5 Must Read Books to Reduce Anxiety

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We all deal with some form or another of anxiety. Some people just get anxious from time to time when life is stressful. Other people get occasional social anxiety when in certain situations. Some people have generalized anxiety disorder that can require therapy or management. While others suffer from one of the more extreme cases of anxiety- PTSD. There are many other kinds of anxiety ranging from mild to severe, all causing some form of debilitation in our lives. Along with journaling and being in nature, reading books has always helped me to decompress. Moreover, reading can take us out of our heads and into another world. So, here are 5 must read books to reduce anxiety.

Books to Help Decrease Your Anxiety

1.) The Gifts of Imperfection

Written by Brene Brown, this was one of the first books I read when I started out on my path to reclaim my life and become more grateful. I first read it a few years ago, and just re-read it again recently. It is a short, yet informative guide, which I like as a busy mother. This important book is about the lifelong journey from ‘What will people think?’ to ‘I am enough.’

2.) First We Make The Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety

Sarah Wilson, author, journalist and founder of IQuitSugar.com, interviews fellow sufferers, mental health experts, philosophers, and even the Dalai Lama in this unique book. She then processes all she learns through the prism of her own experiences with anxiety. Mark Manson, the bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, said this book is, “Probably the best book on living with anxiety that I’ve ever read”.

3.) The Anxiety and Worry Workbook

What is a booklist without a workbook? This workbook for anxiety and worry is grounded in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which is the proven treatment approach for anxiety developed and tested over more than 25 years. The workbook contains carefully crafted worksheets, exercises, and examples that reflect the authors’ decades of experience helping people just like you.

4.) Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind: How to Stop the Cycle of Anxiety, Fear, and Worry

Written by psychotherapist Jennifer Shannon, this book shows you how to stop anxious thoughts from taking over, using proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The book will teach you simple and powerful strategies to harness fear and worry.

5.) Own Your Self: The Surprising Path beyond Depression, Anxiety, and Fatigue to Reclaiming Your Authenticity, Vitality, and Freedom

Holistic psychiatrist Kelly Brogan, M.D. shows us that we don’t have to medicate our mental, emotional, and physical pain away- that the best way out is through. Her book explores the surprising path to living a med-free life through a deep appreciation of the meaning behind your symptoms.

Final Words

A common theme among these books and so many others, is that we should all embrace our own unique and authentic selves. Our mental health issues should not be something that we sweep under the rug for fear of others judging us. It’s ok to be sad, anxious, angry and uneasy, as these are part of being human. Why push these feelings down and ignore them? The longer we deny our “beasts” the longer we will suffer. Embrace who you are and let your fears and worries teach you what life is trying to tell you.

I hope that just one of these books will help you embrace and overcome your anxiety, so that you can live an authentic and peaceful life.

If you love reading and want more book recommendations, here is a summer reading BOOK LIST or check out this BOOK LIST of recommendations to help simplify your life. Both of these booklists are written by Maria. Books are what brought us together to form this blog partnership, as we got locked in an ongoing discussion about losing ego and becoming present from the book, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. His book on living in “the now” is my favorite book of all time. You never know, one book may just change the course of your life.

Join the Discussion

Have you have read any of these books on anxiety, fear and worry? Please share in the comments below your favorite books for reducing anxiety.

Author

Sara Halcumb is a Registered Nurse, wellness blogger, mother and wife.