There’s nothing quite like losing yourself in a good book. Especially if that book has been written with increasing your well-being at its heart.
My own well-being journey has involved implementing plenty of helpful & insightful tips learnt through reading such books. It would definitely be fair to say I have my own little well-being library – although I’m waiting on my husband to put up the bookshelves! Still, I keep them close by as they’re great to dip in and out of.
At times, certain parts might not apply to me but it’s a comfort to know they’re there when my journey takes an unexpected path or I’m in need of a moment of reassurance.
With this in mind, I wanted to share 5 of my favourite well-being books, in the hope they’ll provide you with as much insight and increased well-being as they have offered me.
5 Recommended Books to Improve Your Well-Being
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#01 How to Build a Healthy Brain: Kimberley Wilson
Scientists and clinicians agree that the best way to protect mental well-being & brain health is through prevention. People who adopt healthy habits have a much better chance of avoiding problems later on, but so far this information isn’t as widely reported as it should be. This is where Psychologist Kimberley Wilson’s How to Build a Healthy Brain steps in.
This easy-to-follow and informative book shares the small steps and changes we can all make to the way we live. It’s a practical guide for our long-term brain health – a sort of ‘fitness regime’ for the brain if you like.
Each chapter covers a different but important lifestyle habit, such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, meditation (and a few things I was very happy to learn about coffee!). Kimberley offers science-backed advice and lots of practical tools you can start using right away.
Nothing here is designed to scare you, but rather to encourage you in a more positive way on the way to better well-being.
Find out more here
#02 A Monk’s Guide to Happiness: Gelong Thubten
OK, so this recommendation from me won’t be a shock to most of you. I have written thoroughly about it before in: What I Learnt About Happiness From a Buddhist Monk. But I couldn’t help mentioning it again here, especially since I’m recommending books to improve your well-being.
Gelong Thubten’s engaging, warm and profound book challenges our assumptions about what makes us happy. This Buddhist monk is in no way holier-than-thou; he has certainly led a wild life, which ultimately makes him relatable.
Through his own experiences and many years as one of the UK’s foremost meditation & mindfulness teachers, he guides us to live with more purpose, build a greater sense of connection with others, increase our energy levels, and ultimately live happier lives.
Find out more here
#03 Authentic Happiness: Martin Seligman
An enlightening (although not ‘light’) read from the founder of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, Authentic Happiness explains the science behind, well, happiness.
Here, you have detailed insights into all the different facets of well-being and, perhaps most importantly, how to put them to good use.
Including ample opportunities for self-reflection, this classic text aims to guide you towards lasting fulfilment. Sounds good, right?
RELATED: How to Discover & Use Your Signature Strengths to Feel Happier
Find out more about Authentic Happiness here
#04 Brave New Girl: Chloe Brotheridge
Whenever a female friend (or whoever really) is feeling low in confidence, maybe full of self-doubt or just wants to take charge of their life, I always recommend Chloe Brotheridge’s book: Brave New Girl.
Chloe – a clinical hypnotherapist & coach – has used the latest scientific research to develop seven simple steps to help you build your confidence and reach your full potential.
Did you know? Evidence shows that women are less self-assured than men – and that to succeed, confidence matters as much as competence.
For me, Brave New Girl is an essential well-being manual, especially as finding my voice, staying true to my values and stepping into my most authentic self has proved challenging. I like the down-to-earth, accessible nature of this book. Chloe shares her own experiences and talks to you like a friend, encouraging you on and providing the tools to build your self-belief.
I’ve shared some of her insights in: How to Say No (So You Can Say Yes)
Find out more about Brave New Girl here
#05 The How of Happiness: Sonja Lyubomirsky
Based on scientific research & trials, The How of Happiness aims to help you uncover lasting happiness. It’s full of ‘happiness activities’ designed to improve your mood and the level at which you rate your life satisfaction.
Sonja strongly champions that being happier is within our power; that it’s one of the most vital things we can do for ourselves and those around us. However, we very rarely realise how much we can improve our happiness levels and crucially, how we can even go about it. Cue ‘The How of Happiness’ to provide the answers.
Although I have a big interest in positive psychology, I’m not a fan of texts that come across too academically minded (especially not at bedtime!). Thankfully, this title gets the balance just right – enabling you to have confidence in the authority of the author and exercises within, but not intimidating you in any way or making the teachings hard to grasp. It’s actually quite an easy read.
I think if you hold many negative perceptions or pessimistic thoughts about how happy you can be in life, this is most likely the book to help restore some belief. And it’s equally good if you just want to know – with some science-backed confidence – how to feel happier.
Find out more here
Have you read any of these books to improve your well-being before? Do you have any of your own to recommend? Whatever you’d like to say, or ask, please do! Just leave me a comment in the box below. I’m happy to help & I always love to hear from you!
I enjoy reading ‘feel good’ classic fiction books which lift my mood. One of my favourites is Jane Eyre, but there are many others. The important thing is to find something which ‘takes you out of yourself’ or ‘into a different world’ in terms of fiction books, I feel. Thanks for the useful info, Alex.
Yes, I agree, books can provide a much-needed break from the everyday. Thanks so much for reading & sharing your thoughts x
Hey Alex ur posts are nice
Thank you Aradhana, that is very kind of you to say x
I feel as though I am ready to read a new self-help book, so your post is perfect timing. I particularly like the sound of ‘Brave New Girl’; I struggled with low self-esteem when I was younger and it still occasionally creeps in now, so I think this would really help. Thanks for your recommendations Alex.
Gemma x
https://www.thegutchoice.com
Gemma, I cannot recommend this book highly enough, I’ve ruined mine with highlighter and I dip into it so often. I recommend following Chloe on IG too – thanks so much for reading xx
Haha. Okay, will do! xx
All of these books I could read – and want to read. I love the self-help books. In fact, I bought ‘Letter to my younger self’ the other day where 100 Inspiring people write about the moments that shaped their lives. I’m hoping it’s inspirational! x
Now THAT sounds like something I would like to read – let me know what you think of it xxx