Self-Care in Stressful Times: 5 Audio Books to Help

Many readers have contacted us this year to tell us how they are struggling and asking what books we recommend to help. We’ve suggested short stories, well-worn classics, and novels that bring hope. But more and more we’ve been suggesting titles that might fall into the self-development genre, but we prefer to call self-care. This is especially true for our readers in Victoria – it’s important to take time to take care of yourself. The self-care titles are especially helpful as audio books. Listen to them in the bath, while you’re cooking, walking the dog or exercising. In fact, simply listening to these books is an act of self-care. Take care everyone.

Anxiety: Expert advice from a neurotic shrink who’s lived with it all his life by Mark Cross (read by the author)

Why we love it: If you feel anxious, you’re not alone. In Anxiety, the co-author of Changing Minds, who featured in the ABC TV series of the same name, demystifies anxiety in his trademark warm and friendly style. For people with anxiety, their families and friends, the book explores: types of anxiety; causes and common triggers; medical, therapy-based and natural treatments; the effect of anxiety at each life stage; anxiety in the workplace; navigating the health systems; and much more. Along the way, Mark shares his own experiences as well as stories from others who have not only survived but thrived.

What it’s about: Consultant psychiatrist Dr Mark Cross knows a lot about anxiety. Many of his patients experience anxiety, which is hardly surprising, because anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia, affecting up to one in four people at some point in their lives. But Mark also knows about anxiety from another perspective, because he too has suffered from it all his life.

Heavily Meditated by Caitlin Cady (read by the author)

Why we love it: Heavily Meditated has everything you need to know to get hooked on meditation for good. Presented in a simple, friendly and accessible style that even the busiest of meditation-doubters can relate to.

What it’s about: This is a down-to-earth guide to learning meditation and getting high on life. Filled with exercises and other practical tools, as well as relatable personal stories to light your way, Heavily Meditated is your complete toolkit to learning meditation and getting high on life.

Life Above Zero by Lauren Kerr (read by the author)

Why we love it: Are you ready to live a Life Above Zero? What is Life Above Zero? There is more to life than just surviving. There is thriving, flourishing and soaring. Discover the psychology to be happy in our fast-paced, demanding world of quick fixes and results. (With some positive, warm and fuzzy vibes thrown in, sprinkled with some tough love!)

What it’s about: Life Above Zero equips you with the practical skills and mindset, backed with psychology, research and statistics to help you unlock the code to success in your life and beat the mental health epidemic. Lauren shares personable, relatable stories to prove you’re not alone in your experiences and empowers you with universal assignments to up-level your own health, relationships, career and business.

Stay Strong by Audrey Dean (read by Beth Buchanan)

Why we love it: Full of warmth, candour and hard-hitting truths, Stay Strong provides the support you need to climb out of the emotional trenches.

What it’s about: Feeling pain is unavoidable, but it’s also a reminder that you’re living fully. With sage words and some lateral thinking, Audrey Dean reframes emotional experiences so you can conquer the lowest lows and live your best life.

Meditation: Practices for Awakening the Third Eye by Dr Gillian Ross (read by the author)

Why we love it: De-stress and unwind with this beautiful audiobook accompanied by soothing musical tracks. In the first meditation you calm your mind by focussing on the movement of your breath in your belly. In the second your focus becomes your heart. The third meditation builds on the other two and, with the help of subtle sound vibration, guides you into a profound mystical connection with an inner source of light and love.

What it’s about: Dr Gillian Ross has an Honours Science Degree, a PhD in Behavioural Sciences and is a trained yoga teacher. The three practices in this audiobook are suitable for both experienced and inexperienced meditators and for people of any religious or spiritual persuasion. Gillian’s soothing voice takes you into a space of deep inner stillness and healing.