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Self-help, self-improvement, self-love whatever you want to call these books – there are SO many of them out there that it’s hard to know which self-help books are actually worth reading and which ones a total BS. Pretty much at all times I’m reading at least one fiction book and one self-help book so I’ve gotten through quite a few in my day. My BS detector goes off quickly but the ones that leave a powerful impact I find I go back to again and again. Not to mention sending them off to people I love. So I thought I would round-up a few of my favorite self-help books actually worth reading to inspire you to learn a thing or two right now.

8 Self-Help Books Actually Worth Reading

10% Happier

I read this one 5 or 6 years ago and it was my first introduction to meditation (besides in yoga class). Written by CBS new anchor Dan Harris, this book tells the story of how he burned himself out and used meditation to get him back into a healthier headspace. For anyone wanting a very lay person and actionable approach to meditation, you will love this book.

Daring Greatly

Vulnerability feels like a buzzword these days and this is largely thanks to Brene Brown’s profound research on its deep impact on our lives. To be honest, any of her books will inspire you but I encourage you to start with this one as it introduces you to the concept of what it truly means to be vulnerable and brave in your own life.

The Four Agreements

One of the more spiritual books on this list, The Four Agreements should basically be required reading for anyone trying to live a more authentic life. Trying to explain the premise of this book would sound absurd so I won’t synthesize it for you other than to say that the 4 lessons will leave a huge impact on your life and you will forever be “exceptional with your words”.

The Untethered Soul

If you find yourself constantly living in your own head this book will change your life. While I certainly still continue to live with a lot of fear and anxiety, this book helps you to disengage from those thoughts and begin to see your thoughts as just that: thoughts. Though cultivating witness consciousness is an active and daily practice, this introduction to the idea just might change the way you think.

Codependent No More

An odd one for the list but I couldn’t share a list of self-help books without including Codependent No More. The original codependency book, it literally introduced the word “codependency” to the world. Now this may sound a little controversial but I do think we all have a little bit of codependency in all of us. More than anything, this book is about boundaries and how to care for others and ourselves without it becoming unhealthy attachment. A must-read for everyone.

Why We Sleep

I’ve always been a big proponent of sleep, but this book will really drill down why it’s so important for our health. Based on decades of research this book explores our sleep history and the potential health impacts of not sleeping enough. It also looks at sleep disorders and how to create a better sleep hygiene routine.

Irresistible

I mentioned this one in my break from Instagram post – this book really woke me up the the unhealthy ways technology has infiltrated our lives. Now, don’t get me wrong, technology is essential and important, but this book looks at where things have been taken too far and why we’ve allowed it to happen.

Essentialism

A must-read for any business owner or anyone looking to work more efficiently. People ask me all the time how I get so much done in a day. To be honest, I don’t really feel like I do but I also work very hard to be as efficient with my time as possible and not get bogged down in the stuff that doesn’t matter. This book teaches you how.

This list could honestly go on for days but these are the 8 self-help books I find myself going back to and consistently recommending to friends. I hope this list can get you started on your journey or inspire a little change in your life. Happy reading!

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Meet the Maven

Hi! I'm Davida and welcome to my corner of the internet. I'm a wellness blogger, yoga teacher, certified herbalist, and green beauty lover.

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6 Comments

  1. Yes! The Four Agreements is one of my absolute faves!
    It’s one of those books you could read again and again, right?

  2. I love when you post book recommendations. I’ve gotten at least 3 new books to read every time that you do 🙂 This is a fantastic summary of the value of each book.

  3. You have likely already read it, but I LOVE “You are a Badass” by Jen Sincero. The audio version is great. She manages to encourage the reader without sounding like your typical self help guru.