Bettering your mental health takes time and resources – and we firmly believe it’s just as important as your physical health. Attending regular therapy sessions, meditating, staying active, eating healthily, and getting enough sleep are helpful. But what else can be done? Why not try reading? Here are some of our favorite mental health books.
Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief by Martha W. Hickman ($18.99, shop here)
Mental health can be pretty scary after losing a family member or a close friend. This book by Martha W. Hickman provides daily meditations, quotes, and positive affirmations to help you work through grief.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk ($19, shop here)
If you want to start the journey toward a trauma-free future, The Body Keeps the Score would be our top recommendation. This book explains the science behind how trauma impacts your mind and body, providing some helpful recovery tools. Before jumping in, understand that trauma comes in all shapes and sizes. It may be a scary venture, but you’ll learn a bit about self-control, trust, and the right way to engage in trauma-related conversations.
Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present by Nick Trenton ($9.99, shop here)
Do random thoughts pop into your head? Does a problem get stuck in your brain – even after you’ve solved it – because you can’t stop overthinking? If so, Stop Overthinking may be the book for you. Read and understand where your exhausting tendencies to overthink come from and clue in on some great tips to get out of the habit.
This Is Depression: A Comprehensive, Compassionate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Understand Depression by Dr. Diane McIntosh ($17.95, shop here)
What better person to help you with depression than a licensed psychiatrist? In This Is Depression, Dr. Diane McIntosh journeys into her 20+ years of clinical experience working with depressed patients. As you read, you’ll learn the common causes of depression along with the best treatment options. You’ll also get real-life patient examples of what they have been through.
I’m So Effing Tired: A Proven Plan to Beat Burnout, Boost Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Life by Dr. Amy Shah ($17.99, shop here)
Many of us have experienced burnout, which is why I’m So Effing Tired is entirely relatable. If you overwork yourself, you can develop other psychological issues, like stress, anxiety, or depression. Instead of spiraling, pick up this book; it will teach you how to beat burnout, boost your energy, and get back on track.