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These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch

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Google teamed up with more than 1,200 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world.

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Best beginner-friendly video games for your coronavirus lockdown

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Best beginner-friendly video games for your coronavirus lockdown

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Editors independently select all products and services featured here. If you buy something through our links, we may receive a commission.

For better or for worse, social distancing because of coronavirus is turning a lot of you into gamers.

But fear not! Because video games contain multitudes and playing them can bring so much value to your life, whether or not you've ever considered yourself a "gamer." And anyway, the New York Times gave us the official OK to game without guilt now, so what's stopping us?!

Truly, the mainstream concept of what video games are is such a narrow subset of the wide, wonderful world of interactive entertainment available out there. Games can help us live richer lives, and there's plenty of great ones for all experience levels. But your Beautiful Gaming Future does have one big roadblock: On the whole, the video game industry does a pretty bad job of making newcomers know they're welcome.

That's where we come in.

Basically anyone can enjoy the many fantastic games on this list, even if you barely know how to hold a controller. They're able to be played on a variety of platforms that you very likely already own. Our exhaustive guide into gaming for beginners also spans many genres and interests, so there's something for everyone.

It's all especially escapist as the world experiences an array of lockdown orders, from staying at home, but still going to the grocery store and exercising outside whenever you please, in the U.S., to more restrictive rules in Italy and India. Video games transport us into different worlds and bring us together in ways other mediums can't. And right now - facing the uncertainties, terror, loneliness, and boredom of a deadly pandemic - that's exactly what we all need.

Perfect Puzzlers

Who it's for or why it's perfect: The lols of being an absolute shit to your neighbors.

What it is: Listen, I know we all need togetherness, loving thy neighbor and all that to beat this thing. But there's also a lot of reasons to feel angry about what's happening. Untitled Goose Game simply and brilliantly allows you to be a goose with one goal: wreak utter havoc upon an innocent neighborhood. We sorely need the petty satisfaction of the game's now-iconic HONK button more than ever before.

Multiplayer/online play: None.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Mac, PC

Price: $19.99

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Those of us grieving the precious, singular beauty of the Italian countryside.

What it is: An old man's seemingly simple trek across the beautiful hills and bustling towns of an Italian-inspired landscape takes on new meaning in a post-pandemic world. When Italy went on lockdown, leaving its historic and iconic streets empty, the gravity of COVID-19 seemed to finally hit the world at large. But though we can't turn away from the nightmarish horrors our European brethren are facing, we also can't forget the value of the life they are all fighting to return to when all of this is over.

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android, PC, Mac

Price: $4.99 - $9.99 (depending on platform)

Wattam

Who it's for or why it's perfect: We need to know there's a light at the end of this all-consuming, world-ending sinkhole.

What it is: Another humor-based puzzler, Donut County is about a trash-talking raccoon not taking responsibility for the destruction he's bringing by sucking everyone and everything in his wake into an inescapable pit of nothingness (you know, like a lot of our world leaders right now). It's also low-key about gentrification in Los Angeles, and the struggle to survive a winner-takes-all economy. So all in all, very relatable. Plus holes are, like, real fun!

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Price: $4.99-12.99 (depending on platform and sale)

Monument Valley 1 and 2

Who it's for or why it's perfect:Puzzle lovers who appreciate gorgeous hand-drawn art.

What it is: Similar to Monument Valley, Gorogoa is another testament to games as art that's super accessible and literally hands-on. The controls are a bit more demanding than the simplicity of a touch screen, but not by much. And it's easy to lose yourself (and worries) in the blissful beauty of it all.

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, iOS, PlayStation 4, Android, Xbox One, PC, Mac

Price: $4.99 - $14.99 (depending on version and sale)

Alternate worlds with much-needed distractions

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Anyone with a soul who needs wholesome fun, friendship, and something to look forward to when they wake up in the morning.

What it is: If you've been online at all since March 20, you've probably been bombarded by screenshots of your friends talking about this virtual medicine. In this life simulator, one does not "do" much of anything. You vibe. You build a beautiful community of animal friends on an island by exchanging gifts with them, decorating the town and your house with furniture, collecting resources, fishing, planting flowers and fruit trees, and paying off your house loan (but that's a little too real right now). The most unique quality of Animal Crossing also makes it most ideal for escaping the horrors of existence during the pandemic: Everything happens in real-time. That means it reflects our IRL 24-hour days and 12-month seasons (based on your time zone), with special events and items tied to specific times of the day, and even holidays like Easter and Christmas. So when spending another second in the real world starts feeling unmanageable, or you get sad about missing an event, turn to Animal Crossing, where your biggest worry is that your neighbor's upset you haven't talked to her in a week. For newcomers to the series, we suggest looking up some guides, especially week-one walkthroughs.

