Nearly every book shop will have a designated section for the self-help books genre, whose popularity is rapidly increasing. With private therapy costs so high and the long waiting times for counselling with the NHS, people are turning to a more affordable way to understand their feelings and gain insight into techniques that could potentially help. Anxiety is at an all-time high and mental health conditions are being more widely acknowledged, meaning that there is a need for a variation of self-help books tailored to fit specific issues. With this wide range to choose from, I have narrowed down some that focus on different areas and hope that they will be of use to you if needed.
Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers
This motivational best seller was written in 1987 and is still as relevant, and needed, for many today. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway launched Susan Jeffers’s career and this specific title has been read by over two million people. It consists of 12 chapters filled with examples of situations and the generic initial thoughts. It then offers an alternative, using techniques and diagrams to show how to incorporate this way of thinking. Susan uses relatable stories which enables the book to have a personal feel and makes sure the outcomes of the various examples are successful. The author is a big ambassador of mantras and the practice of saying these multiple times daily to help ground us and steady our emotions. These feature throughout the book, as does the explanation of how our thoughts can control both our emotions and physical being. Personally, I would say that this book is a good ‘all-rounder’ and will help anyone to feel empowered and as though anything is possible.
Sensitive is the New Strong by Anita Moorjani
This wonderfully written book is specifically aimed at empaths, who are usually viewed as ‘too sensitive’. You will know if you identify as an empath if you feel emotionally invested in other people’s problems and want to do everything you can to fix them due to a strong connection felt. It can be mentally exhausting being extra empathic, and the assumption that being this way means it is a weakness can be rather frustrating. Sensitive is the New Strong allows this stigma to be challenged and shows how this personality trait can be used to the individual’s advantage. It provides exercises to allow the reader to practice what has been learned in that section and suggests ways to navigate certain situations. Each chapter ends with a meditation to bring the focus onto what has been spoken about. It is a book that can be beneficial to both those who are empaths, and friends and family who would like more understanding of this.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Untamed was released in 2020 and became an instant bestseller. It is defined as a memoir, but the autobiographical information is mainly used for examples of how Glennon used her thought processes to overcome certain situations within her life so far. Throughout the book, there is reference to the higher self and the knowledge that we can find by listening to the voice within. It is split into three parts: ‘Caged’, ‘Keys,’ and ‘Free’. During the one-word chapters, the reader is taken on a journey of times in the author’s life where she has been forced by society to be a certain way. The opinions of others are ingrained into us, and the book shows the effect that this has had on the author and her family. The tagline is ‘stop pleasing, start living’ and nearly every page had an epiphany moment for me personally. There is so much valuable, relatable information and I can see why this book is so popular. It is extremely empowering and asks throughout, ‘who were you before the world told you who to be?’.
The Chimp Paradox by Prof Steve Peters
This book was written by Prof Steve Peters, a Consultant Psychologist who has worked in the field for over 20 years, therefore he knows what he is talking about! A lot of people I have spoken to who have suffered with depression and/or anxiety have been recommended this book and have found it very helpful. It is split into three parts: ‘Your Inner Mind Explored’, ‘Day-to-Day Functioning’ and ‘Your Health, Success and Happiness’. The difference with this book is that it explains the science and psychology that has an impact on our thoughts. Peters’ uses diagrams and pictures to explain his ‘mind management model’, which centres around our minds having two entities in our heads: the Human and the Chimp. The human is rational and uses logic to deal with situations, whereas the chimp acts on initial instinct and emotions. This book is all about learning how to understand, and therefore control, the chimp and recognise when it is this that is causing our reactions. This bestseller is credited with helping Olympians to achieve gold medals and it has accompanying worksheets and videos to help those reading if they want to follow the model further.
Other books which receive high acclaim:
-The Secret by Rhona Byrne
-Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
-You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
There are many mental health charities which will be able to give you specific support if needed. However, if you are struggling and need someone to talk to, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or you can email them at [email protected]
If you have read any self-help books which have had an impact on you, please let me know!