Gym memberships will always be there, and supermarkets providing healthier food options won’t disappear, but fixing the root cause of problems within our bodies is going to require more than simply running on a treadmill. As much as the phrase “new year, new me” is thrown around, it rarely leads to lasting change. But have you ever wondered what it would feel like to deal with less anxiety? Lower health complications? Do you want to be able to create solid connections to the world around you and mentally feel happier and healthier?
In recent years, there’s been a shift from wanting to rely on medication to finding natural, alternative ways to achieve a healthier life. The books listed below offer valuable insight toward healing your good energy, stepping out of your comfort zone to build relations for a physically and mentally healthier lifestyle, and utilizing the tools of music and the arts in our everyday lives to maximize our healing efforts. Here are this week’s Three to Read picks!
HOT PICK
Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health by Casey Means and Calley Means
SYNOPSIS:
Good Energy focuses on identifying the root issues of health problems faced within society, from depression to anxiety, heart disease, insomnia, dementia, and other conditions. In her book, Dr. Casey Means explains that the key to understanding these limitations within our bodies is found in our metabolic function — something often misunderstood. Dr. Means illustrates that nearly every health problem we face is connected to how well the cells in our body create and use energy. This energy can be described as either “good” or “bad,” and for us to live freely, we must be able to identify our complicated symptoms to change our cells into good ones. Good Energy offers a four-week plan that will guide you in creating good energy within your body by examining the five biomarkers that determine the disease risk, tools for taking action, and dietary philosophies and food principles to live by.
WHY:
Good Energy offers a different perspective on identifying underlying issues within our bodies. Instead of taking medications to alleviate the problem, Good Energy aims to get to the root. Dr. Casey Means presents research-based evidence to implement in your life, from altering simple food choices (whether you’re a carnivore or vegan), detecting crucial biomarkers, and even navigating the medical field to fully understand what you need and don’t need. The goal is to replace the bad energy with the good energy and fully recharge the cells that might have taken a hit, causing illnesses. Simply going to the gym or changing your diet will not help to cultivate change, but by reading this book, you can take steps to diminish or eliminate current and future health problems.
COFFEE SHOP READ
The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier by Kasley Killam
SYNOPSIS:
In her book, The Art and Science of Connection, Kasey Killam approaches a vital component of achieving physical and mental health: human connection. Forming connections with people is often overlooked and underappreciated. However, people with a strong sense of belonging within a community are 2.6 times more likely to have lower health problems in their life. Yet, for some, building those connections can be difficult. Killam offers a simple framework to understand and bolster your social skills and actionable insights to develop companionship with those around you. The Art and Science of Connection reveals how others — such as a university student, a newly wed, and a retired widow — overcome their challenges to thrive within connection.
WHY:
Societal connections have diminished since the pandemic. People are more likely to stay home rather than go out and meet others, and there’s a real harm in closing yourself out from the world. The Art and Science of Connection doesn’t just present social connections as a positive for your well-being but a necessity for your health. By using real life examples, Killam illustrates how you can achieve connections no matter what stage of life you’re in. You’re never too young or too old to foster friendships for our mental and physical health. In order for people to thrive, they must let go of the idea that they can do life on their own because it simply isn’t true. The loneliness epidemic can end by simply adopting a few of these principles of becoming socially healthy.
DARK HORSE
Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness edited by Renée Fleming
SYNOPSIS:
Music and Mind is a collection of essays from leading scientists, artists, creative arts therapists, educators, and healthcare providers about the impacts music and the arts have on human health. Research shows music and art therapy is an effective tool to help those suffering from anxiety, depression, stroke side effects, brain injuries, and mobility limitations caused by Parkinson’s and MS. World-renowned soprano and health advocate Renée Fleming shares her own experience and invites leading experts to share their discoveries so that you can fully understand the intricate effects music and the arts can have on your life.
WHY:
While art and music are beautiful additions to our culture, people are largely unaware of their healing elements. Renée Fleming pieces together a telling book to highlight the supporting evidence from experts around the globe that music and art can aid in human health. Each chapter discusses a new element of relieving anxiety, depression, and even major health problems such as Parkinson’s and MS. Music and Mind taps into a simple feature we already have access to — art — to spread hope for improved mental, physical, and spiritual wellness.
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to join us next week for more curated recommendations.
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Browse these books and more reads handpicked by the Bookstr team on our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop!