Multiplayer/online play: Oh my god yes! One of the best features is visiting and meeting up with up to eight friends at once on their own islands via online multiplayer. People have been even having virtual birthday parties and weddings through Animal Crossing while social-distancing.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Price: $59.99

Stardew Valley

What it is: Stardew Valley is one of those peaceful and relaxing games set in an idyllic village where the only main concerns are working on your farm, exploring a mine, and making friends with neighbors. While it is a pretty easy-going game, you can quickly ramp up your production and make your days much more involved as you expand animal stocks, increase your growing operations, and delve deeper into the dangerous tunnels of the mines. Getting swept up in it requires a lot of attention, which is perfect for times like these. [Editor's Note: This description was written by Entertainment Reporter Kellen Beck]

Multiplayer/online play: The multiplayer is also one of its best features to stave off the loneliness of social-distancing, though playing multiplayer is more of a process and changes the gameplay.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, Xbox One, iOS, Mac, PC

Price: $7.99 - $14.99 (depending on version)

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Recreate a virtual version of your non-quarantine life that you can control like a god!

What it is: A classic that just celebrated two decades of bringing joy to players from all walks of life (especially those who don't usually play games), The Sims is, as the name suggests, the original life simulator. You create either a single Sim or family and control their daily activities, love lives, careers, and everything in between. As you might imagine, The Sims is the perfect way to regain a sense of control during real-life existential crises, whether it's moving in with your boyfriend or not being able to see your family because of COVID-19.

Multiplayer/online play: No multiplayer, but you can definitely play around with virtual versions of all your friends and family.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mac, PC

Price: $39.99 (but we recommend springing for bundles with expansion packs if you're going to be playing a lot)

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Kids or parents who want to join them in an activity with endless creative potential, possibility, and playtime.

What it is: Kind of...everything? Minecraft is a virtual sandbox so, aside from the very beginning and core game loop of building shelter and surviving, it can be anything you make it. Seriously, though, the sheer amount of ways you can play with its basic building blocks are staggeringly endless and vast. Aside from the game itself, there's also a thriving community, from YouTube to forums, with instructions on different things to try, create, and push its boundaries to the limit. (Though, as always, be very careful about what your kids are watching on YouTube). Minecraft is even used as an education tool in the classroom, particularly for coding and engineerings skills. Poland already took steps to make the already extremely popular game the perfect way to encourage kids to social distance (and not drive their parents insane).

Platforms: Java, iOS, Android, PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, Playstation 4 (basically anything, so check out how to play and what versions you can buy here)

Price: Free to download

Pokémon Go

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Nostalgia-seekers looking for a comforting, fun, mindless, and passive distraction.

What it is: Pokémon Go created a revolutionary new genre of games, as an augmented reality mobile game that lets you catch Pokémon that appear in the real world through your phone. What made it so wonderful and different at first, requiring people to go out into the real world and interact, is also unfortunately the antithesis to social-distancing. But developer Niantic created a clever work around with features that allow people to keep playing from home. It's introduced all sorts of new gameplay elements, and you love to see a company acting quickly and responsibly to the needs of a pandemic.

Multiplayer/online play: Online multiplayer is kinda the whole thing! You'll meet randos on your journey, but can also exchange gifts and Pokémon with friends.

Platforms: iOS, Android

Price: Free to download

Needed narratives

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Anyone who needs a laugh while trying to cope with mental health issues, economic stress, and the hell of the boomer vs. millennial generational gap.

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Price: $11.99 - $19.99 (depending on platform and sale)

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Caged-in outdoorsy types yearning to feel lost and directionless in the world, but in a good way.

What it is: In the wake of stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders across California, people flocked to nature, leading to crowded beaches and trails that negated the point of social distancing. Now trails are closed in Los Angeles. And locked inside our houses, we all miss the experience of feeling small in the woods. Well, here's a hike. To boot, in A Short Hike you're not just some measly human exploring the outdoors and all the quirky characters contained within it. You're literally free as a bird, letting your wings soar with no fear of COVID-19.

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Platforms: PC, Mac

Price: $7.99

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Those who miss coffee shops, random encounters, and people-watching from normal city-living.

What it is: Setin a near-future Seattle, Washington during a time of great crisis (uncomfortably relatable, I know), you're a coffee shop barista serving its population of magical beings (OK, a little less relatable). Described as a "heart-to-heart talking simulator," you get windows into their lives and problems - all while making their favorite caffeinated beverages. What's particularly nice about Coffee Talk right now is how it shows that, despite whatever turmoil is happening, life continues. The world's problems certainly impact us, but people (or fantasy creatures in this instance) are still always people. We all keep dealing with the same daily issues, big and small. And that normalcy is kind of...nice?

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac

Price: $12.99 (but there'sa free demo for PC and Mac)

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Because we all want to believe in building a better future after all of this.

Platforms: PC, Mac

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Price: Name your price (we recommend a couple bucks to support creators who might very well be struggling right now)

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Artsy types who need to lose themselves in a narrative of strange truths, visual beauty, and unsolvable problems.

What it is: It's not for everyone, and it's hard to even describe what Kentucky Route Zero is, exactly. But trust its countless accolades to know that it's worth playing the experience to see for yourself. Through a backdrop of melancholic Americana and magical realism, Kentucky Route Zero gets to the heart of the existential dread that is the underbelly of the American existence. If you feel lost, unheard, unseen, forgotten, and like you just keep driving and getting nowhere, this one's for you.

