Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristen Neff Ph.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kristen Neff is to self-compassion as to what Brene Brown is to shame and vulnerability: A Godsend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would go so far as to call this a bible book for your mental health. File it under: <\/strong>Your Mental Health Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n All of Holliday\u2019s books are great. This one just happens to be my favorite. File it under:<\/strong> Ancient Philosophical Wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Owning it: Your Bullsh*t-Free Guide to Living with Anxiety by Caroline Foran<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first of four Irish authors to make this prestigious list. Who knew I was so patriotic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n As with all story-based books found here, you get genuine raw authenticity without the bullshit and a very welcome splash of humor \u2014 all of which Foran provides in spades as she outlines her battle with acute anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This book is a perfect mesh of storytelling and an extremely well put together practical guide to help you both understand and manage your anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Your No Bullshit Anxiety Companion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Predatory Thinking: A Masterclass in Out-Thinking the Competition by Dave Trott<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dave Trott is a hard-nosed heavyweight genius in the advertising industry. So what the hell is he doing in this lineup, you ask?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simple: The best advertisers know how to solve problems and find solutions through creative thinking. And your mental health and wellbeing is likely crying out for better solutions. Unless, of course, you want to be told for the zillionth time to take a breath or step out in nature?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assuming the answer to that question is \u201cscrew you, Nicky,\u201d<\/em> then you might just benefit from a masterclass in creative thinking. Which is exactly what this book is: A masterclass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this instance, you are your own competition. And this book is packed with life lessons you can benefit from today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Creative Thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything is Fucked: A Book about Hope by Mark Manson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a year where everything is fucked, and hope is all but lost, how could this not feature? Manson is extraordinarily gifted at taking complicated or boring topics and making them fun, digestible, easy to understand, and entertaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not one to fuck around, you won\u2019t find a sprinkle of fairy dust here. Drawing on a pool of psychological research and philosophy, you\u2019ll be taken on a wild journey in search of hope that will help you understand why, when everything is technically better than it has been in our history, it all seems, well, fucked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to face the truth head-on while understanding your mind better to build resilience and greater self-acceptance, this book is an absolute must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Retro Philosophy and Psychology.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n *I\u2019m seriously struggling to come up with good themes for the filing cabinet.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Bren\u00e9 Brown Ph.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n It seems everything Brown touches turns to gold. And this book is no different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time and again, our shame or reluctance to vulnerability wreaks havoc on our mental health. In Daring Greatly, Brown packs years of research on both shame and vulnerability \u2014 what it is, what it isn\u2019t \u2014 to help inspire the reader to find the courage to be vulnerable for a happier, lighter, and freer existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Inspirational Feel-good Research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Anxiety Epidemic: The Causes of our Modern-Day Anxieties by Graham Davy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Having had the pleasure of interviewing him twice, I\u2019m a big fan of Davey, who is the Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Sussex. Much of his research extends across mental health problems, specifically anxiety and worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What I love about this book is that it doesn\u2019t tiptoe around the topic. It\u2019s hard-hitting research at times and incredibly informative and educational as to what anxiety is, its many disorders, and their symptoms, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are looking to understand anxiety better, this book is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Easy-Reading Academic Research<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If we are honest, most of us want to be liked more, to connect more, to succeed more, to do and be better in all aspects of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, when life is kicking the shit out of us, we inevitably become preoccupied with ourselves and forget how important it is to form connections with others. We also become lonely which has severe consequences in itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This timeless classic is here to help in all facets of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Psychological Life Skills<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus Time: A True Story of Surviving the Worst and Discovering the Magic of Every Moment by Brian Pennie<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n What can I say? This is an absolute belter of a book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unable to escape the pain of anxiety and desperate for relief, Brian turned to heroin, which saw him fall into a 15-year addiction that nearly \u2014 and probably should have \u2014 took his life. Until one fateful day, he managed to break free from it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus Time is his extraordinary account of a life consumed by addiction \u2014 a life he managed to break free from to the point he is now a Ph.D. candidate studying the neuroscience of mindfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Inspirational Storytelling<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buddha\u2019s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom by Rick Hanson Ph.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian Pennie credits this book in Bonus Time for playing an intricate role in his recovery. And for a good reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rick Hanson does a spectacular job presenting cutting-edge neuropsychology and ancient Buddhist wisdom with steps you can take to help rewire your brain for greater levels of happiness and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of which will make you bulletproof like the Buddha himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Easy-reading Brain Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n Man\u2019s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a nutshell, this is an account of Frankyl\u2019s time in a Nazi death camp. Not necessarily focussed on the horror experienced daily, the emphasis is more on the psychological journey and how he found meaning in his suffering, which ultimately gave him the strength to persevere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A key takeaway is there will always be suffering, but you get to choose what meaning you assign to it, which is critical when pursuing freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To say he delivers a profoundly powerful message is an understatement. This book is a classic for a very good reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under: <\/strong>The Classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jump: One Girl\u2019s Search For Meaning by Daniella Moyles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n One word: Exceptional. I just finished it and think it is my favourite read of the year, reaffirming my belief the best books are all story-based accounts, as told by the author.