Relax & De-Stress

Articles In This Section

• Be Your Best Self

  What makes people happy? How can you boost your own happiness? This site has information and activities based on the science of positive psychology to help you succeed, make a difference, handle difficult emotions, and build good relationship skills.

• Managing Your Emotional Reactions

  People who do a good job of managing emotions know that it's healthy to express their feelings, but that it matters how they express them. Get tips in this article for teens.

• Relaxation Exercise: Loving Kindness Meditation

  This meditation helps us feel connected to and grateful for the people in our lives. Listen as we guide you through this meditation.

• Relaxation Exercises: Breathing Basics

  Breathing exercises help us slow down and relax. Let our audio recordings coach you through 3 simple breathing exercises: finger-count breathing, smiling breath, and belly breathing.

• Good Reasons to Smile

  Smiling on purpose benefits brain chemistry – and can boost our mood. But it only works if you smile in the right way. Find out how in this article for teens.

• The Power of Positive Emotions

  Scientists are learning that positive emotions have a powerful effect on our brains and bodies, helping us feel, and act, our best. Let this article help you tap into the power of positive emotions.

• 5 Ways to Cope When a Loved One Dies

  We all face grief at some point. Here are 5 ideas that might help you cope when someone you love has died.

• Choosing Your Mood

  Choosing your mood means being in control of it instead of feeling like it's controlling you. Here are tips on how to create the right mood to help you succeed at what you're trying to do.

• Gratitude

  Gratitude doesn't just feel good. Focusing on what's good in our lives can also be good for us. Find out how in this article for teens.

• Study Break Yoga (Video)

  Yoga is a great way to take a study break because it refocuses and re-energizes both the body and mind. This routine uses poses that work for teens.

• Welcome Home Yoga (Video)

  Unwind after a long day at school with this yoga routine for teens.

• Technology: 5 Ways To Reboot Yourself

  Sending and receiving messages late at night can disrupt your sleep and leave you tired and unfocused when it's time for school.

• Yoga: Meditation and Breathing

  Breathing and meditation techniques can have subtle but powerful effects on everything from stress to sports performance. Try these four techniques.

• Yoga for Stress Relief

  Yoga can help reduce stress because it promotes relaxation, which is the natural opposite of stress. These tips for teens can help you tap into yoga's stress-reducing benefits.

• 5 Tips for Surviving Shots

  If you're afraid of shots, you're not alone. Next time your doc asks you to roll up your sleeve, try these tips.

• 5 Ways to (Respectfully) Disagree

  These 5 tips can help you disagree with someone in a constructive way - without losing it or shying away from how you feel.

• 5 Ways to Get Drivers to Stop Texting

  If a texting driver is making you nervous but you're not sure how to bring the topic up, here are some ideas.

• 5 Ways to Ace a Job Interview

  Interviewing for a summer job or internship? Read our tips.

• 5 Ways to Beat Pre-performance Nerves

  Stressed out about speaking or performing in front of people? These tips can help you cope.

• Protecting Your Online Identity and Reputation

  The virtual world is full of opportunities to interact with people around the world. It's also a place where nothing is temporary and there are no "take-backs." Here are some tips for safeguarding your online identity.

• 5 Ways to Deal With Anxiety

  We all get worried or nervous about things. Here are 5 ways to control anxiety.

• 5 Ways to Shake Shyness

  If shyness is putting a hold on your social life, here are 5 ideas that might help.

• Yoga

  Looking for a workout program that's easy to learn, requires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while toning your body? Read about yoga - and watch our slideshow for some easy poses to try.

• T’ai Chi

  T'ai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art form. Like yoga in India, t'ai chi was developed to enhance both physical and emotional well-being.

• Why Exercise Is Wise

  Getting the right amount of exercise can rev up your energy levels and even help you to feel better emotionally. Find out why.

• How Much Sleep Do I Need?

  Teens need about 8-1/2 to more than 9 hours of sleep each night. But you might not be getting it. Here's why - and tips for getting more shut-eye.