10 Books to Become a Healthier and Happier
We’re already in month TWO of the New Year! It feels like yesterday that I was just watching the count down! With this realization, it made me think of my New Year’s resolutions and how on track I am with them. I know that a part of my New Year’s goals is to be healthier and happier! How about yours?
So far, I’m doing well in these categories! I’m eating better, working out more, focusing on things that make me happy! Apart of what helps keep me on track with these goals are BOOKS! Whether you like to enjoy them on paperback, kindle or iPads; reading books on health and happiness can help you with strategies and provide insight on maintaining these areas in your life.
With that said, here’s a roundup of 10 books that will help make you healthier and happier!
1. Stumbling on Happiness
I can’t write a roundup about books on Happiness without listing this book first! I initially was introduced to this book back in 2013 and this has always been at the top of my list! In fact, I’m currently rereading this book now.
This book challenges our beliefs on happiness and how imagination and our expectations can steer us. Things that you think make you happy, would they really? Getting that promotion at work with more income can make you happy but what if that promotion came with twice as much work and far more hours that prevent you from spending valuable time with your family?
Dan Gilbert takes his readers on a path of contemplating the shortcomings of imagination while half-way through the book you question whether the things you desire are the things that really would add to your happiness. This book is written in a playful tone that makes it an easy and delightful read.
Find more information on Stumbling On Happiness here!
2. How Not to Die
I first saw this book on my doctor’s bookshelf and the title struck me as interesting. Shoot, I love my life and want to know all the ways of How Not to Die! Tell me more! Dr. Michael Gregor outlines the top causes of death in America and explains how diet and lifestyle interventions are preventative and can trump medications.
The 15 top causes of death claim 1.6 MILLION lives a year! That’s enough to want to make lifestyle changes and take action. Dr. Greger uses and discusses a whole good, plant-based diet as being his weapon of choice. He teaches about what foods to incorporate and which lifestyle changes can lead to an heathier and happier life.
Find more information on How Not to Die here!
3. You’re a Badass
If the title alone doesn’t captivate you like it did for me, maybe the fact that this book is hilariously written with inspiring stories and super easy exercises to help you change your self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors.
This book was one that I felt inspired after reading. This book helps you evaluate your fears, inspires you to take risk, and design your life into one that you truly do love! By the end of this book, you’re have a new acceptance of the unchangeable and see the new value of YOU! It will make you look at life differently. Definitely a great read for this year’s reading list!
Find more information on You’re a Badass here!
4. Feeding You Lies
An interesting tale of the lies and deception of the food we eat. Just as the tobacco industry lied regarding the dangers of cigarettes, Vani Hari aims to expose the lies told about the food industry.
This book helps you discover:
- How the labels “All Natural and Non-GMO aren’t always what they seem
- How companies adds addictive elements to their products
- How nutrition research is manipulated and funded by big food companies!
The information in this book is raw, unfiltered and SHOCKING to say the least. You’ll leave with new knowledge and a plan on how to rid your kitchen and body of harmful chemicals that have been introduced to it. You’ll have a blueprint on how to live a healthier life without harmful food dyes, additives and preservatives.
Find more information on Feeding You Lies here!
5. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
If the title isn’t foretelling enough, then let me be the first to say, this book gives it to you straight no chaser! There’s no coddling, “let me make sure I turn my lemons into lemonades” feel good story. It’s a story about being content in the NOW. It takes a different twist on positive outlooks and talks about taking things for what they are and embracing them as is.
You walk away from this book feeling that it was a story that needed to be told and a lesson needed to be heard. The author takes gives us a “refreshing” choke hold by using jokes, anecdotes and realness to help you face feel, accept painful truths and live in a life of forgiveness and happiness. Definitely should be added to the New Year’s reading list!
Find more information on The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck here!
6. Eat to Live
This is the dieters book! It takes a different approach on diet and weight-loss. Eat to Live is a great read for those looking to lose weight in a quick time frame. Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s equation to weight-loss is nutrients/calories. He boasts that the more nutrients one eats, the fewer calories they will consume. Knowledge over willpower is the only claim that is needed for weight-loss.
What I enjoy most about this book is that it examines the American diet and debunks standard beliefs about healthy foods. Overall, this book is life changing and will change the way you look at food.
Find more information on Eat to Live here!
7. The Book of Joy
The Book of Joy is a conversation between Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Both are Nobel Peace Prize winners and both are two of the biggest spiritual and moral leaders of our time. The discussion shared in this book is about how we find joy in the midst of grief and suffering. It shows how joy can be turned from a feeling to a way of life.
This book is well written and full of insights and truth. At times there is even humor. It doesn’t require a reader to be of the Buddhist or Christian faith. The guidance from this book can be apply towards anyone life. The Book of Joy has the potential to be life changing!
Find more information on The Book of Joy here!
8. Make Your Bed
Have you ever heard the notion that if you make your bed in the morning, your day starts on a good track? Admiral William McRaven gives you good reasons. He provides anecdotes from his navy seal training that rests on this first rule of the day. He gives 10 key points that he learned from his Navy Seal training that are practical enough to help improve your life.
Make Your Bed helps readers find happiness and self worth. It’s written in a conversational style and is a fast and fun read.
Find more information on Make Your Bed here!
9. The Whole30
My friend recently started the Whole30 diet. After hearing about it many times before, seeing someone I knew made me look into it further. I haven’t tried this diet yet but after reading more on it, people that try it seem to not only experience weight loss, they see differences in sleep, mood, self-esteem and energy. I’d say that alone made it worth a read.
Although I’m nowhere near finished with this book, I still wanted to add it to this list. Because of the popularity of this diet and the holistic and thoroughly provided plan and approach of how to be successful in your 30 days, I see this The Whole30 as being realistic and a great way to change your food habits.
Find more information on The Whole30 here!
10. If Our Bodies Could Talk
If I had to list the most hilarious book listed here, it would be this one. This doctor turned journalists answers questions about health, the body and mind with a laugh-out-loud approach. James Hamlin (do I still call him doctor?) draws on his medical training to provide answers to technical, encyclopedia-like (what many find boring) information, in the most engaging and understandable manner.
Find more information on If Our Bodies Could Talk here!
