Looking after our wellbeing has never been more important. From practical advice to honest personal stories, these are the must-read books about mental health to read now.
9 Must-Read Books About Mental Health
Good Vibes, Good Life
By Vex King
The Sunday Times bestseller has sold over 500 thousand copies worldwide, and it’s easy to see why. King’s book is filled with inspiring and informative content, from overcoming toxic energy and manifesting your goals to cultivating positive lifestyle habits and finding your higher purpose. Good Vibes, Good Life will bring you on a spiritual and emotional journey towards self-love.
From the author of Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (and Other Lies), Scarlett Curtis aims to shed light and bring awareness to a hugely important topic by speaking to inspirational people about their mental health. Packed with humour and relatable stories from over sixty high-profile figures, It’s Not Ok to Feel Blue is the conversation around mental health that is very much needed.
We have all felt the pressure of working from home in recent years, with some feeling the need to work longer hours while others may find it harder to simply switch off in the evenings. In Working Hard, Hardly Working, self-proclaimed ‘lazy workaholic’ Grace Beverley gives advice to help you focus during work, avoid burnout, and become more productive. Refreshingly honest and insightful, it will have you questioning what you really want from work and life.
From bestselling author and broadcaster Fearne Cotton, Speak Your Truth is based on Cotton’s very own experience of losing her voice following a throat operation. Reflecting on all the times her voice had gone unheard, Speak Your Truth delves into all the ways we are silenced at the expense of our own happiness and wellbeing. This deeply personal and honest novel will empower you to find your true voice and speak with confidence.
A true story of how Matt Haig learned to live better, love better and feel more alive after suffering with depression, Reasons To Stay Alive is one of the most famous books about mental health. A warming and life-affirming read for anyone looking to make the most out of their time on earth. As Matt himself says, ‘the tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven’t been able to see it.’
Bella Mackie ended her twenties divorced and struggling with her mental health. Feeling unmotivated on a daily basis, she decided to do something she had never done before – to go for a run. With each day becoming easier than the day before, Jog On shares an amusing and raw account of how running saved Bella’s life. With relatable insights and practical advice on how to cope with crippling anxiety, this book will help you to get your life back on track.
If you ever experience the feeling that you are not good enough, you are certainly not alone – and books about mental health can help illustrate this. Take a leaf out of this empowering book written by award-winning blogger Chidera Eggerue, also known for her online campaign #SaggyBoobsMatter. The empowering book will be your personal life guru – brimming with important advice and motivational tips to improve your self-esteem, invest in self-care and celebrate yourself in this messy world.
Have you ever wondered what your therapist is thinking? New York Times bestselling author Lori Gottlieb offers insight into the mind of a professional therapist. Sharing intimate details of her own experience with getting help, Lori takes readers behind the scenes at her practice and offers a rare and honest account of therapy from both sides. Told with compassion, humour and vulnerability, the uplifting book shares the powerful ways we can transform our lives for the better.
They say smiling can help reduce our heart rate and recover faster from stress – but sometimes, it’s not that easy. Dan Alborough’s book aims to bring a bit of optimism into our lives through bite-sized reminders and notes on how to look on the bright side of life. You can read one each morning to start your day on a positive note – consider it your daily dose of sunshine.