The Five Best Books for Health and Wellness
Each year, millions of people make resolutions to become healthier. They join gyms, eat well, go to sleep earlier. And then, around January 19th, most people quit those resolutions.
I get it. It’s hard. Quitting your vices abruptly is a recipe for disaster. Easing into your resolutions takes time and it’s slower to see results, but those small changes add up. As you think about a healthier version of yourself, remember it’s not just about physical health, but mental and emotional health as well. And, since I know you’re a reader, some of these wonderful reads might help your journey.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
Why it’s helpful: Sleep. You have to sleep. However, most people don’t get enough sleep or sleep poorly and, guess what, it dramatically affects your health. Sleeping is like magic for our bodies because all the Important Things our bodies do each day reset each night. When we don’t or can’t get the sleep we need, our bodies stop operating efficiently.
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Why it’s helpful: Breathing. Just like sleeping, you have to breathe. It’s non-negotiable. And, just like sleeping, most of us are breathing incorrectly. Yes – you are breathing incorrectly. The good news is, you can practice better breathing, which improves your health. And, better breathing improves your sleeping. See where I’m going with these recommendations?
How to be Sad: Everything I've Learned About Getting Happier by Being Sad by Helen Russell
Why it’s helpful: Russell embraces being sad as a way to regain happiness. In this book, she shares how Western cultures’ avoidance of sadness ends up harming us much more than spending a bit of time being sad. Everyone should read this book to help unlearn the parts of our society that tell us we can’t be sad.
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katharine May
Why it’s helpful: Similar to How to be Sad, Wintering shares the power of embracing retreat, rest, and comfort in difficult times. When you have that feeling of wanting to curl up with a fluffy blanket, a cup of tea, and veg out on a comforting show, embrace it. Your body is telling you something, and you need to listen.
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily & Amelia Nagoski
Why it’s helpful: When a predator chased our ancestors and we evaded death, our brain went from fight/flight to relief. Today, our brains produce the same chemicals as being chased by a predator, but we often don’t feel the sense of relief because we aren’t genuinely staring at death. We exist in a perpetual stress response. Burnout seeks to tell you how to complete the stress response, so your body has a chance to reset. Sometimes it’s therapy, sometimes it’s exercise, and sometimes, screaming into a pillow gets the result and relief you need.
Happy Reading!