Happiness is something we all search for in life. Ultimately, everything we do is in aid of happiness, that new job, the big house, the Gucci handbag – you want them because they’ll make you happy right?
Anyway, as someone who suffers from anxiety, I know that anxiety often brings along it’s equally fugly friend, unhappiness. I mean it’s pretty hard to be happy when you’re in a constant state of tension and fear right? I have, over time, found lots of different ways to lift my mood and these books are ones I reach for on the reg. You’ll notice how many sticky notes are in one of them – yes I reference it daily. It’s like my bible – my happiness bible if you will. So here are my top 3 books to lift your mood.
My top 3 Books to lift your mood
Millie Marotta’s – Animal Kingdom
First off is a pretty standard one, the adult colouring book. To be honest I’m just glad that my boyfriend no longer gets that “you’re such a good person for looking after her” look when I’m colouring on the plane anymore and people actually get what adult colouring is about.
This is perfect for me because I’m such a fidget I can’t sit still and just chill, so this keeps my hands busy whilst also having a lovely relaxing and calming effect. I also find this one is particularly helpful when I’m on my way to a meeting or something I’m nervous about, or flying for example!
One thing I will say is pick the colours you use carefully – basically don’t colour in colours like red . .I’ve tried it and it ain’t calming and it definitely does not lift your mood!
Buy Millie Marottas Animal Kingdom
The Happy Buddha – Happiness and how it happens
This is a real eye opener on making you realise the power of your own mind and how you are in fact in control of your own happiness. A lot of it is based around meditation, I tried it and failed miserably, but the ideas, points and activities work so well without the meditation, after all meditation isn’t for everyone! It helped to teach me to ignore the harsh judgement your own mind has and to let things go.
You can see by the corner that Daisy tried to read this . . it brought her happiness too, even if it was only for a cheeky little chew!
Buy The Happy Buddha – Happiness and how it happens
Lois Blyth – The Secrets of Happiness
I have read this or at least referred to one page of this every month since I bought it. It’s a great book for anyone to read, even if you wouldn’t consider yourself unhappy and needing to lift your mood. The book teaches you to take a step back from situations before you react and look at it from other peoples perspective. It also gets you to think about things you do without realising, like how much do you subconsciously moan to make conversation? And my favourite question, when it last snowed, did you think YAY PLAY TIME, or did you think how am I going to get to work? basically – LIGHTEN UP!
Buy Lois Blyth – The Secrets of happiness
As my boyfriend kindly points out regularly, these books do point out the obvious. But I am a firm believer that sometimes you need someone to point out the obvious so you can take a step back and look at what really matters.
If you like these kinds of posts about how to lift your mood, you might also like this post about the happiness habit or this post about how to bring more happiness into your everyday life. I also did this post on Sunday about my own daily struggles with anxiety you may find interesting to read!
I hope you liked the post and make sure you follow me on Bloglovin’ for lots of posts up to 5 times a week! You can also now find me on Youtube here and don’t forget to follow me on Snapchat (username : sineadcrowe) for regular hauls and shenanigans!
Ooh, some new recommendations here, thank you 🙂
Author
I hope you like them lovely!
I really need to start using my Millie Marotta colouring book, I bought one ages ago and haven’t even opened it but I think it will be perfect for de-stressing in the evening, much more relaxing than being stuck to my phone! x
Author
SAME! I’m so bad at using mine! I always just go on pinterest! The pinterest hole!
I would love to read the second and the third books! I really like that kind of stuff xxx
http://fallingforablog.blogspot.com.es/2016/06/how-to-wear-off-shoulder-trend.html
Author
Honestly the secrets of happiness really helped me to look at things from a different perspective and helped me through a VERY difficult point in my life! I totally recommend it!
Oh wow these books look really good! I’ll definitely have to check them out. Love the colouring book. I really don’t need another one though, I have about 6 at home! Haha. X http://www.aimeeraindropwrites.co.uk x
Author
haha SAME! I colour one picture then think – nah I hate that I need to start a new one!
I have made a note of all of these, I have a few colouring books already but I’m definitely on the look out for books to cheer me up. Thank you for posting!
Hannah xx
http://hannahelizabethblg.blogspot.co.uk/
Author
No problem lovely I hope you find them helpful and enjoy them as much as I do! I still refer to them daily!
These books look so lovely and I now want to buy them all!
LITAH
Author
They’re so good I recommend them all! The secrets of happiness is literally my life guide!
I have one of the colouring books and they are so great for shutting your brain off and relaxing! I have never seen the other 2 so will add them to my reading list!
Author
I know I definitely need to use them more! I’m terrible at getting it out!
The animal kingdom books are amazing, I haven’t used mine in a while so definitely going to dig them out later!
http://laurenslittleblogs.blogspot.co.uk/
Author
I’m so guilty of not using mine but I need to get it out again! I always forget about it for like a month then remember and fall in love with it all over again!