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4 of the Best Nonfiction Self Care Books

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Alice Burton

Staff Writer

Chicagoan and aspiring cryptozoologist Alice Burton has a B.A. in Comparative Literature and is an Archives Assistant with the Frances Willard Historical Society. When not booking or historying, she is singing soprano wherever people will have her. She will watch any documentary on Neanderthals or giant extinct animals, and has a Stockholm Syndrome-like love for Chicago and its winters. Blog: Reading Rambo Twitter: @itsalicetime

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This list of nonfiction self care books was originally published in our nonfiction newsletter, True Story. Sign up for it here to get nonfiction news, reviews, deals, and more!

Are you getting enough sleep? Are you drinking water? Or are you, like certain nonfiction newsletter editors, staying up til 1 a.m. every night and telling yourself the water in coffee is good enough. WELL these books are here to help you start taking care of yourself.

the little book of hygge book cover

The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking

Wiking is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, which is a real thing. “Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience,” Wiking explains. “It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe.” This little book has advice and ideas on how to incorporate this vibe into your life. Get into it (y’know, if you want).

The Witch's Book of Self-Care: Magical Ways to Pamper, Soothe, and Care for Your Body and Spirit

The Witch’s Book of Self-Care: Magical Ways to Pamper, Soothe, and Care for Your Body and Spirit by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

This newsletter endorses a variety of ways to practice self-care. Also I like the leaves on the cover. Wiccan author Murphy-Hiscock covers Green Space Meditation, DIY body butter, how to magically cleanse things and a ritual to release guilt. I actually might get this one, despite not doing anything witchy in my daily life.

Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh

Conscious breathing! Mindfulness! How to be present and peaceful when the world around you is chaos. It “contains commentaries and meditations, personal anecdotes and stories from Nhat Hanh’s experiences as a peace activist, teacher, and community leader.” There are so many exercises to incorporate into your life. Exciting.

The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love by Sonya Renee Taylor

This “offers radical self-love as the balm to heal the wounds inflicted by [systems of oppression]” and awakening “to our own indoctrinated body shame.” Body shame can take up a LOT of personal energy, and this is a step to counteracting it and being able to spend that energy doing other things. Like playing video games!