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Price: $24.99

Who it's for or why it's perfect: A connection to the mythic, with the life-affirming sense of awe, wonder, and humanity that comes with ancient storytelling.

What it is: Journey won just about every major award available in 2012 for good reason. A virtual adaptation of Joseph Campbell's famous Hero's Journey narrative structure, your mission is both simple and vast. The last of your kind, you must reach the peak of a mountain, soaring through a gorgeous sand desert and overcoming all the challenges a hero must face. We also recommend checking out its iOS spiritual successor, called Sky: Children of the Light, which is like a more expansive mobile vision of this one's core values (particularly wholesome social interaction).

Multiplayer/online play: The co-op option in Journey revolutionized what we thought multiplayer games were capable of. Instead of the typical cespool cesspool of nastiness you expect from online games, in Journey you're joined by only one other random player from anywhere in the world. You both remain anonymous, genderless, faceless strangers, with no ability to communicate other than through chirps. You survive this gorgeous and harrowing experience together, developing such heartwarming feelings for each other that players even started making hearts in the sand to express their gratitude for one another.

Platforms: PlayStation, iOS, PC

Price: $4.99 - $14.99 (depending on platform)

Telltale's The Walking Dead: Season 1

Who it's for or why it's perfect: A reminder of what we're fighting for when we fight a seemingly world-ending virus.

What it is: Don't let the AMC TV show and its endless seasons turn you off from trying this one. Based on the comic books, the first season of Telltale's Walking Dead was a massive success that revived the choose-your-own-adventure style video game. Now, with a pandemic bringing impossible moral choices onto our doorsteps, its story feels more relevant than ever. Just don't expect the excellence of its first season to carry into any of the others, since the lead designers that made it great left shortly after it launched in order to create an independent studio that went on to create our next recommendation.

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac

Price: $14.99

Just chillin'

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Nature lovers and botanists.

What it is: Before there was Journey, there was Flower. For those expecting anything typical, it will be underwhelming, as you are just wind in a field, helping flowers pollinate. It's a simple, meditative experience, though. And aside from bringing us back into the world we're locked away from right now, it might also help some of us understand how easily air-borne things can spread (ergo, why social distancing matters so much!)

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Platforms: Playstation 4, iOS, PC, Mac

Price: $4.99 - $6.99 (depending on platform and sale)

Who it's for or why it's perfect: Deep sea divers who miss their oceans.

What it is: Another meditative explorer, Abzu lets you swim through a beautiful underwater world with little to no goals or end. There's a freedom in its boundless aimlessness now more than ever, and it's a feast for the eyes.

Multiplayer/online play: Nope.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Price: $12.99 - $19.99 (depending on platform and sale)

Who it's for or why it's perfect: All of us.

What it is: You know lo-fi hip hop radio on YouTube? Now imagine that vibe, but in a world where all you do is send and receive letters with comforting words from real-life anonymous strangers (see my example above). Don't worry, it's moderated for errant nastiness, and also provides mental health resources right there in the game. You can either fulfill people's requests for help or ask for help yourself. The conceit of Kind Word s (which came out last September before any of this, if you can believe it) is that we're all a little scared and vulnerable. But that means we also have the power to make each other feel better. All you need to do is ask, and give.

Multiplayer/online play: Of course. We're all in this together, but online.

Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux

Price: $4.99

Topics: animal-crossing-new-horizons, coronavirus, Entertainment, Gaming

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Best beginner-friendly video games for your coronavirus lockdown

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Editors independently select all products and services featured here. If you buy something through our links, we may receive a commission. For better or for worse, social distancing because of coronavirus is turning a lot of you into gamers. But fear not!

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In This Article

Stress can directly manifest in damaging effects on the body, and indirectly augment health problems. Additionally, there are many harmful physiological changes due to chronic stress (also see Defining Stress). Our abilities to make healthy food choices can also become compromised under stress. Instead of reaching for a tub of ice cream, knowing what healthy options are available, we can utilize the calming properties of herbal supplements and teas and healthful foods.

Calming Food and Herbs in Chinese Medicine: Integrative Nutrition

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts of nutrition not only highlights the choice of appropriate foods but also emphasizes the interactions between different active ingredients, as well as the relationship between food and the energy of the body. Wellness can be achieved through restoring a state of balance as discussed in Achieving Balance Through the Art of Eating: Demystifying Eastern Nutrition and Blending it with Western Nutrition. TCM links the "heat" syndrome (including palpitation, red face, anxiety, insomnia, constipation, and migraine/headaches) to stress, and prescribes "cooling" foods to decrease the stress-induced "heat" and restore balance.

One of the therapeutic modalities mentioned in Stress Management is to adopt a nutritious diet. Proper diet can counterbalance the impact of stress by strengthening the immune system, stabilizing moods, and reducing blood pressure.
Important Nutrients for Stress-Reduction

Vitamin C: Consuming foods high in vitamin C, such as oranges and other citrus fruits, can reduce stress and boost the immune system. Intake of this vitamin can help lower the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and blood pressure during high-anxiety situations.

