The Best Self-Help And Self-Care Books To Read Right Now

If there’s one thing the past three years have taught us, it’s that taking care of our mental and physical health should be paramount, and, consequently, relationships with the people we love should be prioritised and strengthened.  

2022 was coined the year of the ‘Great Reflection.’ It only confirms that most of us are figuring out how to be the best versions of ourselves.  

Whether you want to feel more empowered, inspired, create new and healthy habits, eat better, become more productive, happier, or less stressed and anxious, there are always self-care books that can help you.  

Here are the best self-care books to buy in 2022 to help you reevaluate, reimagine, and refocus your life to be happier and healthier. 

What are self-care books?   

Self-care, self-help, or self-improvement books are meant to help, comfort or/and instruct readers on solving personal problems, empower or inspire readers and help them navigate life.   

Topics can range from advice on how to overcome specific issues like stress, anxiety, and depression to topics like finding happiness, cultivating self-love, spiritual discovery, and growth, discovering your purpose, overcoming trauma, setting goals, pursuing your passion, or developing your career, and improving relationships.   

Top self-care books that will inspire you to live life to the fullest 

Atomic Habits by James Clear  

This #1 New York Times bestseller sold over 4 million copies worldwide and is authored by the world-renowned habits expert James Clear. He talks about how changing your habits can get you 1% better every day, whether you want to see transformative change in your career, relationships, or life. In the book, Clear presents four simple steps to build better habits and break bad ones, edit existing beliefs, and upgrade and expand your identity.  

Atomic Habits, £13.15 

2. Manifest: 7 Steps To Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi    

If you’re looking for a modern take on Rhonda Bryne’s The Secret, this 2022 book by ‘Queen of Manifesting’ and self-development coach Roxie Nafousi is your perfect pick. 

Whether you want to attract the man of your dreams, get the perfect job, buy your dream home, or find inner peace, Manifest will teach you exactly how to get there in seven steps.  

Nafousi explains the true art of manifestation and guides you in creating the life you have always dreamed of.  

This essential guide is dedicated to anyone who wants to feel more empowered and see a change in their lives. It is backed by science and a lot of wisdom, helping you begin your journey of turning your dreams into reality. 

Manifest, £9.99 

3. Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven

This #1 New York Times best-selling book authored by retired US Navy SEAL, William H. McRaven explains the importance of how making your bed can have such a positive impact on your overall lifestyle. 

McRaven suggests beginning each day with a task as simple as making your bed. In a nutshell, McRaven says that life can be difficult. Still, meeting challenges with discipline, determination, a positive attitude, and the support of others will most often lead an individual to a meaningful life that will inspire others.    

This timeless book provides simple and universal wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that inspire readers even in life’s darkest moments.  

Make Your Bed, £7.99   

4. How To Be Your Own Therapist by Owen O’Kane  

If you are looking for ways to boost your mood, reduce your anxiety and unlock better mental health. In How ToBe Your Own Therapist by psychotherapist, former NHS Clinical Lead and Sunday Times best-selling author Owen O’Kane can help you achieve that in as little as 10 minutes a day.                                        

Following O’Kane’s relatable situations and practical steps and strategies can help you form healthier perspectives and let you ditch harmful thought patterns. 

The book uses the latest evidence-based tools and techniques from various therapies, including CBT, mindfulness, and interpersonal therapy. Owen provides empowering solutions to identifying and managing what keeps you stuck in life so you can move forward, get the best from your life and cope better in tough times. 

How to Be Your Own Therapist, £12.59 

5. The Fiber Fuelled by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz  

  

A great read for people wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle is Fiber Fueled Cookbook authored by American board-certified gastroenterologist and New York Times Best-selling Author Dr Will Bulsiewicz.  

The 369-page cookbook includes 11 chapters of gut-healing knowledge and guidance. All the recipes are strategically designed to foster better gut health. It includes scrumptious recipes like Sourdough Cheese-its, Cheesy Broccoli and Potato Soup, Edamame Pesto Pasta, Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies and more.  

“Over time, you will find your taste buds come along for the ride and evolve, and you will love the food you are eating but you will also be empowered to better health by eating this way,” Dr Bulsiewicz tells Beauty Daily.  

Learn Why You Need To Eat More Fibre. Here are Simple Hacks To Up Your Fibre Intake At Home By Dr Bulsiewicz. You’re welcome.  

The Fibre Fuelled Cookbook, £16.99 

Self-care books for women 

Here are the best self-care books for women. Treat it as if you were receiving advice from a trusted friend or an inspiring mentor as you navigate through milestones or days of uncertainty.  

1. For expecting and new mums 

 

Pregnancy and childbirth are an exciting journey for all expecting and new mums, but it can also be a time when life can be overwhelming, and big questions start to arise.    

