Among its many now-classic jokes and one-liners, NBC’s Parks and Recreation introduced the world to three simple, magical words: Treat yo self. It’s the catchphrase shared by characters Tom and Donna on the one day each year when they treat themselves to new clothes, relaxing massages, and fine leather goods.
Their example may be inspiring, but being good to ourselves should be a daily occurrence, not a yearly one. So if you’re ready to give yourself a break and enjoy life a bit more, the seven books below can help you treat yourself like royalty.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself
By Nedra Glover Tawwab
Rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the techniques shared by influential therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab help us identify and express our needs clearly—and resolve a key issue behind codependency, power struggles, anxiety, depression, burnout, and more. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Laziness Does Not Exist
By Devon Price
For too many of us, our self-worth has become a function of our productivity. In other words, we only feel good about ourselves by working harder and harder, even from the couch. But social psychologist Devon Price is here to explain why what we call “laziness” isn’t just natural—it’s something we should all strive to embrace. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Work Won’t Love You Back: How Devotion to Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted, and Alone
By Sarah Jaffe
Sarah Jaffe, a preeminent voice on labor, inequality, and social movements, examines the “labor of love” myth—the idea that certain work is not really work, and therefore should be done out of passion instead of pay. In this way, she reveals how all of us have been tricked into buying into a new tyranny of work. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most
By Greg McKeown
We’ve been conditioned to believe that if we want to overachieve, we have to overexert, overthink, and overdo. That if we aren’t perpetually exhausted, we’re not doing enough. But bestselling author Greg McKeown is here to propose a better, healthier way forward, one in which it’s easier than ever to do the things that really matter. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Risk Forward: Embrace the Unknown and Unlock Your Hidden Genius
By Victoria Labalme
In this brief, easy-to-read, full color book “experience,” acclaimed keynote speaker and performance coach Victoria Labalme shares a series of strategies that are practical, reassuring, and radically freeing. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
By James Nestor
Modern research is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance; rejuvenate internal organs; halt snoring, asthma, and autoimmune disease; and even straighten scoliotic spines. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving
By Celeste Headlee
While work tries to worm its way into every waking moment, award-winning journalist Celeste Headlee reminds us that we can and should set some time aside for ourselves. In other words, it really is okay to sit back and do nothing. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
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