Complex Carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, can induce the brain to increase serotonin production and stabilizing blood pressure as a way to reduce stress.

Magnesium: Obtaininganadequate amount of magnesium is essential for avoiding headaches and fatigue. Oral magnesium can also successfully relieve premenstrual mood changes. Additionally, increased magnesium intake has been found to improve sleep quality in older adults. Healthy sources of magnesium include spinach or other leafy greens, salmon, and soybeans.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fatty fish (such as salmon and tuna) and nuts and seeds (such as flaxseeds, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce surges of stress hormones and also confer protection against heart disease, depression, and premenstrual syndrome.

Healthy Comfort Foods

Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate can not only satisfy your taste buds, but it can also help relieve stress at the molecular level. Additionally, cocoa can also improve cognitive function and mood. Researchers also found that daily dark chocolate consumption can be beneficial for individuals suffering from high levels of anxiety.

Oatmeal: Certain comfort foods, such as oatmeal, can reduce levels of stress hormones and also result in a boost in serotonin, which stimulates a feeling of calmness.

Herbal Supplements and Teas
Here are the herbs and teas that are commonly used for calming effect and reduce stress-related insomnia, anxiety or anger.

Chamomile is popular for its easy availability and wide range of healing properties. It is often used to relieve stress-induced symptoms such as insomnia and gastrointestinal disorders.

Mint is commonly used to relieve stress and induce calmness. Peppermint oil's relaxation-promoting properties on gastrointestinal (GI) tissue and its analgesic and anesthetic effectshave been found in past studies. However, individuals suffering from GI reflux, hiatal hernia, or kidney stones should practice caution when using peppermint oil therapy.

Barley tea has proven effective in relaxing the body. Its capability to relieve stress is thought to derive from its contribution of tryptophan, an amino acid necessary for sleep and synthesizing serotonin - a neurotransmitter essential in the regulation of sleep and mood.

Passionflower is marketed for its ability to treat sleep disorders, nervous tension, and anxiety. A recent study found that passionflower was as effective as oxazepam, a prescribed anxiolytic drug, in treating patients with anxiety disorders.

Valerian root is sometimes used for treating anxiety and insomnia. While contradictory scientific research exists, this herbal supplement is considered safe when used appropriately over a short time period of less than one month.

References

1. INTRO - Stress and Food Choice: A Laboratory Study. Psychosomatic Medicine. In this 2000 study that experimentally investigated the effects of acute stress on food choices in a laboratory setting, researchers found that stress did not alter the overall intake of food but, "stress emotional eaters ate more sweet high-fat foods and a more energy-dense meal than unstressed and nonemotional eaters." The authors of the study concluded that stress "may compromise the health of susceptible individuals through deleterious stress-related changes in food choice."

2. VITAMIN C - Vitamin C: Stress Buster. Psychology Today. A study of 120 individuals subjected to the stressors of public speaking combined with math problems found that the subjects given 1,000 mg of vitamin C reported experiencing less stressed during these tasks. Additionally, the group that did not receive the vitamin supplement had significantly greater levels of the stress hormone cortisol and higher blood pressure.

3. COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES - Diets for stress management slideshow: Stress-reducing foods, Slide 3: Complex Carbohydrates. WebMD. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, can help reduce stress by inducing the brain to increase serotonin production and stabilizing blood pressure.

4. MAGNESIUM

5. OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS - Diets for stress management slideshow: Stress-reducing foods, Slide 7: Oily Fish. Fatty fish (such as salmon and tuna) and nuts and seeds (such as flaxseeds, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce surges of stress hormones and also confer protection against heart disease, depression, and premenstrual syndrome.

6. DARK CHOCOLATE

Cocoa and Chocolate in Human Health and Disease. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling.A 2011 study published in Antioxidants & Redox Signaling reported that cocoa contains more phenolic antioxidants than most foods. As a result of its high level of antioxidants, cocoa helps neutralize free radicals and reduce metabolic stress. Additionally, cocoa can also improve cognitive function and mood.

Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects. Journal of Proteome Research.In a 2009 study published in the Journal of Proteome Research, researchers found that daily dark chocolate consumption by individuals suffering from high levels of anxiety resulted in the reduction of urinary excretion of the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamine suggesting the benefits of dark chocolate for stress reduction. The researchers state that the "study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 g of dark chocolate during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of free living and healthy human subjects, as per variation of both host and gut microbial metabolism."

7. OATMEAL - Diets for stress management slideshow: Stress-reducing foods, Slide 2: Stress-busting foods: How they work. Certain comfort foods, such as oatmeal, can reduce levels of stress hormones and also result in a boost in serotonin, which stimulates a feeling of calmness.

8. CHAMOMILE - Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports.According to a 2010 review article on the healing properties of chamomile, this herb is "commonly used for many human ailments such as hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatic pain, and hemorrhoids." Its use consists of a broad expanse ranging from its ability to reduce stress-induced increases in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels to its ability to alleviate anxiety and induce sedation (calming effects).

