In times of anxiety, finding solace in the pages of a good book can offer a sense of comfort and escape. Whether you’re seeking practical advice, or simply a distraction from your worries, the right book can make a world of difference. In this blog post, I’ll share a curated list of the best books to read when dealing with anxiety, each offering unique perspectives and insights to help navigate through stressful times. For more tips on how to cope with anxiety, be sure to check out How to Reduce Anxiety, where I share my personal experience with anxiety and the things that I have learned to help me to reduce it.
Best Short-Reads
Redefining Anxiety by John Delony-About what anxiety is and how to deal with it.
Negative Self-Talk and How to Change It by Shad Helmstetter-How to change that negative self-talk that brings us down.
Best Workbooks
The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook by Matthew McKay PhD, Jeffrey C. Wood PsyD, Jeffrey Brantley MD-A book designed to help you learn and develop skills for coping with anxiety and other mental health struggles.
Feeling Better: CBT Workbook for Teens by PhD Rachel Hutt-Focused towards teens to help them develop simple strategies for anxiety and low self-esteem that they can carry with them into adulthood.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne PhD-Teaches effective skills to treat anxiety among other things.
Panic Attacks Workbook: Second Edition: A Guided Program for Beating the Panic Trick by David Carbonell-A book about mastering anxiety and panic attacks.
Mindfulness Workbook for Panic Attacks by Lauren Maher LMFT-Teaches effective techniques to find relief from anxiety and panic.
The Negative Thoughts Workbook by David A. Clark PhD and Robert L. Leahy PhD-Helps you learn how to change your negative thought processes.
Humorous
Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind by Jennifer Shannon-A book that teaches effective techniques that will help you find peace.
Longer Reads
Be Calm: Proven Techniques to Stop Anxiety Now Jill Weber PhD-Teaches you to handle your anxiety and to be better prepared for situations that cause anxiety.
A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters by Steven Hayes-Uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to teach skills that help with a lot of different mental health issues.
NEVER GOOD ENOUGH: How to use Perfectionism to Your Advantage Without Letting it Ruin Your Life by Monica Ramirez Basco-Helps you to learn to make the best out of your perfectionism instead of letting it cause ruin your life.
The Worry Trick by David Carbonell-Shows how to stop the worry-cycle.
The Stress-Proof Brain by Melanie Greenberg-Teaches how stress effects our body and mind.
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron Phd-Helps teach highly sensitive people how to thrive.
In conclusion, the power of literature in providing comfort and guidance during anxious times cannot be overstated. These carefully selected books serve as beacons of hope, offering guidance, empathy, and a momentary reprieve from the chaos of anxiety. Remember, you are not alone in your struggles, and the words within these pages are there to offer support and understanding. As you embark on your reading journey, may these books act as companions, providing comfort and inspiration as you navigate through the challenges of anxiety. For further strategies on managing anxiety, be sure to explore How to Reduce Anxiety, where I share my personal experience with anxiety and give practical tips to guide you towards a path of calm and resilience.
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