Top Wellbeing Books and Podcasts - Recommendation List

See our recommendations for brilliant Books and pleasing Podcasts all centred around wellbeing and mindfulness.

This month we have a slightly different booklist, books that could have a positive impact on your wellbeing. I have also included a couple of podcasts and Ted talks because I know lots of people prefer listening or watching. 

As always I have included a link to the books on the list, these are not affiliate links just there to help you find your chosen reading. 

If you have another book, podcast or video to add to the list, please tell everyone about it in the comments.

52 ways to walk by Annabel Streets

We know getting outside and exercising is great for our health and wellbeing. If you find your stuck in a rut with your regular walks (or can’t squeeze a walk into your day), this book might be for you. The book gives you a focus for you walks each week for a year - it explains how each way of walking contributes to your health and wellbeing and may just be the motivation you need to get out for a weekly walk. 

52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time a book by Annabel Streets.

Why we sleep by Matthew Walker

As early years practitioners, we think about sleep a lot - often around if we and our children have had enough sleep to get the most from our days together. The science of sleep is fascinating and this book explains the importance of sleep and provides practical steps you can take to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. 

Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams a book by Matthew Walker.

Four thousand weeks - Time management for mortals by Oliver Burkeman

We often feel that we must do things now to ensure our future success - which can add to the pressure we feel as we go about our daily lives. Oliver Burkeman argues that there are (and always will be) demands on our time - we will never get to the end of our to-do list, so perhaps we need to change our relationship with time. This book can help you stop the never ending quest to ‘get everything done’ and help you to think about ways to create a meaningful life. 

Four Thousand Weeks: Embrace your limits. Change your life. Make your four thousand weeks count. a book by Oliver Burkeman.

Wintering: The power of rest and retreat in difficult times by Katherine May

A beautifully written book which may bring a little calm during times of change or upheaval. This non-fiction book will remind you of the importance of thinking about and making time for the things you need. Katherine May sensitively describes periods of difficulty and challenge in her life. Which may make you think this is going to be a sad read, but it is gentle and hopeful. 

This book won’t make you feel like you need to swing back into action, but instead take a little longer to contemplate, and feel all the better for it.  

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times a book by Katherine May.

Flourish by Martin Seligman

In this book, Psychologist Martin Seligman outlines five elements of well-being (known as the PERMA model). He describes how positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievement contribute to wellbeing. While some suggest that the focus on individual flourishing fails to consider the role that society has in wellbeing, this is a book that could help you reflect on things that could help you and those around you to flourish. 

Flourish: A New Understanding of Happiness and Wellbeing: The practical guide to using positive psychology to make you happier a a book by Martin Seligman.

You could also watch Martin Seligman’s Ted talk - Martin Seligman: The new era of positive psychology | TED Talk

The good life: Lessons from the world’s longest study on happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz

This book is based on the findings of the 80-year-long Harvard Study of Adult Development. The study tracked the lives of 724 men. The men were asked regularly about their lives and health, the study now follows the descendents of these men and continues to gather data. 

The clear message from the study is that good relationships are vital for our health and happiness. It provides real-life stories to bring the findings to life, we learn about the protective qualities of social connections and close satisfying relationships.

The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Study on Happiness a book by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz.

You can also find out about the findings in Robert Waldinger’s Ted talk - Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | TED 

Journals

If journalling is already part of your routine, you may simply look for a beautiful book with plain pages to use as a journal. However, if you are contemplating getting started with journalling you may prefer to get on with prompts. 

There are lots to choose from, I have included links to two, but  it is worth having a look at a few so you can decide which is right for you. 

Becoming: A guided journal for discovering your inner voice by Michelle Obama

Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice a book by Michelle Obama.

Happy the journal: A chance to write joy into everyday and let go of perfect by Fearne Cotton

Happy: The Journal: A chance to write joy into every day and let go of perfect a book by Fearne Cotton.

Cook once, eat twice by Nadiya Hussain

It can feel tricky to fit in time to cook in a busy working week, in this book Nadiya provides ideas to help save time and eat well. As well as recipes that are great for batch cooking, she also has ideas for using leftovers and baking treats that can be stored and eaten later. 

Cook Once, Eat Twice a book by Nadiya Hussain.

And while you cook - why not listen to a podcast…

Podcast - Phoebe reads a mystery

If you feel like you don’t have enough time to read, but find searching for an audiobook a bit too much, this old but brilliant podcast is for you! Host Phoebe Judge reads a chapter of a classic novel in each episode (in a very soothing way). 

There are no new episodes being made, but you’ll find plenty of books to enjoy. The series started with mysteries from authors like Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan-Doyle, it branched out to include more authors - so there are plenty for you to choose from.  

Podcast - Just one thing with Michael Mosley

If you feel you don’t have time to do anything for your wellbeing, the late Michael Mosley’s Just one thing may be the podcast for you. In each 15 minute episode, he considers ‘just one thing’ that could improve your health and wellbeing.

Michael speaks to experts and a volunteer who has tried out the one thing - so by the end of 15 minutes you have the information you need to decide if you want to fit that one thing into your routine.  

Podcast - Parenting hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe

If you’re looking for some humour mixed with relatable parenting experiences, Parenting hell could be the podcast for you.  The podcast launched in April 2020, with the title Lockdown parenting hell. Later dropping ‘lockdown’ from the title, the hosts speak to guests, share listeners' stories and their own. 

Podcast - Happy Place with Fearne Cotton

Fearne Cotton explores what happiness needs through her conversations with guests.You’ll find episodes going back to 2018, with a variety of guests discussing life, love, loss and (of course) happiness. 

Podcast - Everyday positivity with Kate Cocker

A daily two minute episode to remind you to consider your wellbeing every day. In these short episodes Kate gives a practical idea you can implement straight away, and explains why this may support your positivity.