9. PEPPERMINT - A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytotherapy Research.A 2006 review in Phytotherapy Research highlighted peppermint oil's relaxation promoting properties on gastrointestinal (GI) tissue and its analgesic and anesthetic effects in the central and peripheral nervous system. Nevertheless, further research still needs to be completed with clinical trails of peppermint tea. While there is currently no reported negative effects of drinking peppermint tea, patients with GI reflux, hiatal hernia, or kidney stones should practice caution when using peppermint oil therapy.

10. BARLEY - What are the health benefits of barley tea? LIVESTRONG.Barley teahas many health benefits ranging from its properties as an anti-cancer agent to its ability to induce the body to enter a more relaxed state. While its anti-carcinogenic characteristics are derived from the anti-oxidative compounds present in barley tea, its capability to relieve stress is thought to derive from its contribution of tryptophan, an amino acid necessary for sleep and synthesizing serotonin - a neurotransmitter essential in the regulation of sleep and mood.

11. PASSIONFLOWER

12. VALERIAN ROOT - Pharmacy Review: Herbal Supplements for Stress. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.While valerian root is sometimes used for treating anxiety, conclusive evidence supporting its safety and efficacy is still absent from scientific literature. In Pharmacy Review: Herbal Supplements for Stress,the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine provides an overview of the current state of research surrounding valerian root in the following:"A study published in 1988 examined the use of valerian and propranolol on their effectiveness at reducing stress when healthy volunteers were placed in stressful social conditions. The authors concluded that valerian alone and in combination with propranolol may reduce stress in healthy volunteers. In another study, a valerian plus St. John's Wart combination product was compared with diazepam in 100 randomized subjects with anxiety for 2 weeks. Baseline anxiety scores were similar between the 2 groups. The results showed that the combination dietary supplement decreased anxiety symptoms statistically more than the diazepam group (P = .002), and the dietary supplement group reported statistically greater relief from anxiety symptoms compared with the diazepam group (P = .007). Other studies, however, have been unable to show that valerian improves symptoms in patient diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence at this time to judge the effectiveness of valerian at reducing stress or controlling anxiety. However, valerian is considered safe if used appropriately and for short-term periods (<1 month)."

By Shannon Wongvibulsin, BS Candidate, UCLA 2014
UCLA Center East-West Medicine, Staff Writer

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Eat Right, Drink Well, Stress Less: Stress-Reducing Foods, Herbal Supplements, and Teas - Explore Integrative Medicine

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In This Article Stress can directly manifest in damaging effects on the body, and indirectly augment health problems. Additionally, there are many harmful physiological changes due to chronic stress (also see Defining Stress). Our abilities to make healthy food choices can also become compromised under stress.

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Ever wondered how you should journal? Learn eight ways that you can use journaling to reduce stress, increase self-reflection, and create a better sense of wellbeing.

One of the great things about journaling is there is no "wrong" way to do it. You can even have fun journaling. Journaling is all about dumping that stuff floating around in your head and then being able to walk away from it. By externalizing your thoughts and feelings through journaling, you tend to have less to "carry around" psychologically. Your brain will thank you. Journaling also gives you the unique ability to look back and see how much you have grown, both emotionally and spiritually.

Keep in mind that all the written forms of journaling can be done through audio recording as well.

See my article on how to get started on journaling.
Visual Journaling
In art journaling, the journal is more focused on visual design than words. You can even turn your words into artistic representations. As I referenced in my article on how to get started on journaling (link above), art therapy students and counseling students created journals that combined art with words. Both groups found visual journaling to be helpful in reducing stress.

Consider using mixed media in your journaling - using different forms of art, such as pencil, paint, and paper. You don't need to spend any money to create a visual journal. One client of mine uses photos from old magazines to create her visual journals.
Gratitude Journaling
When you are doing gratitude journaling, you can write down things in your life that you are thankful for, or things that make you happy or content. Sometimes people go with a once-daily "write five things that I am thankful for," and others write in the morning and in the evening. Whatever way you choose to do it is totally okay. The purpose is not to minimize the challenges you are going through, but to help your brain refocus for a little while.
Intuition Journaling
When we are under stress, we tend to get out of touch with our intuition. Our intuitions are right nearly 100 percent of the time. You may find yourself "stuck" or feeling off-kilter when you don't listen to your intuition. You may have been in an unhealthy relationship with gaslighting where you were told you were crazy, resulting in you not trusting your intuition.

Now is the time to reconnect with that gut feeling. In intuition journaling, you write down a question you would like answered. Then you respond as if your intuition is answering. For example, you would write, "Is this relationship worth saving?" and by channeling your intuition you may get the response, "Life is short, it is time to move on."
Musical Journaling
Create your journaling through sound. You may be a trained musician, self-taught, or have never created your own music. Musical journaling can be helpful to you, no matter what your level of expertise. Tell your story through music. Drums, for example, express happiness, sadness, or anger very well. And you don't necessarily need training or need to spend money on them. You can turn anything into a drum.

