Did you know that reading can have significant benefits for mental health? Bibliotherapy, is the practice of using books to support mental wellbeing. Self-help books particularly, can support and enhance your ability to sustain good mental health. They can provide new perspectives, increase your self awareness and offer tools for managing life’s challenges.
Here are 3 of my favourite self-help reads in 2024:
📖 Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life – This book explores the Japanese concept of ikigai. The authors research a community in Japan who have a higher than average number of centurions, and unpack some of the elements of living that contribute to how they live purposefully and relatively healthier lives. It was a fascinating and inspiring read.
📖 Fierce Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff – This powerful book expands on the idea of self-compassion, focusing on how we can develop both tenderness and strength. She explores what this can look like especially for women.
📖 Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana – A deeply insightful read on the nervous system and its role in how we experience safety, connection, and stress. Deb Dana offers practical & simple ways to regulate your nervous system for greater well-being. We all need tools to help us manage the impact of stress on our systems.
& Here are 4 of my all time favourite self-help reads I keep recommending:
📖 The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris – Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), this book simplifies the main strategies of ACT and makes it really easy to start to understand and apply.
📖 Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero – Great read Christians looking in to integrating emotional and spiritual health. Scazzero balances the two beautifully, while explaining rest practices that sustains wellbeing.
📖 Atomic Habits by James Clear – One of the best books on behaviour change. If you’ve struggled to stick to new habits or break old ones, this book breaks down the process in a way that makes lasting change achievable.
📖 The Gift Of Being Yourself by David Benner – David Benner is a Christian Psychologist who integrates psychology with the theology of spiritual formation in helping you understand the importance of knowing, understanding and accepting yourself
Your Turn
Have you read any of these? What books have had a lasting impact on you?