At Simple Holistic Wellbeing, we’re all about suggesting ways to help our readers improve the quality of their health and wellbeing. Bookstore self-help sections are bursting with a huge variety of books, and the library even more so. It can be hard to know where to start.
If you are looking for the best books on health and wellbeing with excellent tips based on solid research, and I’ve listed eight of the best books on available today.
When you consider the context of the last three years, it’s no wonder that books on health and wellbeing are frequently found on best-seller lists around the world.
Regardless of age, gender, or background, we have all experienced stress, anxiety, and other health and wellbeing issues at some point in our lives. Keep reading for an overview of what we think are the 8 best books on wellbeing.
Best Books On Wellbeing #1
The Gifts Of Imperfection By Brené Brown (2010)
Brené Brown’s inspirational book The Gifts of Imperfection inspires readers to embrace their true selves and live wholeheartedly. Based on Brown’s study on shame and vulnerability, the book offers helpful insights and techniques for overcoming the fear of being flawed and embracing vulnerability as a strength.
With over two million copies sold across thirty countries, perhaps it is Brown’s use of personal anecdotes and experiences to emphasise her views that makes The Gifts of Imperfection such an engrossing and relatable read that can help you improve your health and wellbeing.
The Gifts of Imperfection promotes wellbeing through the lens of self-acceptance. Brown’s central message encourages readers to let go of perfectionism, shame, and self-doubt and instead focus on cultivating self-compassion, resilience, and gratitude.
The main take-away message is the idea that flaws are not something to be embarrassed of but rather a source of strength. Brown writes, “Our imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together,” and she suggests that in order to connect more deeply with ourselves and others and live more purposeful, rewarding lives, we must learn to embrace our flaws and vulnerabilities.
Her writing is sincere, kind, and motivating, and Brown’s views are supported by years of study and firsthand knowledge. This book is a great tool if you want to live a more genuine and heartfelt life.
Best Books On Wellbeing #2
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod (2012)
Hal Elrod’s wildly popular book, The Miracle Morning is great for people who reluctantly get out of bed in the morning and have a sluggish start to the day.
In the book, Elrod says that anyone can transform their life simply by changing the way they begin their day, since our morning habits ultimately set the tone for the rest of our day. And daily habits set the tone for the rest of our lives and are a foundation of our health and wellbeing.
According to Elrod, dedicating time to self-improvement and personal growth first thing in the morning is the best way we can create a powerful daily routine that will lead a happy, successful life.
Elrod writes that anyone can transform their lives for the better if they have the discipline to introduce six habits, or “SAVERS”, to their mornings. “SAVERS” is an acronym for:
Silence (meditation, prayer, or deep breathing)
Affirmations (positive self-talk and affirmations)
Visualisation (visualising your goals and dreams)
Exercise (moving your body and getting active)
Reading (reading self-improvement and personal growth books)
Scribing (writing in a journal).
Written in an accessible style, the book’s most appealing quality is how easily it can be read, making it a useful read for any adult. In straightforward prose, Elrod shows the reader how they can carry out SAVERS in their morning routine.
So if you’re someone who has always secretly believed that your daily routines could be more productive and beneficial, The Miracle Morning is sure to inspire you to start each day with purpose and meaning. The book has resonated with millions of readers, selling 3.5 million copies worldwide.
Whether you want to improve your work, relationships, or overall sense of health and wellbeing, this book is an excellent resource.
Paperback page count: 224
Best Books On Wellbeing #3
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig (2015)
Matt Haig is an international best-selling author who has spoken candidly about his mental health to Stay Alive is a must-read memoir for anyone who is trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel. In short, easily-digestible chapters, Haig begins by recounting his battle with depression and anxiety, which culminated in a breakdown at age 24, and what follows is a description of exactly how he fought his way back to health.
Readers wanting to learn from someone sharing their true experiences will appreciate Haig’s raw and honest writing style and how he doesn’t shy away from revealing what must have been the most troubling portion of his life. Haig acknowledges that sometimes it’s ok not to be ok. He gives us permission to feel our emotions and acknowledges that poor mental health is a valid – and often life-threatening – struggle.
What makes this such an inspiring read is that Haig also shares the things that brought him joy and writes about the people who kept him going. And, as you may have guessed from the title, in the most powerful section of the book he lists the many reasons to stay alive.
If you are suffering, or know someone suffering from anxiety or depression (so pretty much everyone these days), you may be wondering how a book can be of any use to you. It’s worth checking out the book’s reviews, many of which call it a great book on health and wellbeing.
Paperback page count: 272
Best Books On Wellbeing #4
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (2010)
Have you ever found yourself daunted by every day tasks, or unable to keep on top of chores? Is your mood greatly affected by how tidy (or untidy!) your house has become? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should read Marie Kondo’s New York Times Best Seller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
You don’t have to be an extreme hoarder to experience the wellbeing it brings to shed unnecessary items from your life and keep only the items that serve a purpose or spark joy. That’s what the KonMarie Method™ is all about. Instead of working room by room, as many methods suggest, Kondo recommends tackling your clutter in categories: first clothes, then books, then papers, then miscellaneous items, and finally the trickiest category: sentimental items.
The book introduces the reader to a new philosophy of how we regard our items. Kondo’s approach is not about living a minimalist life or forcing you to throw everything away; rather, she encourages you to take stock of every item you own and ask whether it is serving you, whether it sparks joy, and whether you would miss it.