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I saw a quote once that read, \u201canything but raw authenticity is a fucking waste of time,\u201d and my God, does this book stay true to that. Not only is it exceptionally well written, but it\u2019s also a masterclass in authenticity, which \u2014 let\u2019s be honest \u2014 is very refreshing with so much fake authenticity out there today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first chapter is a good introduction. The second chapter blows the roof off. Moyles then continues this trajectory while documenting her personal account of panic and anxiety and everything that goes along with as she strives to find meaning from it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Inspirational Storytelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Healing Your Attachment Wounds: How to Create Deep and Lasting Intimate Relationships by Dianne Pool Heller Ph.D<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ah, attachment theory. I suspect I\u2019m not the only one who hates it? This shit goes right to the core of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you haven\u2019t heard of attachment theory<\/a>, you\u2019re probably best remaining blissfully ignorant. But as we are suckers for punishment, it was hypothesized by British psychologist John Bowlby in 1950, and concerns itself with emotional attachment between humans, formed from our early relationship with our parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are four main types of attachment. The only desirable one is secure attachment, and if you are reading this, the likelihood of you being secure, I\u2019m sorry to say, is pretty slim. That means you are either anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant<\/strong>, or fearful-avoidant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we grow into adults and end up in relationships that don\u2019t seem to pan out as Hollywood predicted, attachment theory will certainly help you understand why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trust me, when you find out, you\u2019re going to want to fix it. And praise the lord because all hope is not lost, you can take steps to move towards secure attachment. That\u2019s why you should read this book. Enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> I Did Not Sign Up For This Shit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a Man Thinketh by James Allen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Originally published in 1903, this bad boy is the OG of self-help. Based on the principle you are what you think, Allen explains how our character, identity, ability, and success are all determined by the thoughts in our minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not The Secret or some new-age spiritual bullshit where if you want a Ferrari, all you have to do is ask the universe for it, and \u2014 abracadabra \u2014 there it is in all is glory with a big red bow on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ethos is very much around our ability to shape our thoughts to improve our lives. And it shows you how in a very inspiring way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This book packs a punch. What I love most is it\u2019s only 61 pages and simple to read. So you can go back and read it often to help keep you on course. Take it with a pinch of salt, and it has the potential to be very powerful, indeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> The OG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n What a legend Bessel Van Der Kolk is. He comes across as so genuine and sincere. And my God, is he accomplished. This book is incredible. It is also, without a doubt, the toughest read on the list. The subject is trauma, after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A must for anyone looking to better understand trauma or for anyone who has experienced trauma and doesn\u2019t fully understand its impact. File it under:<\/strong> Essential Trauma Reading<\/p>\n\n\n\n Love In, Love Out: A Compassionate Approach to Parenting Your Anxious Child by Dr Malie Coyne<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n I must admit, I haven\u2019t had the pleasure of reading this one yet. But I did have the pleasure of interviewing Dr Coyne, and she is amazing. Not to mention the work she does is incredible. File it under:<\/strong> Essential Reading for Parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships by Marshall B. Rosenberg<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n As stated on the cover, much of how we communicate could be considered violent. Obviously, this isn\u2019t great, especially in our relationships, when communicating with those that matter most. File it under:<\/strong> Your Communication Bible<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Inflamed Mind: A Radical New Approach to Depression by Edward Bullmore<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n For such a dense and \u2014 you know \u2014 depressing subject, this book is a bit of a page-turner. It provides lots of interesting anecdotal stories throughout, all the while examining the link between inflammation and depression and the potential for a new exciting treatment, which is something we haven\u2019t seen since the birth of Prozac<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Hope for a Brighter Future<\/p>\n\n\n\n Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n No other book on the subject comes close to this bad boy. James Clear is quite simply, the master of habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So many of us struggle to break bad habits and routines that are negatively impacting our health. In this book, Clear breaks down all the science in a practical and easy-to-understand manner, ensuring you know exactly what to do to adopt new habits into your life for a healthier, happier future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Essential Reading<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The consequences of breathing incorrectly, as it turns out, can be pretty catastrophic. And while there is nothing more essential to our health than air, it seems we\u2019ve lost our ability to breathe correctly somehow somewhere along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nestor brings you along on a fascinating journey unraveling the science of breath, and ultimately, guiding you to a place where you will be breathing better for a longer, happier, healthier, and more prosperous life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> The Power of Breath<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get Out of My Head: Inspiration for Overthinkers in an Anxious World by Meredith Arthur<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n View on Instagram \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently being translated into many different languages, if you are an overthinker who appreciates the arts, then this little gem of a book is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Packed with beautiful illustrations, Arthur provides you lots of guidance and inspiration, as well as soothing techniques to help you move through the traps of overthinking, all the while maintaining a light and upbeat tone throughout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n File it under:<\/strong> Your Pocket-Sized Buddy<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/the.coach\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/angelcastelar.png\")
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Studies show self-compassion is a significant predictor of long term mental wellbeing<\/a>. And it probably comes as no surprise to learn most struggling excel at being a dick towards themselves, making this book an absolute must to help foster what could eventually be a life-saving skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/the.coach\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/booksandbeer.png\")
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Easily digestible and packed with ancient wisdom, the stoic master seamlessly encapsulates a significant problem \u2014 our inability to be still \u2014 that makes us ineffective while offering many remedies drawing from Stoic and Buddhist philosophies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/the.coach\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/happydannebunny.png\")
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Personally, I would be selective in the chapters I read. You do not need to approach it chronologically. Cherry-pick the chapters you believe are going to impact you the most, and take it from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/the.coach\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/malie.png\")
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More importantly, the message, wisdom, and tips offered in this book can be a complete gamechanger for so many underserved parents out there who might be struggling with their own anxiety or have an anxious child whom they have no clue how to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/the.coach\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/vicky.png\")
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NVC is an extremely practical book that is easy to navigate with lots of strategies to improve your communication for better relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/the.coach\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/mitchel.png\")
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