Nourishing the Mind: Top Therapy Reads of 2024
Do you love delving into the self help section of your local bookshop? Are you a sucker for the latest “how to sort out your life” book? Some are good and some are not so good, but what are the best self-help books? The ones that offer insight, comfort and inspiration and can really make an impact in nudging changing? I am a self help enthusiast, book lover and psychotherapist. Here are some of my favourite development books for 2024, each offering its own unique perspective and wisdom that can provide inspo and may create you to take action and change behaviour.
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith
Clinical psychologist Dr Julie Smith presents a collection of coping strategies for everyday life aimed at building resilience and restoring control. Dr Smith has attracted millions of followers on social media, through which she also presents educational content in digestible sections. So whether you want to manage your low moods or anxiety, learn how to motivate yourself better or develop your self-confidence read away.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
This is one of my ALL TIME favourites “Atomic Habits” is a groundbreaking exploration of the power of tiny changes. Dive into practical strategies that will help you build positive habits and break free from those holding you back. From inspiring stories of Olympic gold medallists and leading CEOs to cutting-edge psychology and simple life hacks, in Atomic Habits you’ll learn the science and compound effect of tiny habits that will keep you productive, motivated and happy.
Gut Feelings by Dr Will Cole
Leading functional health expert Will Cole, explores the intricate relationship between what you eat and how you feel. He covers not only how a compromised gut can manifest as negative emotional feelings but also how your mindset impacts your gut.
Just One Thing by Dr Michael Mosley
I like small, bite sized things (Whats App messages, snacks, time with people). This book is packed with small and simple steps to help improve your physical and mental health. For example, did you know that having more houseplants can boost your brain-power and productivity, or that chocolate is not just the way to a person’s heart but also a way to help that most vital organ. Dr Mosley chats to experts and road tests the solutions he presents in these pages in his quest to find ‘just one thing’ that can make a difference to your life today.
The Discomfort zone by Farrah Storr
One of my favourite sayings is “do something every day that scares you a little bit.” It’s human nature to favour things within our comfort zones but if we stay comfrotable we do not grow. The former editor of Elle UK, Farrah Storr, has penned this eloquent guide to moving towards the things that scare us and finding power in facing challenges head on. Her book teaches an adaptable method to allow you to feel the fear and do it anyway. Storr shares that “brief moments of discomfort” are what help us to grow and get to where we need to be, and how exploring our discomfort zones can propel us to achieve great things.
Speak Your Truth by Fearne Cotton
Speak Your Truth came to be when Fearne was told that she was at risk of needing a throat operation. A voice that’s familiar to millions through television, radio or her Happy Place podcast, in Speak Your Truth, Fearne contemplates what silence would mean for her, and reflects on times her voice has gone unheard as a young woman. Brave, vulnerable and deeply personal, Speak Your Truth dives into all the ways we learn to stay quiet for the wrong reasons and explores how to find your voice, assert yourself and speak out with confidence.
The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner
The older I have got, the more intrigued I have become by the things we can do to live longer. This book from explorer, educator and presenter Dan Buettner, combines his research with stunning imagery from National Geographic photographers. Costa Rica and California are among the destinations he visits in search of the best strategies for longevity, which he finds in the Blue Zones – places around the world where people enjoy longer and fuller lives. This book works perfectly as a companion to Buettner’s Netflix series Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.
Financial Wellness And How To Find It by Melaine Eusebe
Full of tools and resources to reset your relationship with money, Financial Wellness and How to Find It will teach you to approach your finances as you do your health and wellness and take positive action towards financial happiness. And that doesn’t necessarily mean being rich – instead, this book will help you understand your emotions around money and become aware of how your self-worth impacts what you think you deserve. An essential read for anyone who wants to get a better grip on their finances for 2024.
Me Vs Brain: An overthinkers guide to life by Hayley Morris
In her warm and witty debut about living with intrusive thoughts and anxiety, Hayley Morris shows that being an overthinker is both a blessing and a curse. She confronts the funny moments that arise when your brain and body refuse to cooperate and your inner voice won’t shut up. No subject is too taboo for Hayley, whether that’s forgetting how to walk when people are watching or the frustrations of dating. Me vs. Brain is for any reader hoping to befriend their brain, even when it’s “scatty, annoying, and wrong about basically everything.” A great book for any overthinkers or for those who love overthinkers and don’t understand how their mind works.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many remarkable books that continue to enrich and inspire anyone interested in the human experience. Whether you're seeking practical strategies for coping with stress, insights into the nature of resilience or simply a deeper understanding of yourself and others, these books offer invaluable guidance and wisdom.
Let me know if I have missed off any of your favourites. What would your go to self help book be?