You’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed. What are the best online resources to help you manage it?

Headspace is one of my favorite apps for the guided meditation courses, but one of the best aspects & hidden gems of this app is the sleep stories! When I find myself struggling to fall asleep, mainly because I need to quiet my stressed-out mind, I put on a sleep story. My favorite go-to is the Cat Marina a 45-minute story that includes a wind down, deep breathing, and of course a soothing voice and ambient background music. I would say 9 times out of 10 I'm asleep within minutes of starting this and I have never gotten to the end.

Stress is caused by anxiety Wise words give confidence, courage and hence great books play a vital role here. My favourites: Eckart Tolle’s : Power of Now and Stillness speaks … each word acts as a potential relaxant! Norman Vincent Peale’s books especially the Power of Positive thinking. Though not directly stress related, all of his books are so filled with relatable life examples that I consider his collection the most authentic guide to holistic, happy, ethical and successful living Stephen covey’s, 7 habits of highly effective people is maybe a productivity/ self improvement book but is full of life wisdom. Rhonda Byrne’s Secret inspires confidence too Vivekananda’s teachings, Be water my friend by S Lee- all help

I am a lover of personal development books of all kinds. Listening or reading ways to decrease my stress, anxiety and overthinking is highly beneficial in helping me to overcome my anxious thoughts and habits. Books such as, Unfu*k Yourself by Gary Bishop, You are a Bada** by Jen Sincero are two the most recent ones I have finished reading. Books like these help you not only to reframe your situation, but let you know you not alone in dealing with stress and anxiety, and provide a means of self-reflection, self-discovery and strategies to overcome stressful situations. I also recommend books by Brene Brown and Mel Robbins.

Soothing audio plus videos play a huge role in stress relief Infact some study on YouTube reported a Gen Z trend - increasingly seeking relief in soothing videos to destress and lull themselves to sleep. Nature videos like the relaxing deep underwater or beautiful lush forests or majestic mountains and pretty flower filled valleys, gentle waterfalls accompanied by gentle soothing music - streamed on the big screen are the best ways to destress and relax. Nature sounds like waterfalls, chirping birds also have a calming effect on the mind A new discovery of the current generation is ASMR - autonomous sensory meridian response - a relaxing automatic brain response similar to how one feels after meditation and mindful practices

In my opinion, when feeling overwhelmed and stressed, leveraging online resources like mindfulness meditation apps such as Headspace or Calm can offer invaluable guidance in relaxation techniques. Additionally, exploring virtual yoga classes and spatial sound therapy can provide complementary methods for managing stress effectively. Incorporating these diverse online tools into a routine fosters a holistic approach to well-being, aiding in the restoration of balance and tranquility amidst life's challenges.

Stress prevention isn't straightforward, but incorporating calming exercises into your routine, such as meditation, breathwork, and affirmations, can significantly contribute to maintaining a calm state of mind overall. However, in moments of acute stress, one of the most effective strategies is to revert to breathing exercises. These immediately impact your heart rate and can help calm you down overall. For example, try breathing in through your nose for 4 seconds and out for 8 through pursed lips. Take a second between the inhale and exhale, and focus on the silence in that moment.