No surprise here: ​​Health is a complex topic, and Mental Health is even more challenging. Because where does the mind become matter? When does health become sickness? When does prevention become a cure? 

We’d all like a checklist of items to do and not do — a clear path or routine we can follow. But like everything else in life, the reality is it’s complicated. 

However, some truths I do know are these; knowledge is power, the experience takes time, and the world would be better if we aimed to listen to and understand one another. 

If you’d like to combine all three into one lesson, my available shortcut and advice are to read. 

Read the stories of others, the failures in life, explore culture with the stranger writing the book, discover the characters that will change your mind, or even the science that breaks through your understanding. 

Health and wellness are complicated, but being a good person doesn’t have to be. 

These seven books will improve your health, happiness, and, hopefully, your perspective. 

Ego Is the Enemy

by Ryan Holiday

We need this right now. In an era that glorifies social media, reality TV, and other forms of shameless self-promotion, the battle against ego is continuously fought on many fronts. Armed with these lessons, you will be less invested in the story you tell and more about your specialness, and as a result, “you will be liberated to accomplish the world-changing work you’ve set out to achieve.”

Quit Like a Woman

by Holly Whitaker

You will never look at drinking the same way again. But hear me out; you don’t have to participate in Dry January or even be on the verge of thinking you have a problem to reap the benefits of this witty book. Instead, enjoy a relatable, honest, understanding voice with a sense of humor. Recalled as “a groundbreaking look at drinking culture and a road map to cutting out alcohol,” this might give you an inside look into anything we use as a security blanket. 

The Source of Self-Regard

by Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison is nothing short of a spiritual genius. If you haven’t read Beloved, exit the internet and start now. Her writing takes you through the depths of empathy. But here, she looks deeply into the fault lines of culture and freedom through the foreigner, female empowerment, the press, money, human rights, the artist in society, the Afro-American presence in American literature, and more. In her own words, this book is “a rich gathering of important essays and speeches, spanning four decades.” 

Trick Mirror

by Jia Tolentino

Purely an enlightenment. This book is an unforgettable trip through the river of self-delusion that surges beneath the surface of our lives. Question everything, including your reality. I promise it’s good for your soul. Trick Mirror is a dive into the incentives that shape us and about how hard it is to see ourselves clearly through a culture that revolves around “the self.”

Daring Greatly

By Brené Brown

You may have seen this one before, but it must be said: This is one of those books that every human should read. This book is a powerful work that will change your willingness and practice around letting yourself be fully seen. If everyone understood and lived by the concepts that author Brené Brown explores, we’d all be happier and better for it. Centered around vulnerability, it explores what it means to live a courageous life in a world where we too often make decisions out of fear.

Why We Sleep 

by Matthew Walker 

Sleep is a popular topic right now in the health and wellness industry. Written by a sleep scientist and best-selling author, this takes you into the science and overall health jargon most of us want when thoroughly understanding a topic. But, suppose you like to know the “why”; this book is for you. Unlock the power of sleep and dreams in this fascinating and accessible guide to sleep, why sleep matters, and how to optimize your sleep habits to live longer, feel happier, and set your life up for success. 

She Comes By It Natural 

by Sarah Smarsh

I had to include this — because the world would be a better place if we were all more like Dolly Parton. These are the roots, the tree, and the branches grown in the life of Nashville’s guardian angel. From deep, embedded Tennessee roots to packed stadiums and unrivaled cultural cuts to using her millions to inspire generations with imagination and kindness. There is a lot to learn here. She’s a true testament to the best of humanity.