Is Self-Help Effective?
simple tips and healthy hacks to enjoy your this part of the year
Healing Journey
“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”
Life is busy, stressful, chaotic and completely unpredictable. It constantly alters our plans, tests our courage and makes us choose between two horrifying options. Why? Well, probably because personal growth requires discomfort and painful experiences.
So if you think that life is testing you for absolutely no reason you’re wrong. There is a specific reason why certain things happen to you. To find it you need to face life challenges, learn your lesson, discover and own who you are. You need to fight your own battle to become stronger and more independent. But to be strong you don’t have to fight every battle alone.
Because, regardless of our personal experience, level of functioning or resilience we all feel hopeless, depressed, discourage and anxious when times get tough. When life challenges us we all need some support, words of encouragement or even a pat on the back. And that’s ok. We are all only human (no, it’s not an excuse) and as such, we need each other. A core of being human is a tremendous need for connection. This illusion of independence leads to loneliness, hopelessness, and self-pity.
No one can do everything by themselves no matter how strong, brave or optimistic they are. That kind of thinking reveals hyper-competitiveness, arrogance, and detachment from reality. It’s an ego trap you need to avoid at any cost.
We all struggle. We are all recovering from something traumatic and painful. We all experience this horrible feeling of standing on the edge of life crying for help and waiting for someone to save us at least once in our lifetime. It’s normal. It happens to everyone. But when it happens it’s important to find the courage and ask for help. Because no one should suffer in silence.
Yet, not everyone wants, needs or can afford therapy. And in such cases, self-help is a kind of help most people will choose. I choose this option to recover from complicated grief after the loss of my dad, and I don’t regret it.
Of course, in some cases, professional treatment may be necessary and we should never exclude this option. However, in my personal opinion, professional treatment is effective only if combined with self-help. Because the healing process requires self-reflection, self-awareness, self-compassion, and honesty. In other words, overcoming life challenges requires working hard on improving yourself.
Besides, no one, even the best mental health professional knows you better than yourself. That’s why the therapist and client relationship works only if it is based on cooperation, honesty, and mutual respect. We should never forget about that.
Countless Options
There are countless self-help options you can find online and start your healing journey right now regardless of what you’re struggling with. You’ve never looked for them, an infinite number of possibilities, an infinite number of choices and infinite number of resources will blow your mind. And if you need some help, I made a list of Best Self-Help Resources (in my opinion) to find online and start your self-healing journey today. Here it is!
Effective Self-Help Resources
Affordable, Available & Anonymous
prepare tonight for a productive tomorrow
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- Psychology Today here
- MENTAL HEALTH @ HOME BY ASHLEY L. PETERSON here
- Positive Psychology here
- verywellmind here
- PsychCentral here
- HelpGuide here
- simplepractice here
- betterhelp here
- mindful here
- Kris Godinez - “Licensed Professional Counselor. Author. Speaker.” here
- Kati Morton “holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and is a licensed marriage and family therapist.” here
- Mark Manson here
- Headspace here
- HealthyPlace here
- ZenHabits here
- InvisiblyMe by Caz here
youtube channels on mental health
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" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/holisticlifebykate.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/asmr.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/holisticlifebykate.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/asmr.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7">3. Best Mental Health Podcasts
- The Hilarious World of Depression here
- Happy Place here
- Happier with Gretchen Rubin here
- Terrible, Thanks For Asking here
- The dark place here
- Not Another Anxiety Show here
- Mentally Yours here
- Tiny Leaps, Big Changes here
- Therapy Lab here
- Anxiety Slayer™ with Shann and Ananga here
- The OCD Stories here
- Mental Illness Happy Hour here
- Recovery Unscripted here
- The Struggle Bus here
- The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych here
- Meditation Minis Podcast here
4. Best Ted Talks About Mental Health
- The Magic of Not Giving a F*** from Sarah Knight HERE
- Don’t suffer from your depression in silence from Nikki Webber Allen HERE
- How to cope with anxiety from Olivia Remes HERE
- There’s no shame in taking care of your mental health from Sangu Delle HERE
- The brain-changing benefits of exercise from Wendy Suzuki HERE
- How to start a conversation about suicide from Jeremy Forbes HERE
- Depression, the secret we share from Andrew Solomon HERE
- Why we all need to practice emotional first aid from Guy Winch HERE
- Debunking the myths of OCD from Dr. Natascha M. Santos HERE
- My stroke of insight from Jill Bolte Taylor HERE
- The surprisingly dramatic role of nutrition in mental health from Julia Rucklidge HERE
- Depression is a disease of civilization from Stephen Ilardi HERE
- Healing illness with the subconscious mind form Danna Pycher HERE
- Depression, the secret we share from Andrew Solomon HERE
- On Being Just Crazy Enough from Joshua Walters HERE
- You aren’t at the mercy of your emotions — your brain creates them from Lisa Feldman Barrett HERE
Download Your FREE Printable Self-Help Workseets!
