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

A guide to the art of journaling — and a meditation on the central questions of life — by the bestselling author of Between Two Kingdoms with contributions from Hanif Abdurraqib, Jon Batiste, Salman Rushdie, Gloria Steinem, George Saunders, and many more.

From renowned Zen Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim, a guide to turning life’s challenges into opportunities for self-discovery. Whether you’re dealing with rejection, uncertainty, loneliness, conflicts in relationships, or burnout — or simply seeking to improve your mental and emotional well-being — Sunim offers a new spiritual perspective, one that helps us face life’s challenges with greater ease and understanding, and offers solace and courage when we need it the most.

“With his pioneering research, Corey Keyes put languishing on the map. In this powerful book, he brings it to life. Get ready to rethink your understanding of mental health, update your views on happiness, and come closer to realizing your potential” (Adam Grant, bestselling author of Hidden Potential).

From the bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace, a guide to understanding healthy dependency — to bring our relationships back into balance. Whether you’re yearning for more trust with a spouse or partner, more clarity with a best friend or sibling, or more agency in how you show up in the world, these insights will help you reevaluate, reset, and relate better.

Brené Brown returns with an urgent call to reimagine the essentials of courageous leadership. In a time when uncertainty runs deep and bluster, hubris, and even cruelty are increasingly framed as acceptable leadership, Brown delivers practical, actionable insights that illuminate the mindsets and skill sets essential to reclaiming focus and driving growth through connection, discipline, and accountability.

The renowned psychic medium and New York Times bestselling author of Signs explains how our loved ones who have passed continue to communicate with us, steering us to discover our purpose and create lives of meaning, connection, and love. Offering solace and comfort through times of grief, and full of inspiring, motivating stories, Guided points the way toward an illuminated life for us all.

A Japanese cultural historian shares a path to joyful living drawn from her nation’s unique approach to spirituality and nature, offering a “fascinating” (Wintering author Katherine May) blend of memoir, cultural reporting, and practical guidance for anyone struggling to find balance in our turbulent modern world.

From communication expert Jefferson Fisher, the definitive book on making your next conversation the one that changes everything. Whether it’s handling a heated conversation, dealing with a difficult personality, or standing your ground with confidence, his down-to-earth teachings have helped countless people navigate life’s toughest situations. Your every word matters, and by controlling how you communicate every day, you will create waves of positive impact that will resonate throughout your relationships to last a lifetime.

Imagine living the life you want to lead, not the one you’re willing to accept. This profound but practical book offers clear steps to stop people pleasing and start living your truth.

From bestselling author Martha Beck, a new path to overcoming anxiety by awakening the creativity within. The opposite of anxiety, it turns out, is a wonderful new way of life — one that can calm and inspire us as individuals and help us become a source of healing for everything around us.

A renowned doula shares powerful lessons on healing and thriving through the murky seasons of life in this moving, intimate guide to deeper self-awareness and radical joy. With insightful and vulnerable storytelling, she invites a deep, soul-stirring investigation of our past and present to gather all that we need to thrive right where we are, right now.

The beloved author of Lighter offers a blueprint for deepening your compassion, kindness, and gratitude so you can truly grow in harmony with another person and build stronger connections in all your relationships.

From one of our foremost psychologists, a trailblazing book that turns the idea of a good life on its head and urges us to embrace the transformative power of variety and experience.

From the bestselling author of The Art of Stillness, a revelatory exploration of the abiding clarity and calm to be found in quiet retreat. Radiant, intimate, and gripping, Aflame offers ageless counsel about the power of silence and what it can teach us about how to live, how to love, and, ultimately, how to die.

Feeling overwhelmed? Step away from life’s demands and free yourself up for what matters with this succinct and sensible guide by the Zen Buddhist author of the international bestsellers The Art of Simple Living and Don’t Worry.

A highly practical guide to unfamiliar terrain, The Only Constant teaches that the purpose of change is to be true to yourself. Zebian simplifies change, teaches us to accept ourselves as we are now, and helps us focus on the necessity and unexpected beauty of those messy transitional times. And she guides you through it so that you can not only reach the better life that awaits you on the other side, but also so that you can take the wheel and become the driver of change in your own life.

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age, this is an intimate, revelatory exploration of the ways we can care for and repair ourselves when life knocks us down.

A myth-busting, science-based guide that addresses the timeless question of how to manage your emotional life using tools you already possess — from the bestselling author of Chatter. Filled with actionable advice, cutting-edge research, and riveting stories, Shift puts the power back into our hands, so we can control our emotions without them controlling us — and help others do the same.

From the bestselling author of The Midnight Library, Matt Haig offers warmth and reassurance, reminding us to slow down and appreciate the beauty and unpredictability of existence. An essential book for anyone in search of hope, looking for a path to a more meaningful life, or in need of a little encouragement.

A groundbreaking manifesto on living better and longer that challenges the conventional medical thinking on aging and reveals a new approach to preventing chronic disease and extending long-term health, from a visionary physician and leading longevity expert.

Badass Habits is a eureka-sparking, easy-to-digest look at how our habits make us who we are, from the measly moments that happen in private to the resolutions we loudly broadcast (and, erm, often don’t keep) on social media. Habit busting and building goes way beyond becoming a dedicated flosser or never showing up late again — our habits reveal our unmet desires, the gaps in our boundaries, our level of self-awareness, and our unconscious beliefs and fears.

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.

Discover a clear path to overcoming uncertainty, perfectionism, and fears of rejection so you can finally find peace with the past and create a happier, healthier future.

Designed to help us better understand ourselves and dial down the everyday worries getting in our way, these thoughtful and beautifully illustrated journal pages are a safe space for reflection, self-acceptance, and the freedom to move forward with more clarity and joy.

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.

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.

This groundbreaking book explains why women experience burnout differently than men — and provides a simple, science-based plan to help women minimize stress, manage emotions, and live a more joyful life.