Stress Less

Stress is a regular part of teenage life. Exams, college applications, big games, tough teachers, friction with friends, parents who seem not to understand, and the pressures of dating and social life all pile up week after week and can wear down mental health. This book argues that learning to manage that stress takes less time than many teens expect, and that about 20 minutes a day is probably enough.

The skills are simple to pick up and can be practiced anywhere, whether on the bus, at lunch or before bed. As readers see them working, they can build on them and take on more of their stress.

Michael A. Tompkins, PhD, a cognitive-behavioral therapist and stress expert, teaches concrete skills for handling stress and anxiety. They are organized by area of life, which the book calls stress domains: family, friends, dating, school, and tech and media. Since stress does not end with adolescence, the book also aims to help readers keep their balance and calm through the ups and downs of adult life.