Aaaaahhh, the dreaded year-end fatigue is finally here! And don’t worry, you’re not alone. Among other self-care practices, we recommend burying your head in a book that will increase your motivation and boost your energy levels.
You’re probably thinking, “Why would I want to read if all I want to do this time of year is pass out?” Well, research has proven (more times than we can remember) that reading helps slow down the brain, and therefore us helps to relax us physically and mentally. Reading, especially at night, can help you quickly get into la-la land. FYI: 71 percent of adults who read weekly and took part in a 2019 survey commissioned by Kindle said they felt happier and lighter than those who read rarely or not at all.
Whether you’re emotionally or physically exhausted — or simply looking for a detailed guide on how to keep your fatigue at bay year after year or escape your current reality with back-to-back deadlines — the list below has you covered.
READ MORE: Could intermittent resting be the key to your fatigue?
1. Your Life Matters: Why and How to Honor Your Existence through Writing by Norma Young
Writing is a surefire way to get rid of the annoying feelings that weigh heavily on us. The lessons embedded on every page of Your Life Matters will have you feeling like a Pulitzer-winning author in no time.
Curated for journal enthusiasts and aspiring writers, the book makes a compelling argument that writing is a necessary exercise for overall well-being. Young touts writing as a tool for staying sharp or recording and reviewing emotions. It also provides guidelines to guide the writing process.
2. I’m So Damn Tired: A Proven Plan to Beat Burnout, Boost Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Life by Dr. Amy Shah
The secret to suppressing butt burnout, according to Dr. Shah in harnessing the very complex energy trifecta – “the interrelationship between your gut, immune system and hormones.”
Combining the latest science with her medical experience, she advocates for (a) changing your eating habits, (b) changing your eating habits, and (c) finding out the reason for your stress. Be prepared to feel like a whole new person, promises Dr. Shah.
READ MORE: Do this cardio workout at home to burn calories and improve your mood
3. Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom
A compilation of stories about faith, religion, and the power of faith, following two real-life characters – an elderly rabbi from Albom’s childhood and a pastor from a Detroit neighborhood. Through conversations and interviews with both men, Albom discovers how their religious beliefs are different and remain similar in many ways.
He also learns how her faith influences her life and how it affects the people around her. The book explores what it means to have faith in a world that often seems to lack it. Ultimately, Albom concludes that faith is not an abstract concept, but a powerful force that can bring light to the darkest days.
4. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Set in a coffee shop in Tokyo, Japan, this is a magical cafe that explores the interconnectedness of lives (COVID-19 has already taught us this!) and the choices we make. The novel explores themes of regret, love, and the importance of making the most of every moment through the experiences of four characters.
Each character’s journey is intertwined with that of the others as they learn to let go of their regrets and begin lives filled with hope and gratitude. The plot ultimately shows that although life can be fleeting, the little moments that make up our lives still bring joy.
READ MORE: 11 Ways to Beat End-of-Year Fatigue
5. The Art of Calm: How to Find Calm in the Modern World by Claudia Hammond
The world is full to the brim with stress and sensory overload – we know that much! And often when shit hits the fan, rest is the last thing on our minds. Expect to find various ways to enhance your relaxation practices in these pages – from the type of vacation you take, to the underused power of play, to creating restful environments wherever you are, as well as how you pay more attention to rest and relaxation.
The book also explores the science of rest and the different rest strategies we can use to recover from stress. Ready to be productive?
6. Self-Care in Everyday Life: The Little Book to Help You Take Care of Yourself by CICO Books
Self-explanatory: Expect various simple and creative ways to take care of your mind, body, and soul when life gets busy (which it always seems to do!).
Important note: This little book on self-care doesn’t promise results, but rather recommends implementing small changes that will gradually improve your energy levels and quality of life, leading you to sleep better, eat healthier, relax more, and stop overthinking in its tracks. Declutter your mind and make progress toward achieving that ever-elusive “balance.”
READ MORE: Your November 2023 sex horoscope is here and Scorpio season brings the heat
7. The Little Book of Happiness When Life Gets Hard
From incessant cell phone notifications that demand our attention to news cycles that deliver negative news 24/7, distractions and negative feelings constantly persist and influence our emotions.
The Little Book of Happiness is a compilation of wise words from some of the world’s most famous people – from ancient philosophers and famous writers to modern personalities. Expect your thought patterns to change, your mood to be boosted, and you to work on your inner joy.
8. The Joy in Small Things by Hannah Jane Parkinson
The Joy of Small Things is uplifting in all the right places and an absolute joy to read. It reminds you to take time out and appreciate the little things in life that can bring you satisfaction (Yes, you’ve heard that before!).
Parkinson encourages his readers to take the time to appreciate the little things, like the beauty of nature, a good cup of tea, or a funny moment with a friend, and to share how such moments serve as a temporary escape from the struggles and fears can serve life.
READ MORE: Um, a shocking 50% of South African women are iron deficient
9. The Things You Can Only See When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
“The Things You Can Only See When You Slow Down” emphasizes the importance of living mindfully and in the present, and explains in detail how slowing down helps us observe the beauty in life and become aware of our own thoughts and feelings to become.
It also offers practical tips for practicing mindful living (think meditation, self-compassion, and gratitude). Topics covered include topics such as dealing with stress, overcoming depression, and cultivating meaningful relationships.
10. The sun will rise and so will we by Jennae Cecelia
With vivid images and carefully chosen words, this collection of poems illustrates the power of resilience and hope, encouraging readers to never give up, no matter how difficult the going gets.
Now show us something better than pretty words to remind you that life is beautiful and that life means well!
READ MORE: Radio presenter Gugu Mfuphi on the lessons she learned during her Kilimanjaro summit – and more
11. The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav
In this moving account of how people form a spiritual covenant the moment they land on earth, the author takes the reader on a journey that encourages them to move from understanding power as a manipulative ability to recognizing it of power as an alignment of personality to develop with the soul, also called authentic power. Expect a better understanding of how human interactions arise on a much deeper level.
12. A Therapeutic Journey: Lessons from the School of Life by Alain De Botton
The importance of understanding your feelings, taking responsibility for your own well-being, practicing self-care, the need for compassion, the power of forgiveness, and the need for self-reflection are all topics covered in this book that will help you become more self-aware let. more aware and better equipped to deal with life’s never-ending challenges.
Women’s Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may receive commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
