Books to Read to Improve Your Mental Health

If you’re looking for some summer reading that will inspire you, empower you, and provide some very valuable nuggets of mental health wisdom – look no further. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I’m always on the hunt for a good inspirational book that I can share with my clients and peers, and I thought I’d share some with you as well. I could have listed tons, but to not overwhelm you with too many options, here are some of my top picks! 

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself 

The author: Dr. Kristin Neff

Why it’s worth reading: We can be so hard on ourselves and forget that we’re humans after all, and we are bound to mistakes. This book by Dr. Kristin Neff, who is currently an Associate Professor in Human Development at the University of Texas at Austin, is a practical and transformative guide on how to free ourselves from self-criticism and judgment. When we are compassionate with ourselves and our imperfections, our mental health can be improved tremendously. 

Standout Quote: “Whenever I notice something about myself I don’t like, or whenever something goes wrong in my life, I silently repeat the following phrases: This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is part of life. May I be kind to myself in this moment. May I give myself the compassion I need.”

― Kristin Neff, Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

The author: Eckhart Tolle

Why it’s worth reading: Written by one of the most prominent leaders in spirituality and mindfulness, The Power of Now is a bestselling book that has become a mindfulness movement. What makes Tolle’s book so profound is the way he also shares his own deep struggles with mental health and how he was able to move through it and transform his way of being. He explains in the book that we are not our minds or our thoughts; we are simply the Being who is witnessing our thoughts. It can sound a bit out there, but for anyone struggling with mental health, it is a beautiful reminder that we are so much more than our thoughts and feelings. 

Standout quote: “Any action is often better than no action, especially if you have been stuck in an unhappy situation for a long time. If it is a mistake, at least you learn something, in which case it's no longer a mistake. If you remain stuck, you learn nothing.”

― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself

The Author: Nedra Glover Tawwab

Why it’s worth reading: In every relationship – whether it’s with your family, co-workers, community, or partner – having clear boundaries plays an enormous role in the health of those relationships. The quality of our relationships directly impacts the quality of our mental health, which is why learning how to set healthy boundaries is such an important skill to have. This book by Nedra Glover Tawwab, an esteemed licensed counselor, relationship expert, and Instagram-famous therapist is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their relationships. With research-backed tools and practices used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Tawwab guides us through the process of setting boundaries and being able to express our needs clearly and effectively. 

Standout quote: “Anxiety. It’s often triggered by setting unrealistic expectations, the inability to say no, people-pleasing, and the inability to be assertive.”

― Nedra Glover Tawwab, Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

The authors: Emily Nagoski PhD (Author), Amelia Nagoski DMA  

Why it’s worth reading: Written by sisters Emily Nagoski, PhD, and Amelia Nagoski, DMA, this book discusses an epidemic facing many women have been facing through the years – burnout. The unrealistic and immeasurable expectations placed on women in our society have led to this cycle of us feeling depleted, exhausted, and deeply overwhelmed. We’re expected to “have it all” – a thriving career, healthy relationships, a family of our own. We’re told that we’re running out of time and that we need to do everything now because it will be too late if we wait. Burnout gives practical tools to beat burnout and prioritize your mental health. 

Standout quote: “If you’re feeling not just frustrated and challenged, but helpless, isolated, and trapped, like you want to hide in a cave, or like you’d rather put your hand in a toilet full of tadpoles than spend one more day doing the thing, you should definitely quit whatever it is.”

― Emily Nagoski, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

I’d love to know – what are your favorite books that boost your mental health? Share them in the comments below! ⬇️