How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease (Michael Greger, MD)
I picked up this book because, at the time, I was a relatively new vegetarian and I frankly didn't eat enough vegetables. This book will astound you with how much plants can improve your health and help you prevent many of the leading causes of disease-related death, including heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure, and more.
Backed by a plethora of peer-reviewed studies, Dr. Greger takes you through how eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and spices, can sometimes prove more effective and come with fewer side effects than some pharmaceutical and surgical procedures to help prevent and reverse certain chronic diseases. (Side note: I recommend listening to the audiobook because it is quite a large book!).
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams (Matthew Walker, PhD)
This book will put you to sleep (in a good way). This is a fascinating book that helps you understand the purpose of sleep and how it helps your body learn and store memories, process emotions, bolster your immune system, and regulate your metabolism and appetite. The book goes through the latest research around how your sleep is impacted by things like your age, your consumption of caffeine and alcohol, and your sleep schedule (or lack thereof). You will come away with a newfound appreciation for how critical it is to get a good night of sleep and hopefully fall asleep while you read it before bed.
Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success (Marc Brackett, PhD)
Every day we experience a range of emotions, from the elation of joy to the depths of despair. Emotions are a vital part of who we are, yet we're often taught to bottle them up or push them aside. In Permission to Feel, acclaimed teacher and researcher Marc Brackett shows us the importance of emotions and why they matter for our mental and physical health, our decision making, our creativity, and our relationships.
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art (James Nestor)
We all gotta breathe. Might as well learn how to do it right.
Nestor explores the impact that certain breathing techniques can have on our health and well-being, backed by scientific research and historical practices from around the world. I was impressed/disturbed when the author shared his experience doing an experiment on himself breathing only through his mouth for weeks on end. I've never been more grateful to be able to breathe through my nose.
52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time (Annabel Streets)
Explore the many benefits of walking, both for our physical and mental health. Annabel Streets explores the latest scientific research on the topic and even provides practical tips on how to incorporate more walking into our daily routine. With a friendly and informative tone, 52 Ways to Walk encourages readers to take advantage of the simple act of walking and discover the timeless joy it brings. I highly encourage you listen to this as an audiobook while you're walking!
The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma (Bessel Van Der Kolk)
This book is definitely more like a textbook for practitioners than a pop psychology book. It offers a groundbreaking perspective on trauma, exploring how it affects the brain, mind, and body, and how different therapies can aid in healing. Written by renowned trauma expert Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD, this book provides an invaluable resource for mental health practitioners, as well as for anyone interested in the intersection of psychology and neuroscience.
However, readers should be aware that some of the stories in the book are quite graphic and could be triggering for people with PTSD.
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen (Christopher McDougall)
I love reading books on ultrarunning. They always make me want to run more! This one takes you on a journey deep into Mexico's Copper Canyons where the Tarahumara Indians live, a tribe known for their ability to run incredibly long distances with seemingly little effort. The book combines captivating stories of these unique characters with intriguing scientific insights, pushing readers to reconsider everything they thought they knew about running.
Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome (Will Bulsiewicz, MD, MSCI)
This book is a crash course on gut health. Dr. Bulsiewicz draws from 600+ references and studies to share the latest on the relatively new study of the gut biome. You'll learn why gut health is vital for boosting metabolism, balancing hormones, and reducing inflammation, with the key lying in dietary fiber from colorful plants. The main takeaway for me is that you should try to eat from a wide variety of plant sources (30+ per week), to feed the extensive diversity of bacteria that make up your gut biome.
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience (Brené Brown)
This is an excellent book to gain more vocabulary and understanding about our uniquely human emotional responses. It dives into the nuances of emotions like happiness vs. contentment vs. joy. I've gained a lot from the practice of deliberating noting how I'm feeling and have found books like this one to be helpful in gaining more clarity around different types of emotions.
9 Books to Keep You Healthy
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