Why Did No One Tell Me This? By Natalia Hailes And Ash Shivak is written by doulas and reproductive health experts Natalia Hailes and Ash Spivak to answer all your burning maternity questions. It is filled with bite-sized pieces of advice interspersed with vibrant illustrations by artist Louise Reimer to break down the doubts and fears that often surround childbirth, empowering readers to explore their own individual needs, get to know their rights, and find their voice both during and after pregnancy.  

The book addresses common fears, incorporates regular tips for partners, and provides information on various birth and parents’ styles. This unique and inclusive guide is the perfect tool for a new generation of parents.  

Why Did No One Tell Me This?: The Doulas’ (Honest) Guide for Expectant Parents, £12.05  

2. For people going through perimenopause  

  

A terrific book we highly recommend is The Perimenopause Solution by Dr Shahzadi Harper and Emma Bardwell. The perimenopause period, the time leading up to the menopause, is often misunderstood, and this transitional period can be a time of emotional turmoil, shifting priorities and physical changes: from hot flushes, insomnia, low mood, and anxiety to itchy skin, thinning hair, weight gain and loss of libido.  

Millions of women in their 30s and 40s go through this without realising they are perimenopausal. In this book penned by Dr Shahzadi Harper, a medical doctor specialising in women’s health and Emma Bardwell, a registered nutritionist, they provide a blueprint to help women find a new balance in this important phase of their lives so that they can be prepared.  

This book provides practical, no-nonsense information on the physical and mental changes, with powerful advice on managing symptoms and nutrition. 

The Perimenopause Solution, £12.09 

Read Beauty Daily’s exclusive interview with Emma Bardwell as she talks about The First Signs Of Perimenopause with two other great experts.  

3. For women who want to know how to better care for their skin

 

Doctor, I want to be the fairest of them all! The book by Dr Olivier Courtin-Clarins is the perfect beauty bible for people wanting to know and care for their skin. It has over 60 tips for beauty aficionados who have burning beauty questions and who (often) don’t know which products to use. Dr Courtin-Clarins provides solutions to all your skincare woes.  

The good thing about this book is that all proceeds from the sale will be donated to the ARTHRITIS Foundation, the leading private French fundraising initiative that supports severe rheumatism research.  

Doctor; I Want To Be the Fairest of Them All! Book, £10  

4. For women who are online and want more from activism and life 

Poor Little Sick Girls: A love letter to unacceptable women by Ione Gamble, Founder of Polyester zine, is a must-read for women looking for a voice, self-acceptance and self-love despite challenges and hardships.  

Having lived with an incurable illness and using her experience with disability to cast a fresh gaze on the cultural moment young women find themselves, Poor Little Sick Girls explores the pressure faced. As well as existing as a chronically ill and overweight woman in our current era of empowerment. 

Poor Little Sick Girls: A love letter to unacceptable women, £16.99 

Self-care books for men 

Here are the best self-care books for men that are worthy of your read wish list.  

1. Man Down: A Guide for Men on Mental Health

Research finds that 38% of men do not talk to others about their feelings, and almost three in ten have never shown emotion nor cried in front of others to maintain the image of manliness, which can take a toll on your mental health.  

Good thing books like Man Down: A Guide for Men on Mental Health can help.    

This book, authored by wellbeing consultant and life coach Charlie Hoare, provides tips on reaching out and advises navigating mental health issues. This volume is full of guidance on how to look out for your wellbeing. Topics covered include anxiety and depression, stress, suicidal thoughts, dealing with traditional gender expectations, self-care, and mindfulness methods, how to open up and communicate, and where and when to seek help.  

This book will improve your awareness of mental health, offer tools and techniques to manage it better, and help you live a happier, healthier life. 

Man Down: A Guide for Men on Mental Health, £8.09 

2. For men dealing with midlife crisis 

For people who are in their mid-40s and may struggle with a midlife crisis, the book ‘Midlife: A Philosophical Guide by Kieran Setiya’ provides philosophical wisdom and practical advice for overcoming the problems of middle age.  

Kieran Setiya confronts the inevitable challenges of adulthood and middle age, showing how philosophy can help you thrive. You will learn why missing out might be a good thing, how options are overrated, and when you should be glad, you make a mistake.  

Midlife: A Philosophical Guide, £13.85 

How can I practice self-care daily?    

Self-care looks different for everyone. What self-care means to your best friend may not resonate with you, so take the time to reexamine and reevaluate your life. Then, look at your self-care strategy as the bigger picture of where you’d want to see yourself moving forward.  

It can be spending time with family and friends, prioritising me-time, curling up with an enjoyable book with a hot cuppa, spending more time outdoors, or eating healthier. You can then narrow this down by looking at the details of your activities to make this work or doable.  

Expert Tip: “Things you enjoy doing will be different for everyone, so figure out what those are and do more. Make relaxation, free time, fun and rejuvenation a priority. Then, plan it into your days and weekends to make sure it happens,” Mental Health and Burnout Prevention Strategist Corina Zanner-Entwistle, advises.  

Read next: Want to know How 10 Powerful Women Are Practising Self-Care? Read this.