Read, reflect, repeat: The power of self help books

BY LINDSEY HUGHES

Art Director

Personal development, career advancement, overcoming personal challenges, mental health and physical health — these are just a few of the things that self-help books not only address but also attempt to conquer.

The stigma surrounding self-help books often leads younger generations away from reading this type of literature; however, not all of these books offer the same “cookie cutter” answers, nor are they all overly simplistic.

In the past several years, as the movement for mental health has grown and changed, so has the world’s view of mental health texts. Self-help books target a myriad of different aspects of life, from mental and emotional well-being, to spirituality and religion, to monetary wealth, to personal growth and relationships.

Tarleton State University sophomore Kynlie Bogle is a psychology major who strongly believes that self-help books can be a great first or last step to getting your mental health on track.

“Self-help books can help in so many different ways because they cover so many different areas,” Bogle said. “Whether reading that kind of text is your first step to improving your mental health or the last step after trying therapy or other methods, they can be super resourceful. A lot of the things these books cover that aren’t directly linked to mental health still have underlying connections to someone’s mental wellbeing.”

Some of the most popular self-help books that have been proven to encourage and help in some of these categories are listed below.

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear

This book is all about how to set yourself up to achieve your goals and become successful. Clear uses the philosophy of making small everyday changes and habits that build up into creating significant and long-term results for yourself.

His core idea is that a 1% improvement everyday may seem insignificant, but over time will allow you to achieve incredible growth. I have personally read chapters from this book and have gained new and insightful perspectives on my life through Clear’s words.

“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie

This is a book that focuses on relationships, communication and leadership styles. Carnegie covers how to build positive relationships with people, handle conflict, be a likable person, be a leader in your social environment and more.

This book could be groundbreaking for those who may struggle in social situations and relationship building. Carnegie tries to help the reader to use positive traits to influence others without using manipulation.

“The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle

This is a powerful spiritual self-help book that is essentially all about learning to live in the right now and staying in the present moment.

Tolle’s big idea is that a great deal of our suffering as humans comes from either being stuck in the past or worrying about the future. This particular book may be extra helpful for the busy, tired, stressed college student.

College is the time when most students are making mistakes that still haunt them, while also building towards an unknown future that worries them. Tolle strives to help readers become fully present to achieve peace, surrendering and accepting the past while being mindful of the now.

“The Body Keeps the Score” by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

This book takes a deep and exploratory dive into how trauma that we have experienced impacts not only our mind but our body as well. Van der Kolk addresses the fact that healing from past trauma involves healing our body as well.

This book draws from clinical research and psychological studies to help explain the connection between mind and body, as well as the science behind trauma. It also highlights many possible traditional and alternative approaches to healing, both physical and mental.

The book also covers how to grow after going through something traumatic and how to begin a healing journey.

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey

This book provides new approaches to effectiveness in both personal and professional life. Covey outlines seven key habits to improve upon many aspects of living, from mindset to relationships.

If you’re seeking a book to help with meaningful, productive self-improvement, this is the one for you. Covey structures his book around ethical approaches such as fairness or integrity. His philosophy centers less around the importance of changing what you do and more around positive changes in character.

“Staying Up Up Up in a Down Down World” by Zig Ziglar

This motivational self-help book is all about practicality. Ziglar gives practical advice about the importance of positivity even when life is challenging. He focuses greatly on how a positive mindset is a conscious choice, and our attitudes are within our control even when nothing else is.

This is an optimistic, helpful, straightforward guide to taking the bad in stride and still projecting positivity.

“Struck Down but Not Destroyed” by Pierce Taylor Hibbs

This book is written from a Christian worldview and is about living faithfully with anxiety.

This book is deeply personal and deeply emotional. Hibbs talks about living with anxiety and managing his mental health while also maintaining a relationship with God.

One of his key points is that faith can coexist with mental health, and he challenges the belief that anxiety is a sign of a weak faith. He also validates different mental struggles while giving practical coping and healing strategies.

Kerry Scheer, a Biblical counselor in private practice, could not speak any more highly of Hibbs’ book, claiming that it is her all-time favorite for anyone dealing with anxiety.

“The reason why I love it is (because) it’s not a book on the eradication of anxiety, but how to learn to use anxiety in such a way that produces depth in your relationship with God,” Scheer said. “It’s a very practical book, but it dives deep into how to wrestle well with anxious thoughts.”

These self-help books are some of the most powerful, groundbreaking reads that have changed lives in their respective categories. Whether it’s day-to-day work, relationships, anxiety, trauma or career uncertainty that you are dealing with, there are books out there to help you overcome and grow.