These books have been life-changing and instrumental in my healing process of recovering from living for years and years in flight-or-fight mode exacerbated by toxic environments and in recovering from trauma and the after effects it has had on my body both mentally and physically. The list will be added to over time ♡
1. Welcome Home by Najwa Zebian
For all the empaths out there, this book seriously felt like a big hug upon reading it while being such a heart-warming experience that deepens your appreciation for your empathetic nature. Often highly empathetic people can struggle with boundaries due to so badly wanting to help other people when they see someone in pain and hurting. Deep empathy is a beautiful quality but when it gets to a point where you are hurting yourself, it becomes toxic and unhealthy. This book provides a gentle way of guiding you back to yourself when going through these situations, recognizing when a situation becomes unhealthy, and building a loving home within.
2. The Universe Has Your Back: Gabrielle Bernstein
Gabby Bernstein is an amazing women who has helped and touched so many lives. Her spiritual work is extremely inspirational. I recommend this book to everyone as its concepts are applicable across life. It truly helps you to let go of trying to control future outcomes, surrendering, and trusting that the universe has your back. This is so relevant today as we live in a volatile and increasingly complex world. Stay grounded and present with this book.
3. The Body Keeps The Score (Brain, Mind, & Body In The Healing Of Trauma): Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
For anyone who has undergone trauma or wants to be more informed about the effects of trauma on the human body, this book is a must. It is a very informational book that is quite helpful to identifying your trauma, understanding it, and helping you work through it. Many illnesses are physical manifestations of an imbalance of the body on the energetic plane- Gabby taps into this more in her Happy Days book.
4. Happy Days: Gabrielle Bernstein
Another Gabby book! Happy Days helps guide you in recovering from trauma and reclaiming inner peace. Gabby's deep vulnerability inspires you to face your own fears and helps you feel less alone in the process.
5. Dear Gabby by Gabrielle Bernstein
There was no way I could not add this to the list. I listen to this podcast on Spotify. Gabby's podcast is one of the most vulnerable real podcasts out there. She helps so many people work through trauma while gently guiding them and giving them advice. *Warning- some episodes may be triggering or upsetting as there are some heavy topics at times. It truly is an eye-opening, heart-opening, and beautiful experience.
6. Clarity & Connection by Yung Pueblo
Yung Pueblo is a talented poet with books that focus on self-transformation, self-awareness, and self-love. I plan on reading his other books Inwards and Lighter as well which will likely be added to this blog post once I am done with them. Clarity and Connection focuses on how intense emotions accumulate in our subconscious overtime and condition us, causing us to react in certain ways. It gives insight into undoing any patterns we have and working to improve ourselves and further understand why we are the way we are and the changes needed for self-growth and improvement.
7. The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
This book is great for spiritual people and those interested in deepening their spiritual practice! It give insight into harnessing inner energy, how surrounding energy affects us and how we interact with it, as well as how our bodies store energy. It discusses the importance of the heart chakra's energy flow and how we open and close our heart center thereby blocking off or creating energy. Singer guides you in maintaining inner peace while giving you a deeper understanding of how energy is cultivated. - Oct 2022
8. In an Unspoken Voice How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness by Peter A. Levin PhD
This one is my favorite. I am not even half way through with it and find it to be extremely informative and helpful. I have always believed nature is our greatest teacher and what we should turn to for healing. Peter explores how trauma occurs in the body and how our bodies work to naturally release it as well as the impact afterwards. He looks to other mammals and studies their biology and emotional reactions while comparing humans to them to gain a deeper understanding of our makeup. It has helped me identify different states of trauma I have experienced while giving me insight as to how to work through them and best help my body. It is a great read so far! -Feb 2023
*Currently in the midst of other reads that will be added!
The most beautifully messy process is a human working through their past trauma, healing their inner wounds, and becoming the most authentic version of themselves. It takes a lot of bravery, patience, and love ♡