May is Mental Health Awareness month, which is a perfect time to focus on self-care. And what is a better way to learn about self-care than reading books?
I love to read, but the demands of life sometimes make this escape difficult. I spend a lot of time in the car. As such, I have started listening to audiobooks to learn and grow in a time that otherwise feels wasted. As we explore self-care, here are some great books I’ve read (or listened to) over the past year.
CAN’T HURT ME
By David Goggins
Genres
Motivation, Personal Development, Resilience
Summary
This book was a (welcomed) slap in the face. Many of us are good at making excuses – why we can’t workout, how we don’t have time to cook a healthy meal, why we are too busy to sleep or enjoy the things we love. Author David Goggins is a badass Navy SEAL, who pushes the limits of his body and his mental toughness. He thrives on being uncomfortable and by constantly challenging himself, he grows internally. While his extreme lifestyle is not for everyone, we can all benefit from a little of the motivation he brings to every task.
The audio version of this book includes conversations with the narrator, Adam Skolnick, where they dive deeper to understand Goggins’ mentality. The physical book includes written exercises to help the reader’s own personal development.
I’M SPIRITUAL, DAMMIT!
HOW TO KEEP YOUR FEET ON THE GROUND AND YOUR HEAD IN THE STARS
By Jenniffer Weigel
Genres
Spirituality
Summary
Jen Weigel takes us on a personal journey of deepening her spiritual life while still living in the real world and dealing with everyday challenges such as relationships, parenthood and work demands. We learn simple strategies for improving our own spiritual life and how to keep from beating ourselves up when we fall into ordinary human downfalls. One of my favorite quotes in her books is the reminder that “we are always exactly where we are meant to be at any given time.” Mind blown! Weigel breaks down spirituality into a lay person’s viewpoint and the approach that you don’t have to wear flowy skirts and peer into crystal balls to enjoy a satisfying spiritual life.
PRACTICING MINDFULNESS
75 ESSENTIAL MEDITATIONS TO REDUCE STRESS, IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH, AND FIND PEACE IN THE EVERYDAY
By Matthew Sockolov
Genres
Mental Health, Spirituality, Stress Relief
Summary
This book guides the reader through the practice of mindfulness through a series of meditations aimed to reduce stress and teach others to live in the moment. Easier said than done, right? Mindfulness is a PRACTICE – it doesn’t happen easily on the first try. This book teaches the reader where to start, how to give yourself grace for distractions, and guides you through meditations to help you unwind and face life’s most stressful moments. While some of the activities resemble standard meditation, other practices teach mindfulness through non-traditional methods such as daily tasks like cooking and driving as well as being mindful of our media consumption, body awareness and creating mindfulness as it relates to other people. This is a great book for both beginners and experienced meditators.
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