Why Reading For Mental Health Is Good For You

What is Mental Health?

Mental health refers to a person’s overall psychological well-being. It includes the ability to manage one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. 

Good mental health is important for overall health and happiness. It can affect how we think, feel, handle stress, make choices, and how we act toward others.

Our mental health can also impact our physical health and overall quality of life.

Some signs of good mental health include feeling good about ourselves, having good and healthy relationships with others, being able to cope with stress and challenges, and being able to enjoy life and allow ourselves to be happy.

Why Your Mental Health is Important

The state of our mental health is important because it plays a significant role in our overall well-being and quality of life.

It affects how we think, feel, and act. It can also impact our physical health, relationships, and ability to function in our daily lives.

It allows us to enjoy life and pursue our goals, rewards us with a sense of well-being, allows us to build positive relationships, and cope with life’s challenges.

However, poor mental health can cause a range of problems, such as difficulty with daily tasks, problems in relationships, and physical health issues.

It’s important to prioritize your mental health and seek help if you are or think you may be experiencing mental health issues. With proper treatment and support, it is possible to improve your mental health and lead a fulfilling and healthy life.

Benefits of Reading for Mental Health

Self-help books can be a helpful resource for anyone looking to improve or maintain their mental health. These books can provide information, tips, and strategies for managing mental health issues and improving overall well-being.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that self-help books are not a substitute for professional mental health treatment.

If you are experiencing significant mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma, it’s important to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. They can provide a diagnosis, develop a treatment plan, and offer support and guidance as you work to improve your mental health, something self-help books cannot do.

That being said, self-help books can be a useful addition to professional treatment. They can provide additional tools and strategies for managing mental health issues and promoting overall well-being.

If you’re interested in reading self-help books as part of your mental health journey, it’s a good idea to choose books that are well-reviewed and written by reputable authors and relate to issues you may be having.

It’s also a good idea to discuss your reading plan with a mental health professional to ensure that the books you are reading are appropriate for your needs and don’t pose the threat of doing more damage than good.

Mental Health Reading List Ideas

Books to Read to Heal From Trauma

Here are a few recommendations for books that may be helpful for healing from trauma:

1. The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in The Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk

The Body Keeps the Score discusses the ways in which trauma affects the body and the brain, and how it can manifest in various forms of mental and physical illness.

The book draws on the latest research in neuroscience, as well as Van der Kolk’s own clinical experience, to explain the complex relationship between trauma and the brain.

Van der Kolk explores how trauma changes the brain’s structure and function, and how it can lead to problems such as dissociation, anxiety, and depression.

One of the key ideas of the book is that trauma is as much a physical problem as it is psychological. Van der Kolk argues that trauma is stored in the body and can only be fully resolved when it is addressed at the level of mind and body.

The book discusses various treatment approaches, including traditional talk therapy, body-based therapies such as yoga and mindfulness, and pharmacological interventions.

2. Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman

Judith Herman, a psychiatrist, and researcher at Harvard Medical School focuses on the psychological effects of trauma, particularly in the context of sexual and domestic violence, and the ways in which individuals can recover from these experiences.

Herman discusses the ways in which trauma can disrupt an individual’s sense of self and the importance of finding meaning and purpose in the aftermath of trauma.

She also discusses the importance of social support and community in the recovery process.

One of the key themes of the book is the concept of “complex trauma,” which refers to the long-term effects of repeated or chronic trauma, such as abuse or neglect.

In her book, she argues that complex trauma requires a different approach to treatment than single-incident trauma and that traditional models of therapy may not be effective in addressing the unique needs of individuals with complex trauma.

3. It Didn’t Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn

Mark Wolynn, a leading expert on inherited family trauma writes about how trauma can be passed down through generations and serves up practical advice for breaking the cycle of inherited trauma.

In the book, Wolynn discusses the concept of “intergenerational trauma,” which refers to the transmission of trauma from one generation to the next through nonverbal communication and behaviors.

He argues that inherited family trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, including physical symptoms, relationship patterns, and emotional and psychological issues.

One of the key themes of the book is the idea that inherited family trauma can be healed through a process of self-inquiry and understanding the root causes of one’s own symptoms and behaviors.

We all suffer from family trauma, it’s up to us to take the necessary steps to heal from it. It may not have started with us, but it can surely end with us.

4. Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy by Francine Shapiro

Francine serves up practical advice on using EMDR to overcome the effects of trauma and other negative life experiences.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress

In the book, Shapiro discusses the concept of “adaptive information processing,” which refers to the brain’s ability to process and integrate negative experiences in a healthy way. She argues that when this process is disrupted by trauma, it can lead to a range of psychological and emotional issues, including anxiety, depression, and relationship problems.

She strongly believes that EMDR therapy can help individuals overcome the effects of trauma and other negative life experiences by accessing and processing previously unresolved memories and emotions.

She offers up a range of practical tools and techniques for using EMDR to improve mental health and overall well-being, including exercises for identifying and processing unresolved memories and emotions, and strategies for managing stress and building resilience.

5. The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer

In this book, Neff and Germer give us practical exercises and strategies for cultivating self-compassion.

