Self-help books can be a daunting but exciting venture into a whole different genre. They are all about change; whether that be changing your habits to become a better person or changing your physical health to become a better, healthier person.

However, I would like to change the perspective on self-help books, they are simply not books to cure anxiety or mental health issues. They are books to change your outlook on life and this can be easily done through the different books I will recommend. These recommendations offer bite-sized, easy ways to navigate your way through life when it seems difficult.

The first book I would recommend would be Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King and this takes readers through a spiritual outlook on how to better their lives. King takes readers through inspirational quotes and inspiring doodles to help them better their outlook on life. It is a book about manifesting all your wishes, living a meaningful life as well as appreciating the little things which matter in life. There are many lessons that can be learnt throughout the book but the three main ones include; the law of attraction is simply not enough to master what you would like, you must master your emotions, boundaries are necessary when it comes to taking control in your life and in life, you either choose to plant good or bad seeds in your subconscious mind.

The second book I would recommend would be The Anxiety Solution: A Quieter Mind, a Calmer You by Chloe Brotheridge. The book is a simple guide for anyone suffering from anxiety, whether that be in social situations or at home. It is the roadmap to a calmer, happier and more confident you. Every chapter starts in a simple way, with a quote to give the reader confidence and then goes onto talk about the topic at hand. The chapter then ends with a basic summary of what Brotheridge spoke about.

The final book I would recommend would be Bigger Than Us: The Power of Finding Meaning in a Messy World by Fearne Cotton. Cotton is famed for writing many self-help books, including Happy, Calm and Quiet. Her books show that even though she is a celebrity, she has gone through some tough times and her self-help books show that we can navigate our way through dark days when they come. Similar to Vex King, Cotton takes readers through simple, spiritual ways to navigate their way through life when tough times appear. The book is about calming anxiety through connection, finding happiness through purpose, feeling comfort in the universal and thinking bigger to unlock you. In a simple definition, Cotton defines Bigger Than Us to be ‘tapping into the strength and comfort around us and releasing the blocks and insecurities which hold us back.’

These are the top three books I would recommend for anyone going through a tough time. There are more simple ways to navigate your way through life when tough times hit and this can include journaling as well as reading. I have found journaling to be a therapeutic avenue to take self-help down as writing your thoughts and feelings down everyday can help. I hope this guide enables you to find deeper meaning in life and help you to navigate your way through life when times seem tough.

Enjoyed this? Read more Redbrick Culture here!

Musical Review: Tony! The Tony Blair Rock Opera

Book Review: Soul and Substance

Theatre Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane