What's On Our Bookshelf? Must-Reads That Help You To Cope With Anxiety
Just a few to add to your list.
by Rachel Linder
Being faced with mental illness makes it easy to feel isolated and alone. We can’t count the number of times we’ve felt like the only person in the world struggling. The reason it’s easy to feel this way when it comes to anxiety is because oftentimes the people you know will keep their own challenges to themselves. Though this is not uncommon, it can be easy to look at your world and see only perfection—even though those you know are likely a far cry from perfect. One of the best ways we’ve found to find others like us is through books.
When it comes to anxiety, both memoirs and self-help books remind us that we’re not the only ones, and it’s important to find comfort in that. Everything from personal stories to advice on moving forward can be helpful and relatable. We’ve curated some of the top books on anxiety, some we’ve read and others that are at the top of our list. The goal in reading these is simple: to show you that you aren’t alone.
On Edge: A Journey Through Anxiety
If you’re looking for someone who understands what you’re going through and you’re suffering from anxiety, Andrea Petersen is the author for you. Petersen details her own personal challenges with anxiety both before and after her diagnosis at the age of 20. Not only does she tell her own story, one that is highly relatable, but she also provides insight on the science behind anxiety—the biology of it all, the research, medication, genetics. It’s definitely a must-read for anyone who feels all-consumed by their anxious thoughts—constantly on edge.
This book is at the top of our list for mindfulness reads. Declutter Your Mind focuses mostly on negative thinking, and how to implement mindful techniques that will allow you feel happier and more at peace. The authors delve into the specifics of science-backed strategies that work to change your mindset. This book will allow you to come away from every chapter with ideas of how to alter your cluttered state of mind.
There are very few books that tell a story like this one. Author Scott Stossel shares a complete history of anxiety, while at the same time highlighting his own struggles with the illness. He taps into not only the medical perspective of anxiety, but also explains what it means culturally, philosophically and experientially. Besides it’s powerful words, this book is written from a man who openly shares his own challenges with anxiety—a perspective that is often lost. This book brings to light the fact that anxiety is not a ‘womens’ disease’, as it’s so often portrayed.
The Comparison Cure: How To Be Less ‘Them’ and More ‘You’
This book that’s part workbook and part self-help novel truly gets you to delve deeply into your thoughts and assess yourself in a new way. If you choose to read this book, as we did, you have to recognize that you’re comparing yourself to others to some extent, but this book breaks down exactly what you’re comparing—and how to work to change that. Author Lucy Sheridan is the first and only comparison coach, and she helps you work to boost your self-worth and self-confidence. It’s definitely a tough read—we had to take breaks after each chapter—as it really pushes you to be honest with yourself, but it’s worth it.
The Highly Sensitive Person: How To Thrive When The World That Overwhelms You
The title of this book truly spoke to us—and it’s a big reason why it made this list. They always say not to judge a book by it’s cover, but the inside of it proves just as relatable and life-changing. Dr. Elaine Aron, the author, is a highly sensitive person herself, and she created this book to help others like her understand their own sensitivities as well as what they mean for the world around them. She provides techniques and tips that will change the way you see the world, and the everyday situations that cause you stress.
Inspired by the author’s podcast, “How To Fail”, this book shows the reader that just because you see things as failures, doesn’t mean they are. Instead, Elizabeth Day, the author, shows how failures can allow for life lessons to shine through, ones that you may not have otherwise understood. She taps into almost all topics of life, so no matter what stage in life you’re in, you can easily find something to relate to. It’s learning how to respond to those moments of failure that allow you to truly grow as a person.
Chloe Brotheridge creates these guide-book type masterpieces that will leave you feelings stronger and happier. As a therapist, Brotheridge uses research as well as her own experiences with anxiety to provide readers with tools to cope with anxiety in a new way. This book is for someone looking for change—the do-ers of the world. This book will provide you with the toolkit for success, and it’s up to you to implement those changes. Brotheridge also has another book, Brave New Girl, that focuses on confidence, so if you find this one beneficial, it’s essential you add that one to your list as well.