Ruthelia Dreams: Mindfulness & Self-Help Books

This book featured in my blog post Connecting with Nature and remains one of my favourite go-to's for when I need a mindful pick me up. The pocket sized book is a mixture of mindful quotes and thoughts and mindful activities for your day to day life. This book really does change your perception of the world and help you see the light even in the darkest of times. Click here to buy The Little Book of Mindfulness by Tiddy Rowan.

This is another book that fits into your pocket of handbag nicely, so that you can take it wherever you go. Although the principle of this book may sound the same as The Little Book of Mindfulness, they are entirely different. This book is full of meditative activities and positive affirmations and mantras, to encourage you to develop your own personal meditation practice whilst teaching you techniques. You also learn some factual information about meditation. If you're into meditating then I'd definitely recommend this! Click here to buy The Little Book of Meditations by Gilly Pickup.

You Are So Awesome - Summersdale Publishers
Another pocket-sized book, You are so Awesome is filled with motivational and uplifting quotes from mankind's most wonderful people. Featured are quotes from Martin Luther King Jr, Theodore Roosevelt, Bette Davis and many more inspirational people. The people behind these quotes were successful, so it is the perfect book to dip into when you feel like you're not good enough or you're struggling. This book will help you realise that you can and you will achieve. Click Here to buy You Are So Awesome.

This book featured in a recent blog post of mine, The Power of Scents. What I love about this book is that it is split into several sections: Nature, Sleep, Travel, Relationships, Work, Children, Creativity and Food. This book is very much designed as something you can dip into, depending on your situation. For each section Acton Smith teaches you techniques for approaching things in a more mindful way, integrating mindfulness into your daily life accordingly, so that you can find satisfaction and calm in all aspects of your life. There is also a free app that goes along with this book, where you can play limited free meditations or subscribe for access to them all. Click here to buy Calm by Michael Acton Smith.

Reasons to Stay Alive - Matt Haig
This book reminds you of why your life is worth living. I would very much recommend it for people who are feeling lost, hopeless, depressed or suicidal (although please remember to seek advice from a professional). Matt Haig takes us through his own journey of Mental illness and recovery, reminding us that its okay to fall, yet simultaneously encouraging us to pick ourselves back up when we do so. Because life goes on and there are so many wonderful things in life. Click here to buy Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig.

The final book I am reviewing today is At Last a Life. This is the first book I actually got for my mental health, when I was 16 and finally discovered what I was suffering from. Paul David recalls his own experiences with Anxiety and Panic Attacks, detailing his own journey to recovery and encouraging us to do the same. He describes common thought processes like "what if I have a panic attack" and reminds us not to let these thought processes be the deciding factors of our actions. Another remarkable and relateable book. Click here to buy At Last a Life by Paul David.

Just to say, none of these books have cured me, there is no quick fix for mental illness. But I have found these books very insightful and helpful, they are uplifting and remind me of the little things in life. Life is beautiful and I hope that you find at least one of these books helpful. Do remember that these are not designed as replacements for professional advice and that if you are suffering from symptoms you are concerned about, please speak to a professional.

Mindfulness & Self-Help Books - Review