self-help and self-improvement booklist
" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/holisticlifebykate.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/sanjeevan-satheeskumar-1262291-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=214%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/holisticlifebykate.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/sanjeevan-satheeskumar-1262291-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=731%2C1024&ssl=1" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7">5. Best Self-Help Books
- The Self-Esteem Workbook (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) by Schiraldi PhD, Glenn R. here
- Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma by Pete Walker here
- The Disease Delusion: Conquering the Causes of Chronic Illness for a Healthier, Longer, and Happier Life by Jeffrey S. Bland here
- The Disease To Please: Curing the People-Pleasing Syndrome by Harriet B. Braiker here
- Self-Help That Works: Resources To Improve Emotional Health And Strengthen Relationships 4th Edition by John C. Norcross here
- The Inner Child Workbook: What to do with your past when it just won’t go away by Cathryn L. Taylor here
- Three Minute Therapy: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Michael R. Edelstein here
- Mad Like Me: Travels in Bipolar Country by Merryl Hammond here
- Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia by Marya Hornbacher here
- Elena Vanishing: A Memoir by Elena Dunkle here
- An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison here
- The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide, Third Edition: What You and Your Family Need to Know 3rd Edition by David J. Miklowitz here
- The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder: New Tools and Techniques to Stop Walking on Eggshells by Randi Kreger here
- Who’s Pulling Your Strings?: How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation and Regain Control of Your Life by Harriet Braiker here
- The Object of My Affection is My Reflection: Coping with Narcissists by Rokelle Lerner here
- Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie here
- Radical Forgiveness for Healing by Colin Tipping here
- Radical Self-Acceptance by Tara Brach here
- A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar here
- L’ultima cena: anoressia e bulimia by Massimo Recalcati (in Italian)
- Anoressia Bulimia Obesità by Massimo Recalcati (in Italian)
6. Mental Health Comics & Graphic memoir
- Graphic Medicine: The interaction of comics & healthcare here
- Psychiatric Tales: Eleven Graphic Stories About Mental Illness by Darryl Cunningham here
- Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo and Me
by Ellen Forney here - Ink in Water: An Illustrated Memoir (Or, How I Kicked Anorexia’s Ass and Embraced Body Positivity) by Lacy J. Davis here
- Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice from My Bipolar Life by Ellen Forney here
- Lighter Than My Shadow
by Katie Green - Swallow Me Whole by Nate Powell here
- Last Things: A Graphic Memoir of Loss and Love
by Marissa Moss here - The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir
by Thi Bui here - My Degeneration: A Journey Through Parkinson’s (Graphic Medicine Book 3)
by Peter Dunlap-Shohl here - Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson here
- Rosalie Lightning: A Graphic Memoir by Tom Hart here
- Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel here
best apps for mental health
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- Calm Meditation and Sleep Stories (Android; iOS)
- Happify: for Stress & Worry (iOS and Android)
- Headspace (Android; iOS)
- Breathe2Relax (Android; iOS)
- Anxiety Reliever (Android; iOS)
- Self-help for Anxiety Management (iOS)
- Sanvello (Android; iOS)
- Worry Watch (iOS)
- Rain Rain (Android; iOS)
- Panic Relief (Android; iOS)
- SAM App (Android; iOS)
- What’s Up? - A Mental Health App (iOS and Android)
- MoodTools - Depression Aid (iOS and Android)
- MindShift CBT - Anxiety Canada (iOS and Android)
- Self-help for Anxiety Management (iOS and Android)
- Happier (iOS)
- Smiling Mind Meditation for all ages (iOS and Android)
- MY3 Suicide Prevention (iOS and Android)
- PTSD Coach - not only for Veterans (iOS and Android)
- NOCD: Effective care for OCD (iOS)
- RR: Eating Disorder Management (iOS and Android)
- Rise Up + Recover: An Eating Disorder Monitoring and Management Tool for Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and EDNOS (iOS and Android)
- CBT Thought Diary
#1 Free Mood & Thought Journal (iOS and Android)
Best Posts About Health:
