Five Books For A Healthy Mind

Attention is focussed this month on mental health, in particular, R U OK? Day which is on September 13th. It’s so important to break down the stigma of mental health issues, not just in September, but each and every day.

Do I suffer from mental health issues? I like to think I’m pretty lucky, but I’ve suffered debilitating panic attacks which are thankfully few and far between and periods of feeling pretty sad and tearful. Am I embarrassed to share that? A little, but we are all allowed to have down days, sad days and days where we feel overwhelmed. Anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses can be wide-ranging, from mild symptoms self-treated to more serious symptoms which can be devastating to the sufferer and those around them who love them.

If you feel helpless, hopeless, or in a dark place, the best thing to do is to reach out to a loved one, call your GP, or head to organisations that will understand, such as Beyond Blue.

However, you feel that you just need to check your brain into a ‘mind gym’ for a bit. Pick up one of my top five books for a healthy mind and give yourself a bit of peace in a quiet nook and some time for yourself.

The Courage To Be Disliked

This review gets the most traffic on my blog and I’m pretty sure it’s all in the title. IAt the time of my original review it had sold over 3million copies.

The Japanese lapped up this book and it has been reprinted in several languages. Using the theories of renowned 19th-century philosopher and psychiatrist Alfred Adler The Courage To Be Disliked creates a string of conversations between a fictional philosopher and a young man. The conversations cover many broad, interesting and, sometimes touchy topics, such as:-

Admitting Fault Is Not Defeat

An Inferiority Complex Is Not An Excuse

Discard Other Peoples Tasks

The Courage to be disliked is for those seeking some answers and a period of quiet self-reflection

Full Book Review Of The Courage To Be Disliked here

Grab your own copy here

UnF*ck Yourself by Gary John Bishop

There are many MANY sweary titled self-help books out there and this is one of two which appear in my list! Gary John Bishop does not sugar coat anything. I found some pages a little uncomfortable to read and that’s exactly what this author wants. In a rut? Your fault! Lost Direction? Get some! No-one else is going to do it for you. This book gives you a solid kick up the mum and if you don’t feel motivated after reading it, I’m not sure you’re ever going to get it!

For those who feel a bit stuck in life and need a real dose of reality. Be prepared for some tough talking!

Real my 5 Star book review here!

Grab your own copy here and start getting stuff done today! (or, when the book arrives)

The Gift Of Silence by Kankyo Tannier

The Gift Of Silence by monk Kankyo Tannier is a practical guide to overcoming the stresses and noise of everyday life. It’s a small hardback book which will tuck easily into your bag and give you a little piece of wisdom, or some tools to help you switch off during moments of stress. Perfect for the morning commute, or a lunchtime break in the local park.

If you are one of those people (like me) who wakes at 4am with a mind full of clutter, worry and nothing constructive, this book is for you!

Read my full book review here

Grab your own little bit of peace here

The Anxiety Book by Elisa Black

The Anxiety book has been out a couple of years, but I go back to it time and again when I need reassurance that I’m not a complete weirdo. It’s not a self-help book per say, it’s more the flashbacks, phobias and ramblings of an anxiety sufferer to which I could relate on so many levels.

This book helped me to recognise when anxiety rears its ugly head, or imposter syndrome kicks in and allows me to deal with it before me, and my poor partner have to experience a meltdown.

A must-read for anyone who suffers from anxiety, worry and panic attacks. We are all a little weird, but we can make it better.

Read my interview with author Elisa Black here

Grab a copy and know you aren’t a complete weirdo for being an ‘oversensitive’ person here!

Get Your Sh*t Together by Sarah Knight

Here it is! The second in my choice of sweary self-help books. Much in the same vein as Gary John Bishop, Sarah Knight doesn’t sugar coat your problems. The difference with Sarah is that the boot up the bottom is quite so hard. There are some great tips here, from dealing with money problems, managing your social obligations and even as far as never losing your house keys again!

If you are feeling the pressures of everyday life and starting to feel a little overwhelmed I thoroughly recommend Get Your Sh*t Together. I passed my copy around a few friends who found it useful too!

Looking forward to Sarah Knights next book Calm The F*ck Down.

See my in-depth review here

Pick up your own sweary, but carey copy here

Hopefully, these books for a healthy mind can go some way to making your days easier, your nights peaceful for you and those you care about.