Record the music you make so you can look back and reflect on how you felt at that time in your life. And who knows, you may end up creating a profound piece of music and/or a hit song. Many of the best songs are autobiographical in nature.
Stream-of-Consciousness Journaling
Stream-of-consciousness journaling is particularly helpful if you are critical of yourself or if you have perfectionistic tendencies. In this style of journaling, you start writing and just keep going. You write free of judgment. Even if your writing turns into a scrawl, keep going until you are ready to stop. Remind yourself that whatever you write is fine, no matter how grammatically incorrect, "out there," or indecipherable you think it is.

A larger journal is handy for this type of journaling, as stream-of-consciousness journaling can take up a whole page very quickly. Turning a page can temporarily get you out of the stream-of-consciousness flow, so the less turned pages, the better.
Mentor Journaling
Write about the people that inspire you. They could be people that you know personally, or people that you've never met but have helped you become a better person. This is a little different from "unsent letter" journaling (below), as it tends to be more future-oriented than looking back at the past. In other words, you are writing to the people that are helping you become who you want to be. These are people that lift you higher.

Write about what inspired you, how you have taken those principles into your own life. This type of journaling gets you in touch with your "higher self" and creates goals for better living.
Unsent Letter Journaling
We all have things we would like to say to someone but we aren't able to for various reasons. In "unsent letter" journaling, you write down what you would like to tell the person. It can be whatever you want since you aren't sending it anyway. You can tell someone how much you appreciate them, how angry they made you, or how you want or don't want to forgive them. Writing a letter to someone, even if you don't send it, can be a cathartic experience. It's also something to consider sharing with your therapist.
What-is-Going-Well Journaling
In this style of journaling, you note what has gone well during your day. This could be done through bullet points or paragraphs. We tend to focus on what doesn't go well, so changing your focus can result in feeling less burdened. When you realize how much things have worked in your favor during the day, those not-so-great things tend to pale in comparison.

How is this different than gratitude journaling? Gratitude journaling tends to focus on things that already exist, while what-is-going-well journaling tends to focus on daily events.

You can also create a variety of journaling styles. Nothing says you have to stick with just one. In fact, changing up how you journal can give you new insights into yourself, and that is exactly what journaling is all about.

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Discover 8 Journaling Techniques for Better Mental Health

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Ever wondered how you should journal? Learn eight ways that you can use journaling to reduce stress, increase self-reflection, and create a better sense of wellbeing. One of the great things about journaling is there is no "wrong" way to do it. You can even have fun journaling.

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Hi! I'm Davia Roberts, the voice and brains behind the AFFIRM podcast. I'm a former therapist with a strong passion for supporting young women of color.

Now based in Washington, DC, I travel the country bringing mental health and wellness education to millennials and corporate professionals.

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AFFIRM is the the podcast for women of color who affirm their worth, value mental health, and seek wholeness. It's led by licensed professional counselor, Davia Roberts, and has been featured in numerous publications like Bustle, MadameNoire, and Black Enterprise.

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Podcasting is a big business and one that is expected to keep growing. According to Podcast Insights, there are currently over 660,000 podcasts and over 28 million episodes as of last month. Convince&Convert states podcast listening by women has increased 14% in one year. Yet, podcasting remains a genre mostly used and created by white people. In fact, The Columbia Journalism Review asked recently, "Why are #PodcastsSoWhite?" Even major podcast platforms including Spotify and Google are holding competitions in an effort to increase podcast diversity. There is anecdotal evidence, though, that more black people-and black women in particular-are turning to podcasting as a way to amplify their voices. With that in mind, here is a round-up of 20 podcasts by black women that are sure to inspire, spark joy, and give you a few giggles.

20 Must-Listen to Black Women Podcasts for 2019

1. Affirm

This biweekly mental health podcast is for women of color who seek wholeness through affirming their worth and placing value on their mental health.

2. Balanced Black Girl

This self-care podcast hosted by Lestraundra Alfred is known for providing a dose of real-life wellness for women of color. She often has guests on who have candid discussions surrounding healthy lifestyle and happiness.

3. Black Girl Podcast

Having met at radio station Hot 97, hosts Scottie Beam, Gia Peppers, Sapphira, Bex, and Alysha P come together for giggle-worthy conversation on the topics of sisterhood, pop culture, love, dreams, and growth.

4. Black Women About Business

This entrepreneurial podcast, hosted by Demarra Gardner, MA, LPC, CAC, is fairly new to the scene, beginning in November of 2018. All episodes are under 20 minutes in length and deliver information to support black females to "intersect business, leadership, and wellness."

5. Clever Girls Know

Hosted by Bola Sokunbi, this podcast is a platform for financial education that assists women to get out of debt, save, and build their wealth. If you're looking to improve, maintain or build upon your wealth, this one is for you.

6. Courtney Sanders Show

On The Courtney Sanders Show (formally known as The Think and Grow Chick Podcast), host Courtney dives into entrepreneurship, finances, spirituality, and personal growth topics that are sure to kick you in the butt to chase your goals.

7. Gettin' Grown

Hosts Keia and Jade are two happy and whole 30-somethings figuring their adult lives out. On a weekly basis, they discuss all things regarding black women self-care and pet peeves sure to give the listening audience a chuckle.

