The ReadDown

Best Self-Help Books to Guide You on the Road to Self-Care

It’s important to remember that every day is a new beginning – a chance to seek some change, shed past burdens, and grow into the person you’ve always wanted to be. There is no better time than the present to commit to caring for yourself in the best way you possibly can. The list of seventeen books below will guide you on your self-care journey, and will help you to find yourself this year.

1

The Self-Love Experiment

by Shannon Kaiser

In toda’s society, it is often frowned upon to put oneself before others. There is an overwhelming fear of being deemed selfish or heartless, and as a result, we self-sabotage and sacrifice to satisfy other’ needs. The Self-Love Experiment hones in on this huge issue, and promotes self-love and self-acceptance above all else. Shannon Kaiser learned how to love herself after tackling (and recovering from) eating disorders, drug addictions, corporate burnout, and depression. In this book, she shares her experiences and advice for gaining confidence, reaching goals, and becoming the most positive influence in your life.

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2

Fear Less

by Dean Sluyter

In this lifestyle guide, acclaimed teacher and award-winning author Dean Sluyter demonstrates how we can use simple meditative techniques to live more and fear less. He draws on enlightenment teachings to help readers address issues such as anxiety, overthinking, and debilitating fear, to lead to an overall more relaxed, confident life.

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3

Silence

by Erling Kagge

In 1993, Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge took a solo trip across Antarctica for fifty days. He was the first person to ever reach the South Pole alone, with only a battery-less radio for company. The long journey was completely life-changing for Kagge, and in this book, he shares his experiences and findings while exploring the true meaning of solitude. He shows us why silence is essential to our health and overall happiness, and how it has the power to change the way we view the world.

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4

Believe It to Achieve It

by Brian Tracy and Christina Stein

Negativity is one of the most harmful things to have in your life. Whether i’s coming from within or from an outside source, it needs to be cut out in order to live a happy, successful life. Bestselling author Brian Tracy and psychotherapist Christina Stein analyze the effects of negative thoughts on personality, outlook, and decision-making. Tracy and Stein want to make people realize how detrimental negativity is and steer them in the direction of positivity by providing clear solutions for regaining control of their thoughts, feelings, and actions.

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5

My Friend Fear

by Meera Lee Patel

From the bestselling author of Start Where You Are, this artistic and inspirational journal allows users to reflect on the deepest parts of their life. A lovely mix of personal anecdotes, inspirational quotes, questions, and stunning watercolor images, My Friend Fear demonstrates how fear can lead to great change and new opportunities, reminding us to always find magic in the unknown.

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6

Resilient

by Rick Hanson, Ph.D. and Forrest Hanson

This guide is the perfect tool for anyone looking to grow their inner strength and compassion. New York Times bestselling author Dr. Rick Hanson demonstrates how to gain true resilience by channeling twelve vital inner strengths – it’ll help you to feel less stressed, pursue opportunities with confidence, and stay calm and centered in the face of adversity.

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7

Coming Alive

by Barry Michels and Phil Stutz

Oftentimes, your greatest enemy is yourself. This enemy, however, can become your greatest ally with a change of mind and heart. Barry Michels and Phil Stutz believe that a powerful, dark energy – Part X – resides in each and every one of us, and can accelerate our lives in the wrong direction. Part X can drain your willpower, convince you that yo’re not good enough, and hinder hope. Coming Alive offers tools that help you connect to the Life Force, or the positive energy inside of you, to combat Part X. Using the Life Force will spark creativity and resilience, and help you to evade negativity while achieving your goals.

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8

Braving the Wilderness

by Brené Brown

Renowned social scientist Brené Brown explores what it means to truly belong in her latest New York Times bestseller, Braving the Wilderness. Brené argues against the notion that we need to reinvent ourselves to feel accepted by others, and believes that the only way we can ever truly belong is by being our true selves. Being yourself sounds simple, but actually doing it is extremely difficult – humans, by nature, want to fit in. It takes a great amount of courage to be yourself in a world full of fictitious figures, but as Brown explains, i’s absolutely worth it.

