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In a new article from the NYT, 15 stress-reduction experts ("psychologists, counselors, neuroscientists and others") were asked for book recommendations, and the journalist put together this list of five. I included short excerpts about each. The entire article is at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/24/well/mind/books-stress-anxiety.html (Feeling Stressed? These 5 Books Can Help.) if you can access it without the paywall.


1. “Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It,” by Ethan Kross
In “Chatter,” Dr. Kross, the director of the Emotion & Self-Control Lab at the University of Michigan, offers tools to recognize and alter our inner monologues.

2. “Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life,” by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Dr. Kabat-Zinn developed mindfulness-based stress reduction, an evidence-based program combining meditation and yoga.

3. “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,” by Tricia Hersey
Tricia Hersey is the founder of the Nap Ministry, an organization that highlights the power of sleep and dreams — and their importance for the Black community, in particular.

4. “The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook,” by Martha Davis, Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman, and Matthew McKay
First published in 1980, and now in its seventh edition, “The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook” features a “comprehensive collection” of calming exercises, from meditation to muscle relaxation...

5. “Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind,” by Judson Brewer
A practical and easy-to-digest guide, “Unwinding Anxiety” explores “anxiety loops,” or cycles where someone experiences anxiety and avoids the trigger, resulting in increased anxiety.