10 Best Stress Management Books Of 2024 Recommended By Counselors
Last Update on March 1, 2024 : Published on March 2, 2024
We all have somehow accepted that stress is an inevitable part of our life, it cannot be properly removed or resolved but we can learn to manage it. Too much stress or chronic stress puts us at risk of developing severe mental health conditions such as depression, memory problems, and others.
In recent years, psychologists have brought various self-help techniques to combat stress on an everyday basis. Stress management books help in building a management routine which can help us in reducing stress regularly.
To help you choose the best and top stress management books, I have compiled a list of 10 best stress management books recommended by mental health professionals. So, let’s get started…
10 Best Stress Management Books
1. Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Author: Jon Kabat-Zinn
Published Year: 1990
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon | GoodReads
Ratings: 4.5/5
This book is best known for its meditation practices that help patients to deal with chronic illnesses. If you want to learn the basics of meditation to deal with stress, you can read this book. This book provides a terrific introduction to mindfulness and meditation that motivates readers to live in the moment and pay attention.
2. The Stress Solution by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
Author: Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
Published Year: 2018
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon | GoodReads
Ratings: 4.7/5
While researching, the writer of the book observed that 70%-90% of patient visits revolve around stress. Therefore, he worked on developing research-based techniques for stress management. The techniques covered in this book are focused on bringing small and positive changes that lead to healthy results in people. The book motivates people to adopt self-control and positivity which indirectly improves the overall quality of life.
3. The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for you, and How to get good at it by Kelly McGonigal
Author: Kelly McGonigal
Published Year: 2015
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon | GoodReads
Ratings: 4.6/5
Research says that around 44% of Americans tend to lose sleep because of stress. Through this book, the writer has tried to explain why stress is not always bad and has highlighted the new research evolved in stress management. Overall, this book can make people feel stronger, happier, and smarter. This book teaches how to embrace stress and techniques to reduce it.
4. The Self-Care Prescription by Dr. Robyn Gobin
Author: Dr. Robyn Gobin
Published Year: 2019
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon
Ratings: 4.6/5
Self-care is known to be one of the most effective and widely used techniques for combating stress. Indeed, self-care provides the best solutions. This book provides a deep knowledge of self-care related to spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and relational well-being. This book works best when someone wants to reach goals or increase their productivity. This book mostly focuses on logistics and helps in addressing a total spectrum of self-care. This book can also be read along with therapy sessions.
5. The Resilient Life
Author: Dr. Susan Biali
Published Year: 2022
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon
Ratings: 4.7/5
This book is a newly released book packed with scientifically proven stress management techniques. This book can help overcome all types of stress. This book mainly covers techniques related to life pressures, burnout, work, and other mental health challenges. The best part about this book is that it also focuses on mindfulness and self-control. It is one of the best self-help books to learn and practice mindfulness. It is written in an easy-to-use format which makes neuroscience-based techniques effective to rewire the brain.
6. When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Mate
Author: Gabor Mate
Published Year: 2003
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon | GoodReads
Ratings: 4.7/5
“When the Body Says No” is a groundbreaking book because it highlights the stories and struggles of real people. This book is written by bestselling author Gabor Mate. This book inspires people to be their own health advocates. The best part about this book is that it also covers the onset of some chronic illnesses like prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis, and breast cancer.
7. Zen as F*ck Journal by Monica Sweeney
Author: Monica Sweeney
Published Year: 2018
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon
Ratings: 4.7/5
If you are looking to learn about various stress management techniques in a witty way, this book is definitely for you. It is also fun and interactive. This book covers various journaling tips and techniques that can help you overcome stress easily. This book is beautifully designed but it does not cover in-depth topics. So, if you want to cover the basics of stress management, you can definitely opt for this book.
8. The Joy of Movement by Dr. Kelly McGonigal
Author: Dr. Kelly McGonigal
Published Year: 2019
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon | GoodReads
Ratings: 4.5/5
The writer of this book understood the psychology behind stress very well and really worked to provide the best management techniques. This is an evidence-based and research-based book that provides various techniques to fight off stress and increase joy. If you are looking to read something nice and easy, this book is definitely written for you. However, if you are struggling with chronic stress, we suggest looking for another book from the list.
9. Stress-Proof by Dr. Mithu Storoni
Author: Dr. Mithu Storoni
Published Year: 2017
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon | GoodReads
Ratings: 4.6/5
Stress-proof is one of the most detailed stress books available online and offline. Each page, section, and chapter of this book addresses and provides an effective technique to combat stress on an everyday basis. The best part about this book is that it has also discussed factors like cortisol, inflammation, and emotional triggers, which most of the writers usually have not covered yet. If you are ready to bring positive changes from today, read this book.
10. Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky
Author: Robert Sapolsky
Published Year: 1994
Purchase or Online Read: Amazon | GoodReads
Ratings: 4.6/5
This book is one of the most highly reviewed and rated books because it also covers other common mental health issues like personality disorders, sleep, addiction, and anxiety. The book explains why people get ulcers and why don’t animals don’t get ulcers. The writer has amazingly written the content to reduce the stress response in people and active problem-solving skills. This book is quite an old book but it is still read by many people around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is reading books effective for stress management?
Stress management books help in mitigating stress, work through your problems, and help you identify your goals. Therefore, yes, stress management books can be effective for managing stress on a regular basis.
What’s the best way to deal with stress?
Regular body movements, nutritious or healthy eating, stress management books, and self-care are some of the best and most effective ways to deal with stress.
I hope this blog helps you with the 10 best books on stress management. Comment down your pick from the list and do let us know how the book helped you to reduce or manage stress. For more such content, connect with us on all social media platforms.
Thanks for reading!
About The Author
Michael Vallejo
Michael received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Portland State University in 2010. He is a licensed clinical social worker with a private therapy practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He specializes in helping children and teens with mental health concerns. Michael is passionate about providing effective and compassionate care. He is an advocate for mental health awareness, and is the founder of Mental Health Center Kids, a website that provides resources and support for parents, teachers, and mental health professionals who care for children and teens.
