Many of us are on personal journeys towards a greater sense of well-being and to develop our inner selves. There are many tools at our disposal to support this journey, from online courses and resources to in-person classes and teaching. Today, we are focusing on the humble book and the power it holds to impart knowledge, experience, and advice for our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Read on to discover the 20 best wellness books that can help you on your journey.

Books about wellness are everywhere in today’s market where consumers can’t get enough wellness content, so let this list cut out some of the searching for you. All of the below books are available easily on Amazon US.

Mental Wellness and Mindfulness Books

1. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

One of the most famous books in this area, The Power of Now became an international bestseller for a reason. It focuses on the importance of living in the present moment as a way to cultivate inner peace, using practical exercises that are simple for everyone to try. Give this classic book a go-to tick one of the best wellness books off the list.

2. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

One of the best mind-body connection books, The Body Keeps the Score examines in particular how trauma affects both the body and the mind. It gives powerful insights into healing and has the unique perspective of blending science and therapy. Altogether, it creates a holistic, well-rounded resource for mental wellness.

3. Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach

This beautiful book from Tara Brach has to make any list of mental wellness books worth reading. It teaches readers to find a deep sense of self-acceptance, leading to an inner peace born from compassion and love. Coming from a Buddhist perspective, it brings in mindfulness practices and strategies to help with self-development and creating resilience.

4. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

In The Untethered Soul, Michael Singer encourages readers to free themselves of limiting thoughts in order to realize their full potential. He posits that this is the way to true freedom, exploring our inner selves and embracing the present moment rather than dwelling on past pain and trauma. Uncover your relationship with your own energy and consciousness through this powerful read.

Physical Health and Nutrition

5. The Telomere Effect by Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn and Dr. Elissa Epel

Looking for a scientific approach? Look no further. Written by two accomplished academics, The Telomere Effect goes into the depths of cellular health and longevity, looking at how we can slow the aging process. It provides a powerful combination of pioneering research and lifestyle changes we can all make.

6. How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger

One of the best nutrition books out there, How Not to Die focuses on how what we eat and consume can impact our vulnerability to disease and ill-health. The insights in this book are all based on evidence and give the reader some actionable dietary changes that could vastly improve their mental and physical well-being.

7. Eat, Move, Sleep by Tom Rath

We all know that habits can make or break our self-development. Eat, Move, Sleep offers simple strategies to ensure our habits are healthy ones, increasing our everyday well-being one step at a time. Check this out to enjoy one of the best healthy living books.

Spirituality and Holistic Wellness

8. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra

Looking for holistic wellness books? Get a taste of profound Eastern philosophy through The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. This pocket-sized book packs a punch, with tangible spiritual principles that are easy to follow and use as a guide to greater personal fulfillment. It is also one of the best-selling wellness books on the market, and for good reason.

9. You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh

One of the best mind-body-spirit books out there, You Are Here focuses on finding peace within ourselves through the practical application of wisdom. This mindfulness book comes from celebrated Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, the perfect person to look to for ideas on inner tranquility.

10. The Journey Home by Radhanath Swami

The Journey Home is an impactful memoir from the perspective of Richard Slavin, who embarks on a mystical adventure from home in the suburban USA to the mystical caves and ashrams of the Indian Himalayas. An inspiring true story of seeking wisdom, and truth and knowing one’s self, Radhanath Swami will fill you with wonder and a sense of the great powers out there.

Self-Help and Personal Development Books

11. How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir by Saeed Jones

Written by Black and queer writer Saeed Jones, this powerful memoir speaks of true resilience and the complex nature of identity. As a poet, Jones’ writing is beautifully evocative in the way it tells his story of sex, family, coming-of-age and so much more. Reading his story invites us to reflect on our own journey of self-acceptance and facing struggles.

12. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

We often look to Brené Brown when it comes to the best self-help books. Daring Greatly is inspiring in its exploration of personal vulnerability and self-acceptance. It invites readers to surrender to their vulnerability, backed by a robust approach to developing self-confidence and courage. This is a treasure trove of self-development tips.

13. Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why the Answers Matter More Than We Think by Dr. Tasha Eurich

Insight is all about self-awareness in conversation with others perceptions of us. Tasha Eurich teaches readers how these concepts can greatly impact our level of personal and professional success. In the book, she uses research and case studies to offer tools for improving one’s self-perception and therefore their relationships with others.

14. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

A best-seller, Atomic Habits breaks down the ways in which we form habits in our daily lives, whether they be negative or positive. Using a scientific approach, it guides readers with pragmatic steps to creating productive habits, producing a blueprint for life-changing routine-building from a simple, accessible angle.

Career and Success Books

15. Deep Work by Cal Newport

This is one of the best business books for millennials, as it addresses so many of the concentration issues that plague that generation; from social media distractions to getting lost in a sea of emails in the inbox. Cal Newport’s approach encourages the reader to build deep work skills, enabling them to produce greater results in less time. The book includes very practical and actionable steps that make it a must for anyone looking to improve their productivity.

16. Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Start with Why explores why being purpose-driven is so important in cultivating respect as a leader and putting out good work. Rather than just going through the motions, Sinek encourages readers to uncover the ‘why’ of their day to day work lives. It also happens to be one of the best business books on Audible – perfect if you’re into audiobooks.

17. Show Your Work by Austin Kleon

Austin Kleon is a beacon for creatives looking to get their work out there. Show Your Work uncovers how to get noticed through ten actionable steps, creating a digestible manual for being creative in the digital age. It encourages readers to be brave in their approach, allowing them to go forward and get discovered.

Wellness Books for Young Adults

18. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

A great option within mental wellness books, The Happiness Project is a pragmatic exploration of happiness spanning one year, looking in particular at simple daily habits. Rubin looks at how small things can go a long way to creating joy in our daily lives, creating an inspiring framework for readers everywhere.

19. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Sometimes a controversial title and approach is enough to draw in young readers, but this book from Mark Manson is far from trivial. It takes a realistic approach to finding self-acceptance, highlighting how societal pressures often hold us back from achieving true wellness and self-development. Instead, Manson encourages us to focus on what truly matters within ourselves.

20. Quiet by Susan Cain

One of the best books on health and wellness, especially for young people who struggle with introversion, Quiet actually celebrates these qualities. Cain discusses how extroverts are often celebrated in today’s society, but that people who are perceived as ‘quiet’ have powerful gifts and strengths that with a little help can be harnessed for good.

Finding the Right Book for Your Path

So, you now have 20 books across a range of self-development themes to pick from. Reading is an accessible and powerful way to explore different experiences and tools to bolster your wellness journey. From mindfulness to nutrition, there’s something for everyone here, so take your time to figure out what resonates with you.

Want to delve deeper into self-development and wellness? Check out our recent blog on 10 Daily Habits for Cultivating a Healthy Mindset.

References:

Feeling Good: The Future of the $1.5 Trillion Wellness Market.” McKinsey & Company, 12 Aug. 2021, www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/feeling-good-the-future-of-the-1-5-trillion-wellness-market. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Derbyshire, David. “Can You Avoid Growing Old? The Woman Who Might Just Hold the Key.” The Guardian, 29 Jan. 2017, www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jan/29/telomere-effect-elizabeth-blackburn-nobel-prize-medicine-chromosomes. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Raypole, Crystal. “Why Are Habits Important? How They Form and How to Break Them.” Healthline, 10 May 2021, www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/why-are-habits-important. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Saeed Jones.” Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/saeed-jones. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Deep Work: How to Cultivate Focus in a Distracted World.” Timely, 18 Feb. 2021, www.timelyapp.com/blog/what-is-deep-work. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Why Are Extroverts Linked to Career Success? Because They Have Mentors.” Recruiter.com, www.recruiter.com/recruiting/why-are-extroverts-linked-to-career-success-because-they-have-mentors/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CPeople%20that%20are%20extroverted%20tend,in%20behaviors%20to%20do%20that.%E2%80%9D. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.