- Are You Suffering Unnecessarily - 21 ways you are sabotaging your happiness HERE
- 10 Smart And Powerful Ways To Deal With A Panic Attack In A Public Place HERE
- 5 Lessons I’ve Learned Overcoming Depression That Can Help You If You’re Struggling HERE
- 6 Simple Ways To Live A Healthier Lifestyle HERE
- Free Yourself From Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts HERE
- How To Start Eating Mindfully HERE
- Put Yourself In A Positive Headspace HERE
- The 20 Most Unexpected Benefits Of Anxiety HERE
- It’s Just A Bad Day Not A Bad Life HERE
- Yes, I’m Depressed, No, I’m Not Giving Up - 5 lessons about depression HERE
- 23 Ways To Support Your Friend Or Relative With Their Mental Health HERE
- 10 Powerful Tips To Survive An Emotional Breakdown - Finding Hope In The Face Of Personal Tragedy HERE
8. Best Movies On Mental Health
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
- Rain Man (1988)
- Good Will Hunting (1997)
- A Beautiful Mind (2001)
- Girl, Interrupted (1999)
- Black Swan (2010)
- Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
- The Hours (2002)
- Shutter Island (2010)
- K-Pax (2001)
- As Good as it Gets (1997)
- What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
- Helen (2009)
- Still Alice (2014)
- Melancholia (2011)
- Matchstick Men (2003)
- No Letting Go (2016)
- Memento (2000)
- Inside Out (2015) produced by Pixar Animation Studios
Netflix
- To The Bone
- Not Alone
- Atypical
- Take Your Pills
- Brain on Fire
- Orange is the New Black
- Maniac
binge-watching netflix
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" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/holisticlifebykate.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/nathan-dumlao-1103997-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/holisticlifebykate.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/nathan-dumlao-1103997-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7">9. Groups, Forums & Chats on Mental Health
We Born to Connect
- https://psychcentralforums.com
- https://www.inspire.com/groups/mental-health-america/
- https://www.mhanational.org/find-support-groups
- https://www.verywellmind.com
- https://support.therapytribe.com/teen-support-group/
- https://www.mentalhealthforum.net
- https://www.nami.org
- https://saneforums.org
- http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/supportforum/support_rooms/
- https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/depression-help-groups/
10. Fun & Creative Exercise for Better Mental Health
- Keep Your Daily Journal (write it out loud!)
- Practice Mindfulness Techniques here
- Practice Guided Meditation
- Do a Body Scan Meditation (it’s FUN!)
- The Mirror Technique
- Deep Breathing Exercises
- Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Use Positive Affirmations
- Practice Self-Care here
- Practice yoga
- Connect with Nature here & here
exercise for better mental health
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11. Build Your Support System
Find Your Tribe
Instead of over-analyzing the situation you’re in and creating different worst-case scenarios talk to someone. Free yourself from this internal tension by sharing your experience with others. Of course, I’m not saying that you should approach a stranger and tell them about your mental health struggles because it may not be a good idea to share your private life with some random person.
Instead, use your phone and call or message someone that you know is trustworthy. Talk to your family member, friend or even co-worker and describe how you’re feeling. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. People are around you in your life for a reason.
Talking to someone about your struggles is a great opportunity to release stress and tension from your body, refresh your thinking, gain a new point of view and in consequence look at your situation from a completely different perspective.
- Maybe your current situation is not as frightening as you think?
- Maybe you just fall into a trap of overthinking and over-analyzing that made you feel even more anxious and completely unable to stay rational?
It’s quite possible, right?
So instead of excessive worrying or inventing terrible scenarios that might happen just talk to someone. Get your phone and call a person you can trust.
And if you feel you have no one to talk to about find a forum or online community and read other people’s stories. There are so many chats or online communities that people created to talk about their problems and share their struggles. And let me tell you, people give very good advice!