Neff and Germer argue that self-compassion is a key component of mental health and well-being and that it can be developed through the regular practice of mindfulness and other self-compassion exercises.

They offer a range of practical tools and techniques for cultivating self-compassion, including exercises for developing a caring and supportive inner voice, techniques for managing difficult emotions, and strategies for building resilience.

Books to Read for Dealing With Burnout

1. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski

Burnout. We’ve all experienced it. What’s expected of women and what it’s really like to be a woman in today’s world are two very different things—and women exhaust themselves trying to close the gap between them.

In Burnout, sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski deconstruct the stress we experience as women and their compassionate, science-based advice on how to release it resonated with me. The book is revolutionary and its authors are wonderful and wise.

This is a great book to help women move through stress and stop beating themselves up.

2. Can’t Even: How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen

Can’t Even: How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation is a book by Anne Helen Petersen that explores the phenomenon of burnout among millennials and the factors that contribute to it.

According to Helen, burnout is characterized by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and detachment, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, including overwork, social media, and the pressure to constantly be productive.

Petersen outlines how burnout impacts millennial lives, the generational circumstances that got them there in the first place, and what burnout does to a generation in the long term.

3. Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Glei

Manage Your Day-to-Day offers practical advice and tools for managing time and maximizing productivity.

The book is organized into three sections: “Build Your Routine,” “Find Your Focus,” and “Sharpen Your Creative Mind.”, all to avoid feeling overwhelmed and getting burnt out.

In the “Build Your Routine” section, the book offers strategies for establishing a consistent daily routine, including setting priorities, managing your energy, and creating a healthy work environment.

The “Find Your Focus” section discusses techniques for staying focused and avoiding distractions, such as setting limits on social media use and using the Pomodoro Technique to break tasks into manageable chunks.

The “Sharpen Your Creative Mind” section explores ways to stimulate creativity and generate new ideas, such as setting aside dedicated time for creative work, seeking out new experiences, and collaborating with others.

The book offers a variety of strategies and techniques that can help you build a healthy and productive daily routine, stay focused, nurture your creativity and avoid the dreadful monster that is burnout.

4. Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving by Celeste Headlee

Do Nothing explores the negative effects of the culture of overworking and overachievement and offers strategies for reclaiming our time and finding balance in our lives.

In the book, Headlee argues that our obsession with productivity and achievement is leading us to neglect our own well-being and that of our communities.

She discusses the importance of taking breaks and finding ways to disconnect from the constant demands of work and technology. She also offers practical advice for establishing healthy habits and finding ways to prioritize rest and relaxation.

Do Nothing is a thought-provoking examination of our culture of overworking and a helpful guide for anyone looking to reclaim their time and find balance in their lives.

She offers a variety of strategies and techniques for breaking away from the cycle of overworking and overdoing and finding more time for rest, relaxation, and meaningful connection with others.

5. The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness by Andy Puddicombe

The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness by Andy Puddicombe introduces the practice of meditation and mindfulness and offers guidance for establishing a daily meditation practice.

Puddicombe explains the benefits of meditation and mindfulness, including reducing stress, improving focus and concentration, increasing feelings of happiness and well-being, and avoiding burnout.

He also provides a variety of meditation techniques and exercises, as well as tips for establishing a daily meditation practice and making meditation a part of your daily routine.

Books to Read for Handling Stress and Anxiety

1. The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne

The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook offers strategies and techniques for managing anxiety and stress. The book is designed to help readers identify the causes of their anxiety and stressors and develop coping strategies to manage and reduce their symptoms.

The book covers a wide range of anxiety-related issues, including panic attacks, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.

It includes exercises and activities to help readers identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs, relax their bodies, and develop coping skills for managing anxiety and phobias. It also provides guidance for seeking professional help and working with a therapist to address anxiety and phobias.

Overall it is a comprehensive and practical resource for anyone looking to better understand and manage their anxiety, phobias, and stress. It offers a variety of strategies and techniques that can help readers reduce their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.

2. The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook by Martha Davis, Elizabeth Eshelman, and Matthew McKay

The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook offers strategies and techniques for managing stress and promoting relaxation.

The book is designed to help readers identify the sources of their stress and develop coping strategies to manage and reduce their stress levels.

The book covers a wide range of stress-related issues, including time management, communication skills, and coping with change. It includes exercises and activities to help readers identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs, relax their bodies, and develop coping skills for managing stress.

It also provides guidance for seeking professional help and working with a therapist to address stress and related issues.

3. The Worry Cure: Seven Steps to Stop Worry from Stopping You by Robert L. Leahy

The Worry Cure is a self-help book by Robert L. Leahy that offers strategies for managing and reducing worry and anxiety. In the book, Leahy discusses the causes of worry and anxiety and provides a seven-step program for overcoming them.

The seven steps outlined in the book include:

1. Identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs

2. Setting goals and priorities

3. Developing problem-solving skills

4. Using relaxation techniques to manage physical symptoms of anxiety

5. Engaging in enjoyable activities

6. Seeking social support

7. Seeking professional help when necessary

Throughout the book, Leahy provides exercises and activities to help readers implement these strategies and overcome their worries and anxiety.