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9

Surprise Yourself

by Lisa Currie

This DIY guide to happiness is filled with beautiful illustrations and plenty of free space to record your own reflections and insights on life. Playful prompts include complimenting a stranger, stealing someone els’s morning routine, letting a dog take you for a walk, and many more. This fun, quirky book is perfect for gifting, and a great way to start each new day.

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10

Ikigai

by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

Everyone has an ikigai, or a reason for living. Japanese villagers with the world’s longest-living people believe that having an ikigai is essential to living a happier and longer life, because it makes every day meaningful. The authors of Ikigai interviewed the residents of this Japanese village and revealed their secrets to longevity and happiness, and share how to find your own personal ikigai.

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11

The Power of Meaning

by Emily Esfahani Smith

Living a meaningful life is more difficult than ever before. Many of us feel as though we need to go to great lengths to achieve meaning, or significance. Emily Esfahani Smith explores how we can create meaning by talking to experts in thought and behavior, and by studying iconic figures in literature and history. Based on her in-depth research, Smith exposes a very powerful truth: We can find purpose in our lives simply by connecting with those around us, working toward a goal, and sharing our story with others.

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12

Stress-Proof

by Mithu Storoni

Stress is mentally and physically draining, but i’s also unavoidable – i’s a large part of daily life. So, what to do? Dr. Mithu Storoni is here to help. His innovative guide reveals seven ways to fight the negative effects of stress and build up our defenses to be resilient, regardless of what life throws at us. Each chapter looks at a common stressor, such as inflammation or emotional triggers, and provides simple solutions to coping with the aftermath. Dr. Mithu suggests changes in diet, exercise, and other daily habits to promote overall well-being and prosperity.

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13

Start Where You Are

by Meera Lee Patel

This fun, interactive journal is filled with inspiring quotes from writers, artists, and other visionaries. Open-ended questions and prompts are scattered throughout the pages to help readers foster their creativity, mindfulness, and drive. Indeed, if we learn to know ourselves and our dreams, we can appreciate the world around us and achieve what we set out to do.

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14

I Am Here Now

by The Mindfulness Project

Mindfulness is a simple, but powerful tool to use in your daily life. It’s all about being aware of your surroundings, and placing your attention and energy on the present instead of on the future or the past. Doing this will alleviate daily stress, and help you to make the most out of everyday. I Am Here Now aids readers in increasing their mindfulness, and explore the world with greater curiosity while unleashing creativity along the way.

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15

Yoga Body, Buddha Mind

by Cyndi Lee

Yoga Body, Buddha Mind is the first book to explore the benefits of combining yoga and buddhism for ultimate overall health. Cyndi Lee, author of the bestselling series OM Yoga in a Box, shares her experience as a practicing Tibetan Buddhist and one of the country’s most famous yoga instructors in this simple guide. The book offers meditation exercises for all levels of experience, and acts as an enlightening guide for spiritual well-being.

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16

Meditation

by Ian Gawler and Paul Bedson

Meditation is a widely used practice that is essential for personal growth and healing. In this book, Ian Gawler and Paul Bedson share ways to incorporate meditation into your daily life, and demonstrate how it can be used to work with our emotions to manage pain and stress, and increase spirituality. This unique guide combines ancient Eastern traditions with modern medicine, and offers useful techniques that benefit both beginners and masters of meditation.

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17

Meditations from the Mat

by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison

In Meditations from the Mat, Rolf Gates takes the idea of incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your everyday life quite literally. Taking a cue from the page-a-day calendar, he offers up 365 daily reflections to look to as a means of taking a quick moment for self-reflection each day. The daily reflections can be read in the morning to set the tone for the day, during a yoga exercise, or at the end of the day before bed. How readers incorporate them into their daily lives is their choice, and Gate’s book is there to guide us.

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