Without realising it, we have filled our lives with stuff that quietly nags at us. The clothes you haven’t worn in years. The vase you were gifted but secretly don’t like Boxes of photographs you inherited and feel you can’t throw away. Papers. Nicknacks. Stuff. If none of that sounds familiar, congratulations! You are already living an unburdened life. But if you feel drawn to a book that supports you in letting go of items you didn’t know were weighing you down, then for your own wellbeing, this one is a must-read.
Paperback page count: 256
Best Books On Wellbeing #5
Atomic Habits by James Clear (2018)
If you’re not one of the ten million people who have bought a copy of James Clear’s book, which, by its subtitle, claims to be ‘an easy and proven way to build good habits and break bad ones’, then you’re missing out on a really decent read.
The second book on this list which centres around the idea that our daily habits can be the key to our wellbeing, Atomic Habits uses real-life examples and research studies to bring the author’s ideas to life, and help readers understand how they can be applied to improve themselves.
Clear believes that if you want to break bad habits and start to build good ones for your own wellbeing, you must first understand the way habits work. He breaks down the habit-forming process into four stages:
- The cue, which signals or prompts us to engage in a particular behaviour, and sets the stage for the habit to occur.
- The craving that follows the cue. This is the moment when we feel compelled to engage in the behaviour.
- The response, which is the behaviour – the habit itself, which occurs in response to the cue and the craving.
- The reward, which is the outcome of the behaviour. It’s the positive experience that reinforces the habit and makes us more likely to engage in it again in the future.
Together, these four stages form a loop that drives our habits. If you’re not convinced, think about how these stages might relate to your snacking or how often you pick up your phone to check social media!
Clear writes that by understanding these stages and intentionally manipulating them, we can create new, positive habits that support our wellbeing. He also offers a range of specific strategies, such as ‘habit stacking’, and ‘small wins’, for making positive changes in our lives.
Clear’s strategies are both practical and evidence-based, drawing on research from psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural economics. His prose is straightforward and accessible to readers of all levels. Whether you’re looking to break a bad habit, start a new one, or simply understand how habits work, this is a great book that is sure to empower you.
Paperback page count: 320
Best Books On Wellbeing #6
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Julie Smith (2022)
Dr. Julie Smith is a British clinical psychologist who became an online sensation when she took to TikTok to share her knowledge and advice during the pandemic. Drawing on her years of experience, she has used her skills and personable style to build a following of over four million followers, so it’s no wonder her book Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? hit the bestseller list.
The book is filled with secrets from a therapist’s toolkit and practical advice to help you optimise your mental health. Dr. Julie’s simple but expert advice and powerful coping techniques will help you stay resilient, no matter what life throws your way.
Written in short, bite-sized entries, this is the one book on my list that is most like a self-help ‘manual’ because you can turn straight to the section you need, depending on the challenge you’re facing, and immediately find the appropriate tools to help. The book has useful strategies for:
- Managing anxiety
- Dealing with criticism
- Battling low mood
- Building self-confidence
- Finding motivation
- Learning to forgive yourself
These are everyday issues that affect us all, and the book offers easy, practical solutions that might just change your life.
Paperback page count: 368
Best Books On Wellbeing #7
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles (2017)
Ikigai means ‘reason for living’, and considering Japan is currently the country with the highest number of supercentenarians – people who have lived beyond age 110 – it would seem that the philosophy of finding one’s Ikigai being the secret to a long, happy life, has some merit.
Ikigai is an insightful and thought-provoking book that delves into the ideology and culture of the Japanese people and their approach to finding purpose and meaning.
In the book, authors Garcia and Miralles take the reader on a journey through the various aspects of Japanese life that have contributed to their long life expectancy and overall sense of well-being. They spent time in the Japanese village with the highest percentage of 100-year-olds, interviewing the people and learning from their wisdom and their way of life.
If you’re interested in Japan and in the habits, the wisdom, and the philosophy of an extremely healthy community, you will find Ikigai a fascinating read. And don’t worry if you’ve never heard the word Ikigai in your life—the book explains the concept clearly and offers practical advice for anyone who wants to find their Ikigai.
Paperback page count: 208
Best Books On Wellbeing #8
Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab (2021)
As books on wellbeing go, Nedra Glover’s Set Boundaries, Find Peace is a motivating and practical guide to reclaiming your personal power by establishing healthy boundaries.
The book is divided into sections, each of which offers readers useful insights and practical tools for improving their mental health and relationships. The book asks the reader questions in each section, allowing you to reflect on your own boundaries, and whether your life will be improved by setting them.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace explores the importance of boundaries in many areas of our lives: in the workplace, with our friends and family, in our relationships, and on social media. According to Tawwab, setting boundaries can be crucial to improving our mental health and self-esteem, helping us feel more empowered and in control of our lives, as well as improving our ability to communicate effectively with others.
If you’ve ever found yourself feeling disrespected, taken advantage of, underappreciated, infringed upon, or out of control of some aspect of your life, this book may be of use.
Tawwab gives readers practical advice on how to identify and address boundary violations, emphasising the importance of self-awareness and self-care in the process. Set Boundaries, Find Peace may be especially beneficial to anyone who feels overwhelmed or unsupported in their relationships or personal life and is looking for a way to regain control of their own wellbeing.
Paperback page count: 282
Conclusion
Whether you’re a reader or not, if you’re looking for the best books on wellbeing, you’re sure to find something that speaks to you on this eclectic list. Let us know if any of these have helped you improve your health and wellbeing, or if you have any other suggestions in the comments below.
