Living in our modern world can sometimes be quite overwhelming. The daily pressures of work and home life can distract us and cause anxiety whilst we worry about the future and dwell on past mistakes. The 'always on' status we find ourselves in with instant messaging, social media, and emails can make us feel like there is no off button for downtime away from it all.
Mindfulness, however, can be extremely effective in relieving the stresses of everyday life by training us to be present in the moment using all of our senses to create calm. It has many mental and physical benefits and can be practised by anyone – there are even mindfulness activities you can do with young children.
If Mindfulness is a new concept to you and you think you'd like to give it a try, one of the best ways forward is to purchase a book on the subject. We've compiled a list of the best books on mindfulness practice so you can use our shortlist to choose a book you think will work for you.
8 Best Mindfulness Books To Read In 2022
A Quiet Mind - Shoukei Matsumoto
Why we like it:
- ● It contains simple tips to quieten the mind
- ● It helps you to have gratitude for what's important
- ● Beautiful illustrations
For your first venture into Mindfulness, you want something that is simple, quick and easy to read. A Quiet Mind is a perfect book for that. At 176 pages long and full of beautiful illustrations, you could easily consume this within an afternoon if you wanted to. The one downside to this book is that it sometimes lacks depth, but if you go into reading it understanding that this is an entry point into Mindfulness via Buddhist teachings, it becomes less of an issue.
The Joyful Journal - Octavia Bromell
Why we like it:
- ● Includes a range of creative activities
- ● It helps us to manifest our dreams
- ● Crammed with positive messages
Mindfulness is a journey of discovery, and this book beautifully aides you in learning that vital lesson. Where other books give you advice, this book invites you on the trip by letting you co-author it and write down your own thoughts and goals whilst helping you to focus on what's essential for finding happiness.
A Mindfulness Guide for Survival - Ruby Wax
Why we like it:
- ● A mix of humour and Mindfulness
- ● Great for mental health problems
- ● Easy step-by-step exercises
Crammed with positive messages, Ruby Wax's book has made it to our best mindfulness books to read in 2022 because it's incredibly relevant to the current times we're living in. It offers practical advice on how to survive the pandemic and life-long techniques that will help beginners increase their awareness and handle anxiety. You are also invited to write down your thoughts in Ruby's workbook as you work through the activities she's devised to help the reader get the most from it. Oh, and it's not often you can say this about a book on Mindfulness, but this is also genuinely funny too.
The Miracle Morning: 6 Habits that will transform your life before 8am - Hal Elrod
Why we like it:
- ● Simple advice for a big change
- ● Great for busy people
- ● Perfect for personal development
The author of this book has written from a unique perspective - Hal Elrod was involved in a near-fatal car crash aged 20 where his heart actually stopped for 6 minutes. He recovered from his injuries to achieve great business and sporting success, only to be given a 30% chance of survival after a rare cancer diagnosis at 30 years old. Elrod's experiences have given him a unique viewpoint on life that has inspired him to write books such as this one. The Miracle Morning encourages readers to live their best life using 6 key practices known as the 'life S.A.V.E.R.S' - silence, affirmations, visualisation, exercise, reading and scribing. The exercises are straightforward and easy to maintain, therefore great for those wanting to try Mindfulness out.
The Power of Now: A Guide To Spiritual Enlightenment - Eckhart Tolle
Why we like it:
- ● A classic of the genre
- ● Written by someone who suffered from depression
- ● Well written and easy to follow
This book is a classic of the genre for a reason, and it's not just that Oprah endorsed it; it's because it has genuinely impacted hundreds of lives since it was published. Unlike some of the other books in this list, the teachings may not resonate with you instantly. You may need to sit with them for a day, a week or even months – but if you're willing to give this book the time and effort, it has the potential to change your outlook on life.
Breathe Out: A Creative Guide to Happiness for Teen Minds - Various
Why we like it:
- ● Written specifically for teens
- ● Easy to do activities
- ● Proceeds of sales go to Mind
Let's face it, most Mindfulness books are written for grown-ups. There aren't that many title's dedicated to Teenagers despite them being under immense pressure in today's society. Thankfully, this book solves that problem and gives young people some creative exercises to better understand their emotions and work on their self-expression.
The Mindful Family Guidebook: Reconnect Your Family to Spirit, Nature, and Wellness - Renda Dionne Madrigal, PhD
Why we like it:
- ● It reminds us how important authentic connection is
- ● Has the power to help the whole family
- ● Written by a psychologist and long time mindfulness practitioner with over 20 years of experience
Many of the books on this list have focused on better understanding your own emotions. But Mindfulness can also be about connecting with others and your family. That's what this book does well compared to some of the other titles on this list. The book is also slightly different, with the author beautifully weaving Native American teaching and Mindfulness together.
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life - Jon Kabat-Zinn
Why we like it:
● Explains the basics of Mindfulness in a simple way
● Short chapters for bite-sized information
● Good for beginners wishing to learn to meditate
This book was first launched in 1994 and is still popular today for its simple approach to mindfulness teachings. As one of the best mindfulness books for beginners, this title can be picked up and put down whenever the reader feels like it due to its bite-sized chapters.
Summary
Mindfulness is a learnt skill that will take time for a beginner to master, which is why a good mindfulness guidebook is essential if you're new to it as a practice. Our best mindfulness books range from creative and activity-based to inward soul-searching, but they all have qualities we think you'll find helpful as a beginner. We hope you enjoy your journey and gain enlightenment and happiness in a book that's right for you.
