Step 16: Add to Your Wellness Bookshelf

What’s on your bookshelf? Whether you’re a lover of paper or electronic books, here are some wellness must-haves worth reading and then keeping on your bookshelf.

Note: None of these that I’m listing is a new book. While I love to read, I’m slow. And I often don’t buy off the bookshelf that highlights current best-sellers or new releases. Each one should be available from your public library, or through a local bookstore. The links below (if you click the title) will take you to my local, independent bookstore. I hope you’ll shop at your local bookseller if you have one.

In the future, I intend to review the new books I’m reading now.

So how about you? What do you read in the area of health and wellness? I’d love to hear what’s on your bookshelf. Please share in the comments at the end of this post.

Books for Your Bookshelf

1. Essentialism – I listened to the audiobook version of this, narrated by author Greg McKeown, last year. And it’s changed the way I approach my life and work. I no longer say yes to everything just because it’s a worthwhile idea. McKeown encourages readers to ask themselves what is absolutely essential for them to do. And then to eliminate everything that is not.
2.  Let Your Life Speak – Parker J. Palmer’s words – whether in his books or his columns on OnBeing.org – feed my soul. This particular work speaks to finding one’s true calling. Since I’ve been in a discernment period the past couple of years, this book really grabbed my attention.
3. Younger Next Year – A high school friend who had gotten into shape nearly a decade ago mentioned reading this book, at a time in my life when I really needed to make some changes. Authors Chris Crowley & Henry Lodge M.D. shoot straight when it comes to the importance and how-to of taking care of ourselves as we age. No mincing words here. We’re either growing or decaying, they say. You choose.
4. The Mindful Diet – Using strategies from Duke Integrative Medicine, authors Ruth Wolever and Beth Reardon use mindfulness exercises, behavioral techniques, and other strategies to help us get off the diet roller-coaster. I’ve been meaning to write a more full review of this book. And I’ve considered offering a small-group coaching session on mindful eating; would either of those be of any interest?

Now it’s your turn. Details of my bookshelf could go on and on, and have a few others listed here. But I’d like to hear from you. Comment below.

I’m Amy Hoogervorst, an integrative health coach, offering grace and space for a healthier you. Thanks for joining me for Step 16 in the “31 Steps to a Healthier You” series, part of #Write31Days 2017. You can read what the series is all about here and catch up on past posts. If you don’t want to miss a thing, subscribe to get each one in your inbox.