Self-Care: Books and Resources To Help You Transform Your Life

There’s an old saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup” but you can refill it and what you choose to fill it with makes all the difference.

When tend to believe that self-care is a warm bubble bath, a relaxing massage or a glass of wine. While those little luxuries certainly help us to slow down and unwind, they aren’t the foundation for proper, consistent self-care. Interestingly enough, self-care isn’t a luxury at all. Rather it’s an intentional practice that allows you to replenish your energy, regain clarity and steady your sense of direction when life is pulling you in different directions. When you give yourself the permission to pause, recharge and reset you’re building the strength and resilience to show up more fully for yourself. The better you care for your mental, emotional and physical well-being, the more capacity you will have for the people and priorities that matter in your life. If you’d like to know more about proper self-care CLICK HERE to explore the SPIRE framework by Tal Ben-Shahar and learn how to check-in with yourself to determine what you need more (or less) of each day.

One of the best ways to begin filling your cup is by seeking out inspiration and wisdom from others who have walked the same path before you. I’ve gathered a list of powerful self-help books and resources that will guide and encourage you on your journey of growth. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to start. For a richer more supportive experience that offers accountability, structured tools and a personal touch, I offer one-on-one coaching services which might be a good fit for you. If you’d like to learn more, please reach out and schedule your complimentary coaching call with me.

BOOKS

• “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown

• “Atomic Habits” by James Clear

• “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor

• “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” by Héctor García & Francesc Miralles

• “Wherever You Go, There You Are” by Jon Kabat-Zinn

• “Self-Compassion” by Kristin Neff

• “Building a Non-Anxious Life” by John Delony

• “Powered By Me: From Burned Out to Fully Charged” by Neha Sangwan

• “Blue Zones of Happiness” by Dan Buettner

• “Build the Life You Want” by Albert C. Brooks

• “Happier No Matter What” by Tal Ben-Shahar

• “5 Practices of Highly Resilient People” by Taryn Marie Stejskal

  WEBSITES

• Greater Good Science Center – greatergood.berkeley.edu
  Evidence-based articles on happiness, compassion and mindfulness.

• Positive Psychology Center (UPenn) – positivepsychology.org
  Research-backed resources and tools.

• Mindful.org – mindful.org
  Practical tips and guided practices for living mindfully.

• Tiny Buddha – tinybuddha.com
  Bite-sized wisdom on happiness, relationships and self-discovery.

• Becoming Minimalist – becomingminimalist.com
  Inspiration to simplify life and focus on what matters most.

  PODCASTS

• The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
  Science-based tips for living a happier life.

• Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
  Deep conversations on vulnerability, courage and wholehearted living.

• The Mel Robbins Podcast
  Real talk and science backed tools to help change your life for the better.

• Optimal Living Daily
  Curated readings of top self-improvement blogs for quick daily inspiration.

• On Purpose with Jay Shetty
  Insightful interviews about meaning, mindset, and personal growth.

• The Calm Collective
  Gentle conversations on mindfulness, simplicity and intentional living.

  APPS & DIGITAL TOOLS

• Insight Timer – Free meditations, sleep tracks, and courses.

• Headspace – Mindfulness training and stress-reduction techniques.

• Calm – Guided meditation, breathing exercises and sleep stories.

• Happify – Science-based games and activities for positive emotions.

• Daylio – Simple mood tracker and journal to see patterns in your well-being.