One of the best ways to deal with a mental health crisis is to read. It is no surprise that psychologists recommend reading as one way to cope with mental health crises.
Here are 10 of the best books for mental health that will come in handy anytime, anyplace. So, let us take one more step further towards self-care.
“Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It” by Ethan Kross
The book is just as interesting as its title. If you miss talking to your friends in real life, this is the book for you. By psychologist Ethan Kross, Chatter is all about positive self-talk and how negative thoughts can impact our overall personalities.
We often feel that negative reviews do not have much impact, but they have the most impact. And this book is all about that. The book also includes different case studies, including a Harvard student who lives life as a double-spy.
“The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health” by Rheeda Walker, Ph.D.
You can tell from the title how intense the book is. This masterpiece by Rheeda Walker talks about how systematic racism has negatively affected the lives of African-Americans.
It highlights the issues in great detail about how much self-care is needed for people going through racism and tips towards self-care.
“The New Normal: A Roadmap to Resilience in the Pandemic Era” by Jennifer Ashton, M.D., M.S.
This book is a reality check in simple words. It is for the people who were in a state of denial during the pandemic crisis and did not accept it for what it is.
The New Normal talks about taking reality as it is and not what you want it to be. ABC News’s Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Ashton, wrote this book on mental health.
It knocks some sense into its readers by telling them to accept the situation for what it is. People need this quality during a pandemic.
“Can’t Even: How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation” by Anne Helen Petersen.
As the title suggests, this book is a unique take on the modernization of this current generation. From using emojis in every conversation to sharing vital articles online, this book has it all.
The book by Petersen is all about unrealistic expectations of success and how the modern way of life and maintaining a social media presence has changed people’s lives completely.
The article went viral, and many people were taking a keen interest in this book. It means it has something great to offer.
“10% Happier” by Dan Harris
For anyone having panic attacks a day in and day out, this is the book for you. After having a panic attack on live television, ABC News correspondent Dan Harris felt he needed to make some changes to his life. And so, this book was born.
It talks about how to tap into your consciousness and feed it with positivity. The book tells you how to shut down negative voices. If that is not good for mental health, then we don’t know what is.
“Little Panic: Dispatches from an Anxious Life” by Amanda Stern
The book by Amanda Stern is something that everyone in this world can relate to at least once, is being misunderstood.
Little Panic is all about living a life of anxiousness and panic, where the mind and body are not in sync at all. The writer was diagnosed with a panic disorder at 25, which is why this book has a real inspiration. She can help a lot of others like her.
“Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World” by Vivek H. Murthy M.D.
“Together” is all for helping people who feel lonely. When social distancing makes it hard to be around others, this book is your go-to anecdote to any loneliness.
In this book, Dr. Murthy talks about loneliness being a public health concern.
According to him, it must be dealt with properly to deal with the adverse effects on the people. He says that all sorts of mental health issues are somehow connected to loneliness.
“How to Change Your Mind” by Michael Pollan
How to Change Your Mind is a book that digs into mental health issues and the effects of psychedelic drugs. The author, Michael Pollan, has a unique take on mental health.
He talks about how LSD and psilocybin are being used to treat people with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
“I’m Telling the Truth, But I’m Lying” by Bassey Ikpi
We always say, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but it is the opposite in this case. That is not the case here because not only is it chock-full of information from the inside, but it also looks good on the outside. In addition, the book has an interesting backstory.
It is based on the story of a Nigerian-American immigrant struggling with bipolar two disorder. Her essays challenge the idea of what it means to be expected. And how mental health is an essential aspect of our lives and should not be taken lightly.
“The Collected Schizophrenias” by Esmé Weijun Wang
In this book, Esmé Weijun Wang, a former researcher at Stanford, talks about her diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.
She writes about everything. From dealing with the diagnosis to coming up with coping mechanisms and everything in between. Her book is a perfect blend of a personal take on things coupled with rigorous research.
These best books on mental health are any reader’s perfect guide to a happy mind and a happy life. We often underestimate the value of good mental health or psychological control.
But often, we get stuck in situations because of being too stressed out or depressed. Therefore, good mental health is ideal, and these books help you do exactly that.
A happy mind means a happy life. And why not work towards it? Step by step, move towards self-care.
Happy reading!
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