Without fail, Netflix has become my winding down after a long workday ritual — and while the streaming-induced trance is pleasant at the moment, my bad habit has had an overall negative effect on my well-being.
My daily binging has manifested itself into a less productive, less healthy (due to snacking and late nights), and less happy lifestyle. So, I've decided to press pause on my Parks and Recreation marathon and deep-dive into some self-care books [1] post nine-to-five.
Instead of catching up with Leslie Knope and the Pawnee gang, I'm investing my time in myself with the following self-help reads. Each will supply me with the tools to live an all-around better life — starting with how I feel about myself [2].
Girl, Wash Your Face
Rachel Hollis, author and the founder of TheChicSite.com, knows the reality of being your own harshest critic. In her book, Girl, Wash Your Face [5] ($12), she's shedding light on 20 harmful lies she continuously told herself, and how to overcome these self-inflicted, false realities. Her goal: to empower others to live with passion and drive by providing practical strategies for finding self-worth through humor and honesty.
The Self-Love Experiment
The Self-Love Experiment: Fifteen Principles for Becoming More Kind, Compassionate, and Accepting of Yourself [6] ($9) is a book that needs little explanation beyond its title. In this self-care guide, author Shannon Kaiser shares her simple plan for overcoming fear-based thought to live a purposeful, fulfilling life. These secrets to self-love were proven effective first hand by Kaiser, who was able to find happiness after struggling with eating disorders, drug addictions, corporate burnout, and depression.
Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You
Before the success of his Broadway musical, Hamilton, composer Lin-Manuel Miranda [7] was inspiring thousands of Twitter users with original positive sayings, aphorisms, and poetry. In his The New York Times-bestselling book, Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You [8] ($11), Miranda compiled his collection of affirmations — paired them with illustrations by acclaimed artist Jonny Sun — and created an assemblage of quick-read pick-me-ups.
Make Your Bed
After a video of Admiral William H. McRaven's inspirational commencement speech at the University of Texas at Austin went viral, he decided to write a book around his powerful message: the ten principles that helped him through the challenges of his Naval career. Now, Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World [9] ($12) is inspiring many to challenge themselves to achieve more by overcome life's trying moments.
The Happiness Project
One day while riding a city bus, author Gretchen Rubin decided she would dedicate her year to focusing solely on the things that really matter — she called this journey her "happiness project." In her book, The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun [10] ($14), she explains how twelve months of challenging herself and simplifying her life made her a happy person.
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