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If you enjoy getting lost in the pages of a book, you would love knowing this is actually good for your wellbeing! Some of the health benefits of reading include sleep quality improvement and stress relief, among others. You can take this healthy habit to the next level by picking up a wellness book. This is, in fact, an excellent way of opening up new possibilities and pathways in your mindset.
If you love a good book, discover in the following lines the 8 must-read wellness books you should keep on your shelf!
#1 Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Author: Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
Where to buy it online: World of Books, Amazon
If this is the first time you’re giving a wellness book a go, this fascinating publication is a great start point. Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning ‘a reason for being’, or what we like to call it, a reason to jump out of bed in the morning! This book helps readers figure out what their own Ikigai is and gives tools and examples to equip our lives with change. You’d find it interesting to read that a lot of sitting reduces your life duration or that little stress is good for us since it keeps us going!
According to Neil Pasricha, bestselling author of The Happiness Equation, “Ikigai gently unlocks simple secrets we can all use to live long, meaningful, happy lives. Science-based studies weave beautifully into honest, straight-talking conversation you won't be able to put down. Warm, patient, and kind, this book pulls you gently along your own journey rather than pushing you from behind”.
#2 The gifts of imperfection
Author: Brené Brown
Where to buy it online: World of Books
Practicing self-love can be challenging for many of us, can’t it? Brené Brown knows it. This New York Times bestselling and Oprah-approved author, professor shares her wisdom on this topic in this publication. A book about embracing a perfectly imperfect life. Brené encourages to cultivate feelings of self-worth and self-acceptance by sharing her own personal self-esteem journey. If you’re looking for effective daily practices to accept your own identity and uniqueness, this can definitely become your next big read!
Harrier Lerner, another New York Times bestselling author like Brené, shared her views on this truth-filled book: "It’s a lifelong journey from ‘What will people think?' to ‘I am enough’. Brown's unique ability to blend original research with honest storytelling makes reading The Gifts of Imperfection like having a long, uplifting conversation with a very wise friend who offers compassion, wisdom, and great advice."
#3 Home Body
Author: Rupi Kaur
Where to buy it: check Rupi’s website and she’ll tell you where you can find it in your language!
If you believed poetry was a thing from the past, you might change your view with Rupi Kaur’s latest work. In Home Body, Rupi shares a collection of intimate, honest conversations with herself that encourage readers to reflect on self-love, acceptance, community, family and embracing growth. Her poems are a profound journey to the past, present, and the potential of the self. The book has the perfect combo: exquisite writing and empowering messages like the below, which you can find on page 35.
In an interview with Elle Magazine, Rupi shared some of her views on self-care, a topic she depicts in Home Body: “It’s everyday work. I meditate and do therapy when I need to. I also practice mindful breathing. Journaling and art help me a lot, as well. Sometimes it’s as simple as lighting a candle, putting your phone away, and spending an evening reading”
Here is an example of Rupi's poem to heal your mood:
#4 Kintsugi Wellness: The Japanese Art of Nourishing Mind, Body, and Spirit
Author: Candice Kumai
Where to buy it: Barnes & Nobles, Amazon
If you love J-wellness as we do, join the club and become a fan of this uplifting book! Written by Japanese-American author and chef Candice Kumai, this volume is her self-discovery exploration put on paper. Candice shares how Japanese traditions can help enhance our bodies, but also our minds and spirit. Kintsugi Wellness is an introduction to a serene and healthy way of living through the author's own experiences, lessons and recipes. So get your mind (and stomach!) ready to be captivated by Candice’s words!
Sophia Amoruso, the original Girlboss who truly enjoys and believes in J-wellness, shares some interesting thoughts about this book: "Candice has created a guide to an ancient, common-sense and approachable way of living. In a crowded wellness space, Kintsugi Wellness truly stands out."
#5 Zen: The Art of Simple Living
Author: Shunmyo Masuno
If you stumble across this book in a bookshop, trust what you see on the cover. What’s on the outside is a reflection of what you’ll find inside: simplicity and calmness. Written by Japanese Bhuddist monk Shunmyo Masuno, the book summarises centuries of wisdom and explains how to apply the essence of Zen to modern life.
Are you in search of the key to a more relaxed, fulfilled life with a renewed sense of peace? You will find it in 20 easy and practical lessons. For instance, how going outside to watch the sunset can make every day feel celebratory; or how simple things like lining up our shoes after we take them off can bring order to our mind.
Guaranteed to delight any reader and enchant any wellness junkie, there’s no better way to describe this publication than in the worlds of llan Lokos, author of Through the Flames, Patience, and Pocket Peace: “A little treasure that needs to be at every bedside”.
#6 The Oxygen Advantage
Author: Patrick McKeown
Where to buy it: World of Books, Amazon es
We all know how to breathe. However, do we do it right? According to the author of The Oxygen Advantage, we probably don’t. Convinced breathing is the secret to our overall well-being, Patrick McKeown wrote this book to spread awareness about it. He knows what he’s talking about. He suffered from asthma and relied on medicines until the age of 26, when he discovered the Buteyko Method, a breathing technique that is believed to provide a better sense of well-being.
Patrick shares successful, scientifically validated breathing exercises designed to significantly improve anyone's health. If you’re an athletic person, then definitely check this book out! You will find techniques specifically meant to empower you to improve your sports performance. If you’re into mindfulness, then don’t miss out part II of the book where Patrick dives into this topic. You’ll be surprised to find out interesting data. For example, that the nasal and diaphragmatic breathing techniques Patrick shares in the book formed the foundation of ancient mediation, yoga and chi!
If you’d like to learn more about the author and this book, watch Patrick’s TEDx Talk and be inspired!
#7 The Self-love Experiment
Author: Shannon Kaiser
Where to buy it: Barnes & Noble, Amazon
Think of a goal you have in mind: getting a job you love; finding your soulmate; losing weight... Whatever it is, this book will make you realise it all starts by accepting and loving yourself. Best-selling author and life coach Shannon Kaiser shares with readers her self-love odyssey after facing difficult times in her life. The Self-Love Experiment is about her experience and the process she followed to fall in love with life and herself. Time to do that yourself? Learn from her example!
In her own words, the experiment should start with self-care, which she defines as follows: “Self-care isn’t about feeling guilty for skipping a workout or trying to get your green juice every day. If we do those things under pressure, then we aren’t really caring for ourselves in a compassionate way. Instead, be kind to yourself and care for yourself from a place of love.”
#8 The Self-Care Solution
Author: Jennifer Ashton M.D.
Where to buy it: Barnes & Noble, Amazon es
Are you ready to give up alcohol? Or going to bed earlier? Or perhaps reducing your screen time? Then you’ve found the book that will help you achieve these goals! In The Self-Care Solution, Dr. Ashton focuses on one self-care challenge each month of the year. She narrates all the struggles she faces, but also the benefits she encounters. Overall, readers get all the details about how these challenges lead to a healthier lifestyle!
By tackling a different area of wellness each month, the author hopes to inspire and motivate others to improve their health. You’ll get easy-to-follow tips and informative charts that will help you join her in facing each challenge! Even if you don’t feel ready to dedicate a full year to it, don’t hesitate to pick this book up! According to Dr Ashton “it’s not about perfection. It’s about the process, not the product. If you do these for 15 days out of a month, it’s already better than the month before!”.
The above collection is a good sample of the type of books that you can enjoy, but that can also provide you with tools to pursue a more vibrant you. We especially love them because of their ability to change the way we think. Whenever you’re ready to give your brain a good workout, pick any of the above books up and get some tips to start your own wellness journey.
BY JULIANA R. & EMILIE CELINE
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