Book Nook: Books to Improve Your Emotional and Physical Health from Mango Publishing

 I recently had a chance to review a wide variety of books from Mango Publishing targeting improving your mental and physical health.

The Art of Stopping - How to Be Still When You Have to Keep Going

 In his novel The Art of Stopping, Dr. David Kundtz shows readers how to give themselves the greatest gift of all: knowing when and how to stop. Big things can grab your attention but don’t forget to turn around and find the serenity in stillness─the peace in a deep breath, and the happiness in remembering who you are. With this valuable guide, learn to connect with the spiritual aspects of your life, practice mindfulness and reduce stress, use proper coping tactics to create healthier habits, and much more. View this book on Amazon!

Ironically, this book took me a while to get to reading. Once I did read it, though, it was great. It was a powerful reminder that we need rest - and more than that, it was a practical way to get that rest in the midst of a busy world

Cleanse Your Body, Reveal Your Soul: Sustainable Well-Being Through the Ancient Power of Ayurveda Panchakarma Therapy 

Part travel memoir and part spiritual guide, Cleanse Your Body and Reveal Your Soul is one woman’s transformative quest with Ayurvedic Panchakarma (a fivefold detoxification treatment involving massage, herbal therapy, and other procedures) and the profound shifts that led to some sustainable, substantial life changes. Dissatisfied with a mainstream psychiatric practice, Dr. Judith E. Pentz headed to India, where she studied a 5000-year-old Ayurvedic Panchakarma detoxification and rejuvenation therapy in a quest to provide enhanced holistic wellness treatment for her patients. Dr. Pentz’s narrative offers a compassionate and compelling path for both Western audiences and the Ayurveda-curious. View this book on Amazon!

Although this one didn't appeal to me as much, it was still well-written. I have nothing against the book, I just have a very different life philosophy. That being said, it was still definitely worth the read because I think we can learn as much from other ways of thinking as we can from books that support our own way of thinking.

Random Acts of Kindness - 365 Days of Good Deeds, Inspired Ideas and Acts of Goodness

In 1995, a small group of people at Conari Press came together around the idea that small gestures and simple acts can make a difference in people's lives. Thus, Random Acts of Kindness was born- they had no idea how big this little idea would become. The new version of Random Acts of Kindness features true stories about acts of kindness and generosity of spirit, suggestions for living more compassionately, inspirational quotes to get you started, and much more. This book of inspired ideas and good deeds conveys how “the power of one”―that is, you―can make a better world, starting today! View this book on Amazon!

I loved this book. As a family we do a lot of volunteering, and we do look for ways to be kind, but this was a little different. The beauty of Random Acts of Kindness is that sometimes they are totally anonymous - and yet they still feel good. It's about finding joy in the small acts even if it's not part of an organized project, and when you do that, you start finding more ways to help. It's also true that  when I'm focused on being kind to others, I'm more likely to notice people being kind to me - and that's.a wonderful way to live.

The Herbal Healing Handbook - How to Use Plants, Essential Oils and Aromatherapy as Natural Remedies (Herbal Remedies)

apy, and other natural elements to treat ailments and help prevent illness. The Herbal Healing Handbook combines the wisdom of our elders with a modern kitchen herbalist’s sensibility.If you are tired of automatically turning to chemical treatments, or just want to have more plant-based care options, The Herbal Healing Handbook is the book for you. It is a must have for those seeking health solutions that work from Mother Earth. View this book on Amazon!

I like the idea of using more natural options for ailments. Obviously if you break a leg, aromatherapy isn't going to set the bones properly, but there are many cases where using natural and herbal remedies can be beneficial. This book did a good job of explaining many of the health solutions that are readily available without going to a doctor, although I would be a little cautious about taking it too far and avoiding traditional medicine all together.

Your Goal Guide - A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals

Your Goal Guide by Debra Eckerling starts with that first, crucial step: figuring out your goals and putting a plan in place. As a professional writer, communications specialist, and project catalyst with more than 20 years of experience, Eckerling is prepared to help you achieve success. Eckerling presents readers with her own tested and proven method: The DEB Method. DEB is a brainstorming and task-based system and stands for: Determine Your Mission, Explore Your Options, Brainstorm Your Path. Through a combination of writing exercises and systems, Eckerling provides readers with a process for making and setting goals that is stress-free and easy-to-manage. View this book on Amazon! 

This book provided a very methodical way of setting and achieving goals that works with just about any goal that you can imagine. If you've been stuck at your goals, it's another option that just might work for you.