The Best You’s guide to the new reads you need in your life.
BRAVE NEW GIRL – How To Be Fearless
By Lou Hamilton
Rates of anxiety in under-30s has risen by 70% in the last 25 years and now 1 in 6 people are said to suffer some level of symptoms. Lou Hamilton has dedicated her professional life to helping people combat their anxiety, and this book combines her creative methods and coaching tips with gorgeous illustrations to inspire people to fear less.
Lou was to create the book after youngest child Ruby left home. She wanted to create something that Ruby could take out into the world with her, and that would also help Lou adjust to the huge change in her own life that it would cause.
Even if you have never experienced anxiety, this is a timely and poignant look at how we can all look after ourselves better in order to live rich, free and full lives.
BEST FOR: Helping you adjust to change
Uncoupling
By Sara Davison
Ever since Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin coined the term ‘conscious uncoupling’ in 2014 to denote the amicable end of their marriage, the term ‘uncoupling’ has kept tongues wagging. Is it really possible to navigate the pitfalls, anger and upset that come with a break up in a positive way? Reading Sara’s fresh, sympathetic and constructive approach makes you feel like it would be.
Uncoupling combines Sara’s extensive training in life-coaching techniques, her work with people ‘uncoupling’, and her own personal experience, and it focuses on helping you take emotional control of the situation in order to move forwards.
This is the book that Sara looked for – and couldn’t find – when she was going through the process herself and found very few places available to turn to for compassionate and practical advice. This means the book not only offers tried-and-tested advice but it also comes with the reassurance that you will get through this time and come out the other side.
BEST FOR: Giving strength and perspective during a break up
Mindfulness @ Work
By Anna Black
Work-related stress is an all-too-common part of modern life.The rise of digital media means that many people never really “switch off” from work and the culture of presenteeism causes us to spend more time at work than ever before. Many workers spend a lot of time either ruminating on past work stress or worrying about future work-related problems. By applying the principles of mindfulness – an ancient Buddhist practice – to our working lives, we can become aware of our habitual negative thoughts and behaviours and learn to recognise and manage the warning signs of stress. Anna Black suggests short and simple meditations that can be used throughout the working day to strengthen focus and concentration, enhance working relationships and improve empathy – all of which help you to perform well and keep calm at work, whatever your job. Anna’s suggestions are applicable to both office-based workers and those who work from home and she covers a range of topics including working mindfully with others, paying mindful attention in meetings and using meditation to cope with stressful situations.
BEST FOR: work related stress.
Radical Beauty
By Deepak Chopra and Kimberly Snyder
You are what you eat – or so goes the famous adage – which means that eating a balanced, nutritious and not forgetting enjoyable diet has the power to delight, heal and even transform both mind and body. But with so much advice on everything from superfoods to diet fads, it can be hard to know what to listen to. This book, from the world-renowned physician and author Deepak Chopra and leading nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, offers a practical guide to help. It focuses on six pillars of healthy living; internal and external nourishment, beauty sleep, primal beauty, movement and spiritual beauty.
Radical Beauty will teach you which oils to use to help soothe the nervous system or reduce stress, which resulting in less wrinkles, or inform you about subtle dietary shifts which can optimise digestion. There’s also advice on reducing toxic chemicals, radiation and pollution in your personal space, breathing techniques and yoga positions. Ready, set, glow.
BEST FOR: Looking and feeling great
And Breathe
By Rebecca Dennis
Breathing coach Rebecca’s book is a guide to the art of conscious breathing, using techniques to help boost energy, combat stress and improve heart health. Rebecca suffered with depression for nearly 20 years before discovering Transformational Breath, which she later went on to study with founder Judith Kravitz in Mexico. In And Breathe she lets us in on what she’s learnt, offering techniques to consciously connect to your breath and encourage its natural rhythms in order to harmonise the body and mind, live life fully, find emotional freedom and feel empowered.
Rebecca’s coaching has helped people experiencing issues including stress, anxiety, addiction, abuse, and low self-esteem. She teaches ways to let go of the unwanted patterns of emotions and tension, and includes simple to follow exercises, tips, case studies, interviews and testimonials. Reading the book gifts you an awareness of your breath that you will likely never have experienced before, and will leave you feeling calm yet energised. Now the challenge is to try to keep Rebecca’s teachings with you next time you feel you’re stressed…
BEST FOR: Helping you feel calm yet focused