8. Halfway Bougie

In this podcast, hosts Perri Furbert and Courtney Roberts promise to keep it "halfway bougie and all the way real." Touching on all things pop culture, the two Millennials mix personal stories with real world problems, sparking reflection, and lots of head nods.

9. Happy Black Woman Podcast

If you're an ambitious black woman who wants to have her cake and eat it too, this is the podcast for you. Host Rosetta Thurman empowers women to have it all in this personal development podcast through interviews with powerful black women who've created lives of happiness and freedom for themselves.

10. H.E.R. Space: Uplifting Conversations for The Black Woman

The H.E.R. in H.E.R space stands for healing, empowerment and resilience. In this podcast hosts Terri Lomax and Dr. Dominique Broussard are the catalysts for meaningful conversations, discussing everything from "fibroids to fake friends."

This podcast touches on society biases and pop culture in a relatable way. The host of the Introverted Black Girl Podcast, who is set to reveal her identity this Spring, shares stories of her day-to-day experiences as a black introverted girl in a world that seems to be rigged for extroverts.

12. Jesus & Jollof

Hosted by Luvvie Ajayi and Yvonne Oriji, this lifestyle podcast is a random mix of talk on life happenings, success, food, and all things the hosts love. In a nutshell, it's two Nigerian goddesses chatting it up for listener entertainment.

13. Oprah's Super Soul Conversations

This inspirational podcast's aim is to assist listeners to "awaken, discover, and connect" to the world around them. Oprah has personally chosen the audio of interviews she has conducted with some of the world's top movers and shakers in an effort to guide all who listen to be the best version of themselves.

14. Rants & Randomness

Luvvie Ajayi is known for being a NYT best-selling author and blogger at AwesomelyLuvvie.com, but she prefers to call herself a side-eye sorceress and professional troublemaker. In this hilarious podcast Luvvie rants about society and all things pop culture. Her Jan 7 episode entitled "Do Better: Social Media Etiquette" is a must-listen for all.

15. She's Got Drive

This podcast, hosted by Shirley McAlpine (business consultant and executive coach) asks black women what empowers them. McAlpine strives to dive deeply into the source of guests' success, finding how they overcame obstacles and pulling out tools and strategies that listeners can apply.

16. Side Hustle Pro

This entrepreneurship podcast hosted by Nicaila Matthews Okome shines the spotlight on black females who have scaled their side hustles to profitable, established businesses in an effort to assist listeners to learn actionable strategies they can apply in the infancy stages of their business.

17. Spiritpreneur School: Spiritual Business for Entrepreneurs

The host of this podcast, Abiola Abrams, is an empowerment superstar and author whose mission is to assist heart-based entrepreneurs succeed. She touches on all things law-of-attraction and healing to build soul-fulfilled, thriving businesses.

18. The Broomstick Podcast

The Broomstick Podcast hosted by Natalie Edwards shares all things weddings and marriages for women of color. If you're getting married soon, or feel the time is near, this is a great listen to get you prepped for your walk down the aisle.

19. The Glow Up Podcast

This podcast hosted by Lené Hypolite is the success antidote for women. The Glow Up Podcast shares stories and takeaways to assist listeners to glow up in their career, finances and personal life.

20. Therapy for Black Girls

As a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Joy Harden Bradford, PhD, provides a weekly share session on all things mental health and personal development. Dr. Bradford touches on the latest mental health news and trends, as well as provides practical tips and answers listener questions.
Black Enterprise Contributors Network

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20 Must-Listen to Black Women Podcasts for 2019 - Black Enterprise

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There is anecdotal evidence that more black people--and black women in particular--are turning to podcasting as a way to amplify their voices. With that in mind, here is a round-up of 20 black women podcasts that are sure to inspire, spark joy and give you a few giggles.

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15 minute CALMING YOGA for Stress Relief and Anxiety

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Mandala coloring pages | Free Coloring Pages

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Mandala Coloring pages. Select from 73141 printable Coloring pages of cartoons, animals, nature, Bible and many more.

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5-Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere | Goodful

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When was the last time you read a book, or a substantial magazine article? Do your daily reading habits center around tweets, Facebook updates, or the directions on your instant oatmeal packet?

If you're one of countless people who don't make a habit of reading regularly, you might be missing out.

Reading has a significant number of benefits, and here're 10 benefits of reading to get you to start reading.

VIDEO SUMMARY

1. Mental Stimulation

Studies have shown that staying mentally stimulated can slow the progress of (or possibly even prevent) Alzheimer's and Dementia, since keeping your brain active and engaged prevents it from losing power.

Just like any other muscle in the body, the brain requires exercise to keep it strong and healthy, so the phrase "use it or lose it" is particularly apt when it comes to your mind. Doing puzzles and playing games such as chess have also been found to be helpful with cognitive stimulation.

2. Stress Reduction

No matter how much stress you have at work, in your personal relationships, or countless other issues faced in daily life, it all just slips away when you lose yourself in a great story. A well-written novel can transport you to other realms, while an engaging article will distract you and keep you in the present moment, letting tensions drain away and allowing you to relax.