4. The Stress-Proof Brain: Master Your Emotional Response to Stress Using Mindfulness and Neuroplasticity by Melanie Greenberg

The Stress-Proof Brain is a self-help book written by Melanie Greenberg, a clinical psychologist, and expert on stress and emotion regulation.

In her book, Greenberg explores the latest research on the brain’s response to stress and how we can use mindfulness and neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change and adapt) to better manage our emotional reactions.

The book presents a number of strategies and techniques for reducing stress and improving well-being, including mindfulness practices, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and self-care practices.

Greenberg also discusses how to communicate effectively and build supportive relationships, which can be an important part of stress management.

Her goal is to help readers develop a more resilient and stress-proof brain and to live a happier, healthier life

5. Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now by Jill Weber

Be Calm is a great workbook for managing and reducing anxiety. In the book, Weber discusses the causes of anxiety and provides a range of strategies for overcoming it.

Some of the strategies discussed in the book include:

–Identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs

–Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation

–Engaging in physical activity and other enjoyable activities

–Seeking social support and building healthy relationships

–Seeking professional help when necessary

Throughout the book, Weber provides exercises and activities to help readers implement these strategies and reduce their anxiety.

Books to Read When You’re Feeling Depressed

1. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns

This book provides mechanisms for managing and improving mood.

The book is based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative patterns of thought and behavior.

In the book, Burns discusses the causes of negative moods and provides a range of strategies for improving them.

He covers topics such as identifying and challenging negative thoughts, setting goals and solving problems, and building healthy relationships. He also provides exercises and activities to help readers implement these strategies and improve their moods.

2. The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs by Stephen Ilardi

This book provides a natural, research-based approach to managing and overcoming depression.

The Depression Cure argues that depression is largely a result of a mismatch between the way our minds and bodies evolved to function and the way we live today.

Ilardi presents a number of strategies for overcoming depression, including exercise, sunlight, sleep, and social support, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes. The book also includes a number of exercises and techniques for managing stress and improving mood.

3. The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, and Jon Kabat-Zinn

The Mindful Way through Depression is a self-help book that combines the principles of mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help readers overcome depression.

The authors are all leading experts in the field of mindfulness and mental health.

In the book, they present a step-by-step program for overcoming depression, including exercises for developing mindfulness skills and techniques for changing negative thought patterns.

The book also includes guided meditations and other mindfulness practices to help readers stay present and focused in the present moment. The goal of the book is to help readers break the cycle of negative thinking and cultivate lasting happiness and well-being.

4.  The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon

A writer and lecturer on psychology, politics, and the arts, Solomon, provides us with a personal and cultural exploration of depression, drawing on his own experience with the disorder as well as the stories of others who have struggled with it.

Solomon also explores the history, science, and cultural impact of depression, and he discusses a wide range of treatments, including medication, therapy, and alternative approaches.

The Noonday Demon is widely considered a classic work on depression, and it has received numerous accolades for its depth, insight, and humanity.

5. The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living by Russ Harris

In the book, medical doctor and psychotherapist, Harris argues that our pursuit of happiness often leads to suffering and disappointment, and he presents a new approach to finding lasting well-being.

The book is based on the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that emphasizes acceptance, mindfulness, and taking meaningful action.

Harris suggests that by learning to accept our thoughts and feelings, rather than struggling against them, we can break free from the “happiness trap” and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

The book includes a number of exercises and techniques for practicing ACT, as well as guidance for applying the principles to different areas of life.

Other Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

There are many different ways to improve your mental health. Here are a few strategies that you can try:

1. Exercise regularly: Physical activity has been shown to have numerous benefits on our mental health, including reducing stress, improving mood, and increasing self-esteem.

2. Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet can provide your body and mind with the nutrients they need to function optimally.

3. Getting enough rest: Adequate sleep is important for mental health, as it helps to repair and restore the body and mind.

4. Practice stress management techniques: There are many different stress management techniques that you can try, such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness.

5. Stay connected: Maintaining social connections is important for mental health. Consider joining a group or club, volunteering, or simply spending time with friends and loved ones.

Remember that it’s important to find the strategies that work best for you. It may take some trial and error to find what works best, but with persistence and a positive attitude, you can improve your mental health.

When to See a Professional

There are several signs that it might be time to seek help from a mental health professional:

1. You’re experiencing persistent and intense emotions, such as sadness, anxiety, or anger, that interfere with your daily life.

2. You’re having difficulty with relationships or completing your daily tasks.

3. You’re experiencing changes in your appetite, sleep patterns, or energy level.

4. You’re having harmful thoughts towards yourself and/or others.

5. You’re using alcohol or drugs to cope with your emotions.

6. You’re feeling disconnected from reality or experiencing hallucinations.

7. You just don’t feel like yourself anymore.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. They can help you determine the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to address them.

However, you know yourself best, no matter what symptoms you may or may not be experiencing, you can always seek professional help if you feel so. There is no one-size-fits-all, listen to your emotions, body, and soul.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for support if you need it.