The feeling of stress can sometimes be overwhelming or even paralyzing. And the common advice of "push through it" isn't always healthy. It might be better to go for some instant stress relief instead, with the help of one of these sites.

As with any such issue, we recommend you see a medical professional if you think it's serious. With this, it's best to figure out how stressed you are and take action accordingly.

All the sites listed here are completely free and offer different types of tools to help you calm your mind and take the next step.

1. Exhaler: Breathe In, Breathe Out

Breathing is one of those things that you don't really think much about, but this five-minute self-caring activity can change your mood. And the Exhaler app helps with that.

A large circle on your screen tells you how much to inhale and how much to exhale, slowing your breathing down. It sounds silly, but the visual reminder is just what you need to not think about anything else.

Exhaler also has settings for the yogic breathing exercises of pranayama and ujjayi. You can also change the settings as you want, including how long you want to hold a breath after inhaling or exhaling.

2. 247Buddy [No Longer Available]: Vent to a Stranger Online or Hear Someone Out

Good friends let you rant and rave all you want. But it's not anonymous. Neither is social media or enough other parts of the internet. 247Buddy gives you a safe space to anonymously vent to strangers.

This is a no-signup site with a clear purpose: chat without being judged. You can either be the person who rants, or the person who listens. It's up to you, but the idea is to have a judgement-free zone where you simply talk.

247Buddy does not save your chats or any data about you. Once you close a session, it's done. As the motto goes, "A place which doesn't judge you by your race, gender, age or sexual orientation, but rather tries to understand you."

3. Relax Online Stress Analyst: Step-by-Step Interactive Guide

When you are in a state of agitation, the last thing you want to do is make decisions. That's why this Stress Analyst web app, made by researchers, is a good place to start.

This guide will take you through a step-by-step program to relieve stress. It's only text, followed by a choice at the end of each step. For example, you'll need to choose what is causing stress, like a bad situation or a failure or a humiliation. Based on each choice, the app will give you different advice.

Take your time, go through it slowly, and you should come out the other side feeling calmer and more relaxed. It's a quiet activity, and an inconspicuous way to destress in an open office or public space.

4. The Quiet Place Project: Various Stress-Busting Apps in One Place

When there is too much chatter inside your head, head to the Quiet Place Project. It's one place with various stress-busting apps, all designed to put you at ease, like...

• The Quiet Place: An interactive exercise, with a thirty-second quiet time in the midst of it. And soothing background music to help.
• 90 Seconds Relaxation Exercise: More of that background music, played for 90 seconds, but no interaction.
• The Thoughts Room: Write out what is bothering you, and watch it explode into stars.

There are other similar sites like Pixel Thoughts to destress and clear your mind. But it helps to have all of them in one place at The Quiet Place Project.

5. GoZen: Stress Relief for Kids

It isn't only adults who get stressed out. Kids have their own anxieties to deal with, and GoZen is here to help them cope. The app makes it as easy as possible for children to understand how to relieve stress.

A series of five animated videos teach children that it's all right to feel worried or anxious. GoZen then helps them deal with these feelings in a healthy manner, rather than repressing them or acting out.

GoZen is completely free, as long as you sign up with your email. For worried parents or back-to-school stress busting, this site can change the game completely.

How Do You Relieve Stress?

Did you know that a team of researchers has identified the most relaxing song of all time? Marconi Union's Weightless is available for free, and perhaps the easiest five-minute stress-buster out there.

How do you relieve stress? How do you beat anxiety when your mind is clouded?

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