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.
1
. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
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
