“Books are a uniquely portable magic,” wrote Stephen King in On Writing. It’s a quote that, some 23 years later, still rings true for those flicking through pages each day — few other objects in our lives hold such a sway in our mental and physical state; and, when it comes to improving your mental health, an arsenal of books is one of the best ways to arm yourself with both knowledge and digestible, practical tips.
This year, there’s a slew of mental health and self-help books that are available worldwide, with styles for every reader (or thinker, for that matter). Below, we’ve assembled a few titles that have entered our lives recently, with a view to helping you with yours.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Ever wondered what the world’s most effective people do on a day-by-day basis? Wonder no more. Stephen R.Covery’s book is written with a goal to help you find a more realistic — and, crucially, sustainable — pace in your life, whether you’re lacking in the admin department or are battling with low energy levels.
Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now
Across the UK, over 8 million people are experiencing an anxiety disorder. If you’re reading this, you could be one of them. In Be Calm, Jill Weber PhD analyses three core sections of anxiety that appear regularly: thoughts, behaviours and feelings. Across each section, Weber provides explanations and techniques to help alleviate each issue; and it’s all written in a digestible format.
Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking
In Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, Dr. Caroline Leaf, a pathologist and neuroscientist, uses easy-to-follow strategies to help you build positive thoughts and improve your mental wellness. Each is based on once-complex scientific theories, case studies and data.