Looking for some inspiration, as well as some education, on healthy habits and best practices in all aspects of life? Look no farther than these 5 books on health and wellness. Although they’re not all new releases, I did read all of them in the past year, so they were new to me. Each of them taught me a great deal; a couple of them even changed my life.
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Run Forever: Your Complete Guide to Healthy Lifetime Running, by Amby Burfoot
This is a wonderful book for runners of all ages and experience levels who want to learn how to minimize injuries, develop workouts that work for them, and keep running for life.
This was the book I turned to when I started incorporating running into my workouts at the age of 46—after a total hip replacement!
Whether you just want to run for fun and learn how to add a running routine to your regular workouts (as I did), or learn how to train for marathons (as I did not!), this book has everything you need to make running a healthy, enjoyable part of your life.
The End of Back Pain: Access Your Hidden Core to Heal Your Body, by Patrick A. Roth, MD
And this was the book that undid my preconceived notions about the myths of running—that it could be bad for your joints and your back. In fact, it is just the opposite. As Dr. Roth writes, “I believe that running offers even more benefits than walking. I make it a habit to scrutinize the MRIs of runners who visit my office. Over the years, I’ve been impressed at the condition of their discs: They’re remarkably well preserved. This is no accident.”
A neurosurgeon with decades of experience in spinal surgery, Dr. Roth aims to educate readers in good body mechanics, exercises that strengthen the “hidden core,” and approaches to managing and preventing back pain. Given how prevalent back pain is among adults across the globe, this book is a must-read.
Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs about Aging Determine How Long & Well You Live, by Becca Levy, PhD
And speaking of must-reads, this book completely opened my mind to awareness of ageism and how pervasive it is in our society. Moreover, Dr. Levy makes the case, quite convincingly, that the way we think of aging—our attitudes toward it—has profound implications for how well we ourselves will do as we age.
Dr. Levy demonstrates how many health problems that are often considered to be part of the natural aging process, such as loss of memory and hearing, are actually influenced by negative age beliefs. She takes a look at how many Western countries view aging in a negative light—perpetuated by youth-centric advertising in every medium—and contrasts that with how other countries, such as Japan, venerate the aged. Lifespans and healthspans in these countries are vastly different, with those that hold aging in a respectful and positive light having the greatest longevity in the world.
This book, too, convinced me that it is never too late to take up a healthy habit—which also led me to Amby Burfoot’s book listed above, Run Forever.
I was so blown away by this book that I have now given several copies as birthday and Christmas gifts to friends and family!
Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age, by Sanjay Gupta, MD
Is there any better advocate for brain health than Dr. Sanjay Gupta?? In this highly accessible book, the neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent provides science-backed ways to keep your mind healthy. As a cardiologist, this has a special place in my heart (pun intended), because, as we so often say—and as Dr. Gupta points out—“What’s good for the heart is good for the brain.”
The Happiness Makeover: Overcome Stress and Negativity to Become a Hopeful, Happy Person, by M.J. Ryan
And on the topic of what’s good for both the heart and mind, we know now that mental and emotional health is just as important in keeping both your heart and brain healthy in the long run. It’s been a tough few years for most of us, with the pandemic, the recession, global strife, and numerous other woes, so figuring out ways to stay positive is more important now than ever.
Thankfully, M.J. Ryan has us covered. In this book you’ll find numerous essays that invite you to be more optimistic and remove barriers to happiness—with concrete advice on how to do so. Feel your heart lighten as you discover new, happier ways of looking at the world. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
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