3. Knowledge

Everything you read fills your head with new bits of information, and you never know when it might come in handy. The more knowledge you have, the better-equipped you are to tackle any challenge you'll ever face.

Additionally, here's a bit of food for thought: should you ever find yourself in dire circumstances, remember that although you might lose everything else-your job, your possessions, your money, even your health-knowledge can never be taken from you.

4. Vocabulary Expansion

This goes with the above topic:

The more you read, the more words you gain exposure to, and they'll inevitably make their way into your everyday vocabulary.

Being articulate and well-spoken is of great help in any profession, and knowing that you can speak to higher-ups with self-confidence can be an enormous boost to your self-esteem. It could even aid in your career, as those who are well-read, well-spoken, and knowledgeable on a variety of topics tend to get promotions more quickly (and more often) than those with smaller vocabularies and lack of awareness of literature, scientific breakthroughs, and global events.

Reading books is also vital for learning new languages, as non-native speakers gain exposure to words used in context, which will ameliorate their own speaking and writing fluency.

5. Memory Improvement

When you read a book, you have to remember an assortment of characters, their backgrounds, ambitions, history, and nuances, as well as the various arcs and sub-plots that weave their way through every story. That's a fair bit to remember, but brains are marvellous things and can remember these things with relative ease.

Amazingly enough, every new memory you create forges new synapses (brain pathways) and strengthens existing ones, which assists in short-term memory recall as well as stabilizing moods. How cool is that?

If you want to learn more about how to increase brain power, boost memory and become 10x smarter, check out this technique!

6. Stronger Analytical Thinking Skills

Have you ever read an amazing mystery novel, and solved the mystery yourself before finishing the book? If so, you were able to put critical and analytical thinking to work by taking note of all the details provided and sorting them out to determine "whodunnit".

That same ability to analyze details also comes in handy when it comes to critiquing the plot; determining whether it was a well-written piece, if the characters were properly developed, if the storyline ran smoothly, etc.

Should you ever have an opportunity to discuss the book with others, you'll be able to state your opinions clearly, as you've taken the time to really consider all the aspects involved.

7. Improved Focus and Concentration

In our internet-crazed world, attention is drawn in a million different directions at once as we multi-task through every day.

In a single 5-minute span, the average person will divide their time between working on a task, checking email, chatting with a couple of people (via gchat, skype, etc.), keeping an eye on twitter, monitoring their smartphone, and interacting with co-workers. This type of ADD-like behaviour causes stress levels to rise, and lowers our productivity.

When you read a book, all of your attention is focused on the story-the rest of the world just falls away, and you can immerse yourself in every fine detail you're absorbing.

Try reading for 15-20 minutes before work (i.e. on your morning commute, if you take public transit), and you'll be surprised at how much more focused you are once you get to the office.

Additional information: if you find staying focus hard and re trying to improve your focus, it's possible you've been doing it wrong.

8. Better Writing Skills

This goes hand-in-hand with the expansion of your vocabulary:

Exposure to published, well-written work has a noted effect on one's own writing, as observing the cadence, fluidity, and writing styles of other authors will invariably influence your own work.

In the same way that musicians influence one another and painters use techniques established by previous masters, so do writers learn how to craft prose by reading the works of others.

9. Tranquility

In addition to the relaxation that accompanies reading a good book, it's possible that the subject you read about can bring about immense inner peace and tranquility.

Reading spiritual texts can lower blood pressure and bring about an immense sense of calm, while reading self-help books has been shown to help people suffering from certain mood disorders and mild mental illnesses.

10. Free Entertainment

Though many of us like to buy books so we can annotate them and dog-ear pages for future reference, they can be quite pricey.

For low-budget entertainment, you can visit your local library and bask in the glory of the countless tomes available there for free. Libraries have books on every subject imaginable, and since they rotate their stock and constantly get new books, you'll never run out of reading materials.

If you happen to live in an area that doesn't have a local library, or if you're mobility-impaired and can't get to one easily, most libraries have their books available in PDF or ePub format so you can read them on your e-reader, iPad, or your computer screen.

There are also many sources online where you can download free e-books, so go hunting for something new to read!

There's a reading genre for every literate person on the planet, and whether your tastes lie in classical literature, poetry, fashion magazines, biographies, religious texts, young adult books, self-help guides, street lit, or romance novels, there's something out there to capture your curiosity and imagination.

Step away from your computer for a little while, crack open a book, and replenish your soul for a little while.

What to Read Next?

If you need some ideas about what to read next, here they are:

Featured photo credit: Unsplash via unsplash.com

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Stuck At A Computer All Day? 9 Relaxation Websites That Will Soothe Your Soul

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When was the last time you read a book, or a substantial magazine article? Do your daily reading habits center around tweets, Facebook updates, or the directions on your instant oatmeal packet? If you're one of countless people who don't make a habit of reading regularly, you might be missing out.

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16 Calming Websites That Will Put You At Ease

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Calming Crafts | Things to Help You Relax & De-Stress | Sea Lemon