 cups of coffee a day, and a couple of glasses of wine with a late dinner. He watches late-night TV to wind down, has delayed sleep onset, and gets about 5 hours of sleep if he's lucky. In addition, there are occasional episodes of sleep terror that significantly disturb his sleep.
He saw a physician. The result of a battery of tests is all within normal levels. He is also negative for major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse.
Bill wonders if there's a vitamin or herbal preparation that will "give him his energy back" and a non-addictive medication to help him sleep. Before his frequent early morning presentations, he stops at the gas station on the way to work and buys a few energy drinks that he consumes in a 30-minute time span. Another problem Bill has is that he's not too happy with his 40-inch waist.
Bill is seeking an effective stress management approach to his problems. You agree to work with Bill. What approach will you recommend?