The poet Joseph Addison said, “Reading to the mind is what exercise is to the body.” Multiple studies have shown that opening a book can increase your focus, reduce stress, and help you sleep better.
And stress management coach in Seattle, Emily Ballesteros, considers reading her favorite habit, which she sees as encouraging calming stress and focusing on one thing.
Ballesteros said reading can be especially useful during the winter holidays because it not only improves your mood, but can also teach you how to live a happier and healthier life in 2022.
She provided tips on the top 5 favorite books about mental health and self-care, according to what she told CNBC and reviewed by Al Arabiya.net.
Essence: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Greg McKeown)
Where the writer points out that answering one question may have a more positive impact on living happily, which is “What can you give up in your life to be happier?”
In his book, McKeown, a leadership and business strategist, teaches readers the secret to achieving success without worry: Be very clear about what you feel is essential to you and don’t overthink or overexert yourself.
Ballesteros describes “The Essence” as easy to read, and places it among her top recommendations for people who suffer from fatigue and a lack of vision of what is most important to them in life.
Do Nothing: How to Get Rid of Overwork and Get Energized (Celeste Headley)
The book focuses on the necessity of investing leisure time, as it is a deep investigation into the roots of capitalism, work, and the obsession with productivity. It encourages readers to invest in leisure, calm, and focus on their relationships.
Headley pointed out, for example, that people are accustomed to work with sunrise and sunset, and then with the discovery of candles, lamps, and electricity, and the matter has gone beyond the days of the day and the continuation of work, that with almost every hour the processes of tension and pressure increase.
Ballesteros believes that this book, provides a reminder to people that life is broader than work, and there are things that can be more beneficial than the increased fatigue caused by continuous work.
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Control Your Life (Henry Cloud)
Psychologist, Henry Cloud, explores the science behind setting boundaries to help people break free from the guilt complex that prevents them from setting boundaries in their lives. It also offers tools and talking points to better manage your limits.
Ballesteros cites the behavior of some people who are unable to refuse in their lives, and who find it difficult to say “no” all the time.
Ballesteros: Boundaries is a good guide for people who don’t know how to set boundaries. It also “reminds you that you are not responsible for the way people respond to your boundaries, and that it’s okay if you disturb certain people’s boundaries – a message that many people need to hear.”
High Performance Habits: How People Become Extraordinary This Way (Brendon Burchard)
Deciding to change your life can be powerful, but taking steps to do so often leads to confusion, anxiety, and fear. You may ask yourself: “Where do I begin?” or “Is this true?”.
Performance coach Burchard has spent 3 years and nearly $1 million studying high achievers to identify the 6 habits everyone should adopt to improve their personal and professional lives.
In Ballesteros’ opinion, the stories presented by the writer are inspiring and attractive, which together prove how developing these habits made these people more effective.
Some of Burchard’s tips include showing courage, recharging throughout the day, and setting clear steps for achieving goals.
Atomic Habits: An Easy, Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Habits (James Clear)
Commitment is the biggest challenge people face when they decide to incorporate a new healthy habit into their lives.
Claire’s bestselling guide, Atomic Habits, shows how to use small changes to achieve big results. The book also talks about how to overcome a lack of motivation and how to get back on track in times of relapse to change a bad habit.
But more importantly, as Ballesteros sees, it reveals the secret of sticking to a habit, which is connecting it to your identity.
“Sometimes, you have to be willing to fully identify that you are someone who does a habit, like reading or walking every day, and in order to achieve that in this busy world, the right habits can help you become the person you want to be,” Ballesteros said.
