• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Amy Hoogervorst

Integrative Health and Wellness Coach

  • WHAT IS HEALTH COACHING?
  • ABOUT AMY
  • SERVICES
  • BLOG
    • FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
    • MIND-BODY CONNECTION
    • MOVEMENT, EXERCISE AND REST
    • NUTRITION
    • PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
    • RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION
  • GET STARTED
    • SCHEDULE A FREE CALL
    • ACCESS FREE RESOURCES
    • VIEW ARCHIVED VIDEOS

Jun 23, 2018
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT· SELF CARE

5 Books that Could Boost Your Health This Summer

these 5 books could boost your health

If you’re looking for a summer read, may I offer a few ideas that go beyond the genre known informally as “romance novel to read while sitting on the beach?”

Not that there’s anything wrong with that genre! If that’s what you enjoy and what you need right now to decompress, go for it. And in that case, bookmark this for later when you’re wanting something else.

But if you’re ready for something meatier, something that may boost your health this summer, I have some ideas. Here are 5 books that I found recently to be interesting reads that I could use immediately. And later this year, I plan to re-read each one, which is something that I don’t often do.

Note: These are not affiliate links.; most of them connect to my local, independent bookstore. I encourage you to find an independent bookstore near you or utilize your public library whenever possible.

Here we go:

5 Books to Help Boost Your Health this Summer

1. Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? by Mark Hyman, M.D.

Chances are good that even your doctor is confused nowadays about what foods make up a healthy diet. Eggs were bad; now they’re good. Canola oil is “heart healthy” (but it’s terrible for you.) What can we believe?

Functional medicine doctor and author Mark Hyman sorts out the latest nutrition science and explains the role of food as medicine, capable of reversing chronic disease.

This is a guide to what we should eat, and what we shouldn’t – broken down by food group and served up with a buffet of general information we need to know about food. This summer, I plan to try some of the healthy recipes included in the book. And I’m keeping it, a field guide to healthful eating, in or near my kitchen as ready-reference.

2. A Mind of Your Own: The Truth About Depression and How Women Can Heal Their Bodies to Reclaim Their Lives, by Kelly Brogan, M.D.

A coaching client told me about this book after seeing an interview with the author, cognitive neuroscientist and holistic women’s health psychiatrist Kelly Brogan. Her lifestyle and nutritional recommendations aligned with others I’d heard in recent years (and some of my own experience), but she focuses on mental health specifically.

Brogan doesn’t mince words. She believes that “depression is a grossly misdiagnosed and mistreated condition today, especially among women – one in seven of whom is being medicated.”

Depression, she says, is a sure sign that something is off-balance in the body and needs to be remedied. But too often, no one goes searching for what is off-balance, she says. You wind up on an anti-depressant.

Brogan offers a 30-day plan of action toward “a natural high,” and recipes to get you started.

3. Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise, by Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers a brief guide for helping us find silence – and explaining how our avoidance of it can interfere with a full life. “Most of the time, our head is so full of thoughts that we have no space to listen to ourselves or anyone else,” he writes.

“Silence allows for deep listening and mindful response, the keys to full and honest communication.”

4. Counterclockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility, by Ellen J. Langer

In this book, which is nearly a decade old but new to me, social psychologist Ellen J. Langer suggests that our beliefs and expectations impact our health as much as doctors and diets do. This book on the “psychology of possibility” can help change the way you think.

“Mindful health is not about how we should eat right, exercise, or follow medical recommendations, nor is it about abandoning these things,” says Langer. “It is not about New Age medicine nor traditional understandings of illness. It is about the need to free ourselves from constricting mindsets and the limits they place on our health and well-being, and to appreciate the importance of becoming the guardians of our own health.”

As one who believes that we’re each our own best health advocate, I found Langer’s book interesting and affirming.

5. Learning to Walk in the Dark, by Barbara Brown Taylor

After reading this book, I wanted to read everything that Barbara Brown Taylor – writer, speaker, and spiritual contrarian – ever has written. I’m still working on that goal, and I’ll probably re-read this book before I get through all of her other books.

In this one, she asks us to put aside our fears and anxieties about the darkness. By exploring all that God has to teach us “in the dark,” we find courage. And we come to understand the world in new ways and feel God’s presence guiding us.

So, those are five books I’ve really enjoyed reading lately. What are you reading this summer?