Click on the photos and DOWNLOAD your 2 FREE workbooks!
P.S.
Stay Positive
Be Mindful
and Select Best Self-help resources for Your Journey!
xo Kate
9 thoughts on “Effective Self-Help - Best Resources to Improve Your Mental Health Today.”
Thanks so much for the mention lovely! 💕
My pleasure, Ashley! You’re doing a great job! Your blog is a great source of mental health news and information! I wish you all the best. Take care and have a wonderful Sunday!! 💕
Same to you! ❤️
Wow.. this is incredible! 😄
I’ve read heaps of self-help books and online resources, and you’re right, there’s heaps out there to discover. The issue can be finding what ‘speaks’ to you, I think. I’ve found some to be very thorough and probably fantastic for some people, but I haven’t gelled with it. Personal preference, so I think if you don’t strike gold straight away with the first one or two books/sites/apps etc you look at then keep looking.
(I really hope you don’t mind me pointing this out but there’s a teeny tiny typo. If it were me I’d like to know.. or maybe not as I probably make hundreds constantly! 😂 8th paragraph, first word ‘besudes’. )
You’ve done brilliant at collating all of these resources, Kate. It can be daunting knowing there’s so much out there but not being sure where to start, so this is incredibly helpful! And.. what I did NOT expect was my name at the bottom - That is so kind, and I’m shocked, thank you! Glad to see Mark Manson on there, love his ‘f*ck it’ style! Ooo and Zen Habits, I remember first discovering that years ago and falling in love with the content. What I also wasn’t expecting were the health comics - you’re full of surprises!
Another amazing post, like a treasure trove full of self-help resources - bookmarking this! xxxx
Hi Caz!! Thank you for your kind and incredibly empowering words! I do believe that self-help resources can be incredibly effective in everyone’s healing journey. Honestly, without self-help books, Youtube channels and blogs I mentioned in this post I’d have never made it through the last couple of months. Besides, there are so many incredible resources on mental health available online that it would be crazy (sic!) not to use them for self-healing journey.
I wrote this post because I want everyone who is suffering to know that there are not alone in their struggle and even if they can’t or don’t want to go to therapy there are other options.
P.S. Thank you for pointing out my mistake! I didn’t notice it! Take care and have a great day!! 🙂💕
Hey lovely, did you get my comment on this from a few days ago? I saved it ‘just in case’ as Akismet doesn’t always like me so I never know if my comments will go to spam! I’ll paste it here in case you don’t have it 🙂
“Wow.. this is incredible! 😄
I’ve read heaps of self-help books and online resources, and you’re right, there’s heaps out there to discover. The issue can be finding what ‘speaks’ to you, I think. I’ve found some to be very thorough and probably fantastic for some people, but I haven’t gelled with it. Personal preference, so I think if you don’t strike gold straight away with the first one or two books/sites/apps etc you look at then keep looking.
(I really hope you don’t mind me pointing this out but there’s a teeny tiny typo. If it were me I’d like to know.. or maybe not as I probably make hundreds constantly! 😂 8th paragraph, first word ‘besudes’. )
You’ve done brilliant at collating all of these resources, Kate. It can be daunting knowing there’s so much out there but not being sure where to start, so this is incredibly helpful! And.. what I did NOT expect was my name at the bottom - That is so kind, and I’m shocked, thank you! Glad to see Mark Manson on there, love his ‘f*ck it’ style! Ooo and Zen Habits, I remember first discovering that years ago and falling in love with the content. What I also wasn’t expecting were the health comics - you’re full of surprises!
Another amazing post, like a treasure trove full of self-help resources - bookmarking this! xxxx”
Hi Caz!! I did get your comment!! I just needed some time to think about it. I didn’t want to give you a quick answer. Besides (I love this word!) I’ve been writing a guest post for your blog. It wasn’t the easiest one for me to write for many different reasons but I’ve finished and if you don’t mind I will send it to you today. Hope you’re doing fine. Have a great day!! 🙂💕🙂💕🙂💕
Very informative blog. Mental health is a level of psychological well-being. You have discussed about some effective best health resources to improve the mental health such as self help books, mental health apps and comics etc. Really this is a very useful information.
Hey! Welcome to my page! Thank you for your positive feedback. P.S. Congratulations on your blog, it’s very informative. Wishing you all the best.