My reading in March suffered quite a bit because COVID-19 made concentration difficult. I have been reading more lately, but what I noticed most is the lack of non-fiction I finished. (I do still have two partially read non-fiction books lying next to my bed).
The two books I did read I'd group in the self-help category. These books might not be helpful to some people, but I've suffered from overthinking and panic attacks on and off for years.
Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel has been getting a lot of mention in the press. I devoured this book in just one sitting on a car trip to watch the high school girls basketball team play in the state tournament. There are places to take notes and questions asked, so this is a book that you may want to own. Bogel gives good advice and it's pretty easy reading. I did read a few negative reviews, commenting that the examples she used about her worries - such as whether or not to go on vacation -make her concerns seem really frivolous compared to big issues people face. I totally get that, and seeing that in a review made me aware of it as I was reading her book. However, because overthinking is something I do, I did find suggestions in her book helpful.
Dare: The New Way To End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks by Barry McDonagh is perhaps the best book about anxiety I've ever read. It may end up being one of the most important books I will ever read. With every page and example I found myself nodding my head and underlining things. It was like McDonagh was speaking directly to me. Turns out, I'm not really that weird or special. All the things I've experienced with anxiety are super common. Just reading that alone helped. He breaks down what is going on in your body, how to talk to yourself mentally and gives examples of situations where people often have panic attacks - and what to do when that happens. Unfortunately there is no magic bullet to get rid of anxiety/panic attacks, and there are lots of times you make progress and then take a step backward. But, this book is absolutely a must read for anyone with this problem.
Considering we are living in a time when almost everyone is feeling some level of anxiety, both of these books were so good to have read and learn from.
1 comment:
I own Anne Bogel's new book and will read it in days to come. I'm also interested in Dare. It's not one I've heard about, but it sounds like one I need to read. Probably not right now, even though it's about anxiety. Ha! However, I seem to have found my sweet spot in rereading J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas series - one after the other - having them on audio and also in print. Somehow that is working for me. I'm making notes for later though. Hope you and your family are doing well. Will your schools be opening again or have they made that decision as yet? I'm suspecting that ours may not - well, the Austin ISD has already said they won't, but the other area school districts haven't chimed in yet. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are both elementary teachers and he was almost certain that he would retire this year. Now she is thinking about doing the same. Guess we'll see how it goes. Take care!
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