Last year was an unusual one in many ways, and return to the new normal seems far ahead. If there ever was a time to be kind to yourself, it is now: to lower your expectations, to take more personal time, and to do things that make you happy. These five books provide ideas and support for a kinder and gentler life.
Balance Your Life and Work : How to Get the Best from Your Job and Still Have a Life. 2005. Bloomsbury.
Do you feel overwhelmed by daily life? Do you feel there is too much pressure from study or work? Do your ignore your personal life, do your relationships suffer? Balance your life and work helps you change all this with step-by-step guidance, top tips and other concrete advice.
Neff, K. & Germer, C. 2018. The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook : A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive. Guilford.
Are you critical of yourself? Could you use more self-compassion? If so, this workbook is for you. Research shows that self-compassion is one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal to create health and happiness. Self-compassion helps us to achieve our goals, cope with adversity, take responsibility for our actions, and care for others in a sustainable way.
Hill, A. 2019. Boss of Busy: Combat Burn Out and Get Clear on What Matters. John Wiley & Sons.
Alison Hill’s message is simple: get clear on your values and you have all you need to change your life for the better. Once you have identified what matters, it is easier to set boundaries and focus on the things that support it.
Manage Your Time : How to Work More Effectively. Bloomsbury. 2006.
Do you feel swamped by endless to-do lists and e-mails? It is time to take back control of your information overload. This book helps you identify the things you can ignore or throw away, the things you can delegate, and the things you need to focus on.
Gordon, J. & West, D. 2019. The Coffee Bean : A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change. John Wiley & Son.
If you are looking for inspiration, this is the book for you. The Coffee Bean tells the story of Abe, who faces challenges and pressure at school and home. Finally he has to make a choice: will he be like the carrot that weakens in the pot or like the egg that hardens? Or, will he choose to be like the coffee bean and discover the power inside him to transform his environment.
For more reading tips, see our more comprehensive list.
