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10 Best Stress Management Books for 2022

Published: April 14, 2022
Published: 04/14/2022
Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • The Stress-Proof Brain1.
  • Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?2.
  • Mindfulness for Stress Management: 50 Ways to Improve Your Mood and Cultivate Calmness3.
  • Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle4.
  • Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking5.
  • Who Moved My Cheese?6.
  • Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and It’s All Small Stuff7.
  • The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook8.
  • The Strengths-Based Workbook for Stress Relief9.
  • The Self Care Prescription10.
  • When to See a Therapist for StressSee a Therapist
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP

Stress is a natural part of life, but chronic, constant stress can cause lasting damage and be difficult to resolve. Dealing with stress usually means not only removing the stressors, but addressing the underlying cause. These books on stress management are for anyone who feels like they can’t keep up.

For our audience’s convenience, we include links to Amazon so recommended books can be easily purchased. Choosing Therapy may earn a commission from Amazon when purchases are made using the links on this page. Read more about our high editorial standards and advertising policy.

1Stress Proof Brain. The Stress-Proof Brain

It’s not always the stress itself that wreaks havoc on us – it’s how we respond to that stress. Negative thinking, self-criticism, and tunnel vision may seem like natural ways to react to stress, but those reactions won’t get you far if you’re looking to manage stress in healthy ways.

Psychologist Melanie Greenberg combines ancient soothing techniques with systematic, scientific information about the way the brain works. This results in the resilience needed to navigate stressful times.

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before2. Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?

Mental health and stress are intertwined; if you understand how to manage one, you’ll likely make strides with the other. Dr. Julie Smith’s book offers compassionate advice and insight into the most common mental health issues, including coping with stress, drawn from her years as a clinical psychologist. It offers coping techniques and resilience-building exercises to help stressed readers navigate life’s ups and downs while still maintaining a level of content and peace.

Mindfulness for Stress Management3. Mindfulness for Stress Management: 50 Ways to Improve Your Mood and Cultivate Calmness

Mindfulness, like any other skill, takes practice and time. This workbook is designed to help you do exactly that. It provides 50 ways to relax and manage your stressful emotions so you can continually find peace, even in difficult times.

It’s even broken up by types of stress, so whether you’re worried about your family, your job, or other issues, you can find what you need.

Burnout4. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

This female-focused book was written to tackle sexist expectations of women in work and life, and why women experience deep levels of burnout. If you constantly struggle with not feeling good enough, smart enough, or pretty enough, you’ll appreciate this witty, informative book.

This book features sections on body image, stress, and stress management tips and techniques to help you move out of the cycle of stress and into a relaxed, confident state.

Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess5. Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking

Chronic stress can make your thoughts feel cluttered, chaotic, and out of control. Finding peace is challenging when there’s a lot to clean up, like taking out the trash for the first time in weeks.

Dr. Caroline Leaf offers five proven techniques to help you “declutter” your mind. Her scientifically-proven methods help you dissolve negative thinking, toxic thoughts, and more.

Who Moved My Cheese6. Who Moved My Cheese?

Psychologist Dr. Spencer Johnson uses an interesting, if not confusing at first, metaphor about cheese to illustrate how we react to change getting in the way of things we want. Like mice drawn to cheese, we all have goals we want to accomplish—in work, life, and relationships. That cheese is that goal, but often in life, something keeps moving the cheese, making it harder and harder to find.

How we react to that change, Dr. Johnson argues, determines how we react to stress. His book offers easy ways to anticipate and adapt to that stress in healthy ways. That way, you can finally get your cheese and eat it too.

Great Self-Care Gift Ideas For Yourself 


The 6-Minute Diary – Keeping a journal promotes mindfulness, happiness, and gratitude. The 6-Minute Diary uses the principles of positive psychology to inspire and encourage you to live your best life. Available in 7 Colors


Mindfulness.com – Learn the art of mindful living with over 2,000 mindful practices to train your brain. Stress less, sleep better, and deal with anxiety. Free Trial


Sunnyside – Want to drink less? Sunnyside helps you ease into mindful drinking at your own pace. Think lifestyle change, not a fad diet. Develop new daily routines, so you maintain your new habits for life. Take a 3 Minute Quiz.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Amazon, Mindfulness.com, and Sunnyside.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff7. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and It’s All Small Stuff

You’re stressed, strung out, and someone has the audacity to tell you “don’t let the little things get to you.” At the moment, that’s about as helpful as a chocolate teapot. However, in practice, it can actually be a useful piece of advice, provided you go about it the right way.

Richard Carlson outlines exactly what it means to not stress the little things, including letting go of perfection, being in the present moment, and more. The little things often make up the big things, and when that stack gets too high, this book provides tips and tools to get back on track and shift your perspective.

The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook8. The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook

If you’re constantly struggling with stress, chances are very high it’s rooted deeper than simply a “stressful day.” Long-term anxiety and phobias can cause constant stress that can only ease once the underlying causes have been addressed.

This therapist-recommended workbook is good for those who suspect their stress is actually anxiety. It offers practical advice and exercises to help you navigate your mental health.

The Strengths based workbook for stress relief9. The Strengths-Based Workbook for Stress Relief

This psychologist-written workbook features evidence-based guides for reducing your daily stress response. First, you’ll identify your positive strengths and how to use them effectively when life feels overwhelming. Roosted in positive psychology and filled with helpful tips, techniques, and strategies, this book is a great resource.

Self Care Prescription10. The Self Care Prescription

Stress often grows from a lack of self-care; when we’re giving ourselves enough time to rest, doing things we enjoy, and taking care of our physical health, we’re more likely to be more resilient to life’s stressful situations.

If you struggle with self-care and are looking for more advice beyond bubble baths and cozy blankets (not that they don’t have their place in a self-care regimen), this thorough guide outlines how to incorporate more self-care into every aspect of your life, including work, health, and more.

When to See a Therapist for Stress

All the bubble baths in the world can’t resolve chronic stress if what’s creating the stress in the first place isn’t addressed. A therapist can help you evaluate your life and determine what life changes you can make to alleviate some of those chronic stressors. And, if you suffer from toxic levels of stress due to anxiety, depression, or other mental illness, speaking to a therapist may help. Here’s how to find one in your area.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Learn Mindfulness & Meditation Techniques

Mindfulness.com – Change your life by practicing mindfulness. In a few minutes a day, you can start developing mindfulness and meditation skills. Free Trial

Online Therapy 

BetterHelp – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy.  Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Mental Health Newsletter

A free newsletter from Choosing Therapy for those interested in mental health issues and fighting the stigma. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign Up

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry – Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty, experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Mindfulness.com, BetterHelp, and Talkiatry.

For Further Reading

  • Anxiety Books for those looking to learn how to build more resilience
  • Which app is better for stress management: Headspace vs Calm
  • Looking for a little help? Check out the best online therapy options available

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Headshot of Melissa Boudin, PsyD
Written by:

Melissa Boudin

PsyD
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • The Stress-Proof Brain1.
  • Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?2.
  • Mindfulness for Stress Management: 50 Ways to Improve Your Mood and Cultivate Calmness3.
  • Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle4.
  • Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking5.
  • Who Moved My Cheese?6.
  • Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and It’s All Small Stuff7.
  • The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook8.
  • The Strengths-Based Workbook for Stress Relief9.
  • The Self Care Prescription10.
  • When to See a Therapist for StressSee a Therapist
  • Additional ResourcesResources
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