I’m Amy Hoogervorst, an integrative health coach offering grace and space for a healthier you.  Thanks for reading! I also send a weekly email, the Weekly Well Check. It includes links and information that might be useful on your path to optimal health and well-being. If you’d like to receive it, please CLICK HERE to subscribe. 

Tweet
Share
Pin

Don’t Miss out

Join our newsletter to get all the latest!

Previous Post: « Reflecting on What I Learned in Spring 2018
Next Post: Being Aware – and Taking Care – of Our Own Needs »

Primary Sidebar

MEET AMY

Hi! I'm Amy Hoogervorst, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, integrative health coach, and creative entrepreneur offering grace and space for a healthier you. Read More…

Amy Hoogervorst is a ReCODE 2.0 Certified Health Coach. Badge is blue and green lettering primarily on a white background

Latest on the Blog

A Bredesen ReCODE coach helps people concerned about or living with cognitive decline implement lifestyle changes that are part of the Bredesen protocol. Colorful image depicts a brain with many synapses and activity

Recently I trained as a Bredesen ReCODE Coach, adding to my professional knowledge base and credentials as I look to help anyone concerned about their brain health. But my desire to prevent and reverse cognitive decline goes beyond a professional achievement. It’s deeply personal, too. About five years ago, someone close to me received a […]

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Latest on Instagram

Scenes from two hikes in the last week - with tons Scenes from two hikes in the last week - with tons of wildflowers! Today is the last day of National Wildflower Week, which raises awareness of the critical role these beauties play in sustaining biodiversity. Native wildflowers have relationships with local wildlife, supporting bees, birds, and butterflies for a living landscape. You also can create your own living landscape with native plants that will thrive in your area.

Find a Native Plant Society near you for more information, and shop native plant nurseries.
Sharing a few glimpses from the retreat I organize Sharing a few glimpses from the retreat I organized and facilitated last weekend in central North Carolina. What a lovely time apart from the world, yet in community. (Everyone else seemed to appreciate it, too!) A couple of days ago I received an email from a participant who said, "You made us all feel safe, welcomed and cared for emotionally and physically and I greatly appreciate that." 🥰

All of these participants said they'd do it again, too. We'd love for you to join us, when it happens. Next date TBD.

 I announce upcoming events and opportunities first through my WellCheck e-newsletter, so if you're not on my email list, that's the place to start. 💌 Visit amyhoogervorst.com/subscribe to add yourself!

#graceandspaceforahealthieryou #wellnessweekend #healingrhythms #retreat #mindbodyspirit #timeapart #timeforyou #lifepractices #integrativehealthcoach 
#compassion #connection
I'm no longer calling this exercise a Suitcase Car I'm no longer calling this exercise a Suitcase Carry. This kettlebell does not have wheels and my suitcase does! The 2023 name of this exercise is the Target Basket Carry.

Gym days = practice for real life situations. Go get it done, friends! You'll thank yourself.

#gymlife #practice #thisislife #strengthtraining #trainingforlife #strongwomen #agewell #kettlebell #carrythatweight #integrativehealthcoach #graceandspaceforahealthieryou
A Puppy PSA: No amount of caffeine (or sugar) can A Puppy PSA: No amount of caffeine (or sugar) can make up for a poor night's sleep.

Both caffeine and sugar, as well as a room that's too warm or bright or noisy, can interfere with sleep.

The good news, if your sleep wasn't up to par last night? You get another opportunity for quality rest tonight. (Or most anytime you want, if you're this guy.)

How can you set yourself up for success tonight? Think through what you already know about your habits and sleep hygiene. What's one small thing you might be able to do differently today or this evening that could lead to better sleep?

And in the interim ... Who else wants a nap? ✋🏼

#thursdaythoughts #psafromthedog #psafromahealthcoach #sleep #naptime #takecareofyou #restandrestore #westielife #selfcare #healthcoach #selfcareisntselfish #graceandspaceforahealthieryou
Follow on Instagram

Tags

accountability anxiety best self books challenge choices coaching dreams exercise faith faith and sweat fitness friends goals grace and space for a healthier you habits health health coaching healthy eating healthy food healthy lifestyle holidays inflammation memories mindfulness mindset movement nutrition perseverance personal growth PhotoOrganize Me photos recipes resources rest self-care sleep social media stewardship stories stress sugar wellness what i learned Youngevity
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • DISCLOSURES
  • CONTACT
© 2023 Amy Hoogervorst - All Rights Reserved

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Amy Hoogervorst
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.