Reading books is a great way to reduce anxiety and live a happier life. Here are some of the best mental health books to help you stay positive and happy.
Happiness, joy, hope and enthusiasm are all emotions necessary to lead a healthy and happy life. It is often believed that happiness is the key to good health. However, negative thoughts affect our mental health and make us wonder how we can be happy. It is not impossible. Sure, we may feel sad, lonely, jealous and angry at times, but they are all manageable. One way to be happier in life and manage your emotions is to read mental health books. Here are some of the best mental health books that can help you stay happy and positive in your life.
The 6 best mental health books to help you live a happier life
Check out the best mental health books that will help transform your peace of mind.
1. Stopping Negative Thinking by Nick Trenton
Learn how self-acceptance and kindness can transform your life in this book by Nick Trenton. “Stop Negative Thinking” is about becoming aware of your difficulties and tackling insomnia, hyperreactivity, sensitivity and other issues. The author, who has experienced similar problems, offers valuable advice on these topics. The book delves into the psychology of negative thinking and explains how harmful self-perceptions lead to cognitive distortions. It then explains how to prevent, manage and ultimately overcome these thoughts. Thus, the book teaches you how to transform negative thoughts into more positive ones, helping you live a happier life.
Stop Negative Thinking: How to control your thoughts, stop overthinking, and change your mental habits
Read also: 10 Effective Tips to Control Negative Thinking and Live a Positive Life
2. “You Can” by George Matthew Adams
Have you ever wondered if you can really achieve your goals, overcome obstacles and succeed in life? George Matthew Adams’ book “You Can” is written to promote personal growth, learn the secrets to happiness and address happiness. This book describes methods that will help you pave the way to a fulfilling and successful life, such as sitting quietly for an hour to form your creative vision, going the extra mile for others, working according to your personality, studying your failures, learning how to manage your time and more. This book is a powerful guide that shows you that you can do anything you set your mind to in order to live a happy life.
you can [Paperback] George Matthew Adams [Paperback] George Matthew Adams
3. Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
Héctor García and Francesc Miralles’ book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to Living a Long and Happy Life delves into the Japanese concept of “ikigai,” or meaning of life. The book weaves together research, interviews with Okinawan centenarians, and practical advice to show how finding ikigai can lead to a long, joyful, and fulfilling life. Key concepts include discerning what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what the world needs. The book also highlights simplicity, mindfulness, and community as key elements to achieving balance and enjoyment. This is an interesting read that will inspire you to live a purposeful and fulfilling life.
4. Burnout: The Secret to Breaking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski
This pioneering book explains why women suffer from burnout more than men and offers clear, science-based strategies to help women cope with stress, manage their emotions, and live a more joyful life. In this book, the authors encourage readers to take it easy and cut back on some of the activities they do to live with joy and encouragement, rather than adding to their stress. You’ll be led to believe you have to be many things to many people, when in fact all you need to do to keep stress at bay is sit back and focus on relaxing.
Burnout: Secrets to breaking the stress cycle
Read also: Feeling burnt out? Experts show you how to stay calm
5. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Therapist Lori Gottlieb was brought into therapy after an incident left her so frightened and confused. Though she is training to be a physician, her experiences have allowed her to be a patient and understand and feel both sides of a therapy encounter. In this funny and compelling tale of self-discovery, she explores the truths and lies we all tell ourselves and the harm they can cause if not checked. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone will inspire you to open up to someone who feels comfortable and is willing to listen.
Maybe you should talk to someone
6. “Stop Overthinking” by Nick Trenton
This book, “Stop Overthinking” is written to free you from the mental prison you’ve built and stop the vicious cycle of dwelling on the past and fearing the future. It recognizes that overthinking is a major cause of unhappiness and offers practical techniques to help you redirect your brain, manage your thoughts, and establish new habits to live a happier life. Focused on a scientific approach, you’ll learn how to identify triggers for negative thoughts and anxiety, and shift your focus to actions that help you relax and live with joy and enthusiasm. It contains proven methods to help you overcome stress, clear your mind, reach your full potential, and start living free from self-doubt and sleepless nights.
What are the benefits of reading for mental health?
Here are some potential benefits of reading books:
1. Prevent Alzheimer’s
Reading stimulates the brain, which is a good thing: People who exercise their brains through hobbies like reading, chess, and puzzles are 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who engage in less-stimulating activities, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
2. Improve your sleep
Reading a paper book before bed can be more relaxing than staring at a screen, and a study published in the Sleep Medicine Journal found that phone and tablet screens can disrupt your sleep by keeping you awake until you can’t.
3. Extend lifespan
You might be surprised to learn that reading print books can help you live longer: A study published in the Innovation and Ageing Journal found that people who read books (compared to those who read other content) are 20 percent less likely to die prematurely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When should I see a mental health professional?
Mental health books can be a great source of information to learn skills and tools to live a better life. But if you’re having problems that are interfering with your daily life, limiting your ability to function, or making you feel overwhelmed most days, talk to a mental health professional. A skilled mental health professional can discuss your issues and suggest appropriate treatment, which may include books to help you get closer to your goals.
2. Does reading books improve your mental health?
Reading has many other benefits, including improving your mental health. Reading can help you relieve stress and mental distress, but understanding and applying the skills you gain from mental health books can also help you deal with issues that affect your mental health.
3. Can reading books make people happier?
Reading helps to relieve anxiety and despair. Reading books helps to remove negativity from our lives and lead a happier life. It is also important to remember that reading can be an effective tool in the fight against anxiety and sadness.
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