Life gets overwhelming for us all. Even browsing the internet can be taxing, with the vitriol of social media or the depressing news. Occasionally, we just need to step back, take a deep breath, and relax. What's the best way to do that?

One way to help yourself is to use relaxing websites. We've rounded up some of the most relaxing corners of the web; sites designed for nothing more than clearing your mind and being present.

1. Breathe Slowly

breathe slowly

Deep, slow breathing is proven to help ground you and keep you calm. This website guides you to exhale and inhale on cue, responding to the relaxing motions of the animation. You can customize the time intervals, color scheme, and whether to play audio.

2. Rainy Mood

rainy mood

Listening to the rain pouring down outside your window is incredibly relaxing. Trouble is, what if you live in a sunny climate or don't possess the power to control the weather? Enter Rainy Mood, a website which provides you with endless rain sounds. There's also an Android and iOS app, which makes for an excellent soundscape app to help you sleep.

3. Coffitivity

coffitivity

While some people like to relax or work in silence, others prefer the hubbub of a café. If that's you, then Coffitivity has you covered. Choose between different background tracks like Lunchtime Lounge and University Undertones. If you like the service and want access to more sounds, you can pay $9/year (cheaper than 365 coffees!), but there's certainly no obligation.

4. Silk

silk

Silk is interactive generative art. Hold down the left mouse button and move your mouse to create colorful and symmetric imagery. Use the tools in the top-left to change the colors (try blending them together too) and how many folds of symmetry there are.

5. Virtual Bubble Wrap

virtual bubble wrap

We all know the feeling of receiving something precious in the post and fixating more on the bubble wrap than the gift. There's something oddly satisfying about popping all those bubbles. This website recreates that joy; pop to your heart's content and turn your volume up.

6. Into Time

into time

While Into Time won't offer you the powers of the DeLorean, it will let you create interesting gradient art with the click of a button. To begin, press anywhere on the page; the screen splits, the colors transitioning back and forth. There's something curiously meditative about it.

7. Do Nothing for 2 Minutes

do nothing for 2 minutes

How often do you truly relax? To sit back and do absolutely nothing? This website, created by the company behind the Calm meditation app, challenges you to do just that. Simply do nothing for two minutes. Don't touch the mouse or press a key. If you do, the timer starts again.

8. A Soft Murmur

a soft murmur

A Soft Murmur lets you build your own ambient soundscape to wash away all your distractions. Choose your precise level of audio elements like rain, wind, fire, and birds. If you desire, enable the meander mode, which moves the volume of the active sounds at random. You can also set timers and save your custom mixes.

9. The Thoughts Room

the thoughts room

If there's a thought or feeling that you want to get off your mind, visit The Thoughts Room. You type in whatever you want and watch it fade away into the stars, becoming a distant memory. No-one sees what you type. You'll find it amazing at how transformative typing your thoughts can be.

10. Dog GIF Page

dog gif page

A dog is man's best friend, so of course there's an entire website brimming with dog GIFs. As you scroll and flick through the pages, these animated pooches are sure to relax you and put a smile on your face. Your worries with the world? Gone, thanks to dogs.

11. Drive & Listen

drive and listen

If you're the type of person who likes watching the world go by in a car, head over to Drive & Listen. This site streams videos taken inside cars from cities across the world. You choose where you want to be transported to. You can also flick between different radio stations and enable street noise.

12. Explore

explore

Thanks to the power of the internet, you don't need to leave your chair to witness incredible landscapes and exotic animals. Explore is a livestreaming website that broadcasts the world. Oceans, African wildlife, bears, puffins, beaches, and so much more. There's even a section dedicated to zen cameras.

13. This Is Sand

this is sand

This Is Sand lets you build your own artistic masterpiece from virtual sand. Hold your left mouse button and sand flows from it, dropping to the bottom of the screen and slowly mounting. If you want to change the color of the sand, click the circle in the top-right. Patience is key here; browse the homepage for some inspiration on what you could make.

14. Make Everything OK

make everything ok

If only there was a magic button that would make everything okay. Well, your wish is granted. Go to this website, push the button, and wait for all your worries to be solved. Okay, this doesn't do much more than that, but it's an amusing distraction that will take your mind off your worries for a minute.

15. Imagination

imagination

Imagination leaves a lot to your... you guessed it, imagination. Or maybe it's a representation of what our imaginations look like. Regardless, just move your mouse across the screen and beams of color fly out, spinning across the darkness in neon glory. You can't control anything more than that. Switch off your mind, relax, and let the colorful imagery wash over you.

Mobile Games Can Help You Stay Calm

These websites are some of the most relaxing corners on the internet. When you're feeling on high alert and need a time-out to cool down, load one of these sites and they're sure to calm you. Bookmark them for easy access.

There are also plenty of mobile games you can download to help you relax when you're on the go—perhaps on a busy train or on a break at work.