The Best Books For Building Healthy Habits

We all want to have healthy habits that help us get closer to achieving our goals and living our ideal lifestyles! However, building healthy habits can be really hard. 

Most of the time you know what you need to do in order to get what you want. If you’re looking to lose weight you know you need to eat better and exercise. But putting that into practice and actually making those things a habit can be a totally different story! 

I personally find that reading books and listening to podcasts help me a) learn important information and b) motivate me to actually do something! On the surface level, I have the knowledge I need to build healthy habits but my motivation is what gets in my way! 

Having books explain concepts and tell stories is the kind of motivation I need sometimes to get my butt into action!

So, if you have been trying to start some new habits (or stop old ones) and have been finding it a bit of a struggle, let’s chat about some books that will help you! 

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What are healthy habits?

Starting at the very beginning, a HABIT is something that takes little thought or effort to do because you’ve become accustomed to doing it. 

That definition could be for good or bad habits! Smoking, drinking, stress eating, biting your nails… all of those things could be habits and may not be the best ones! 

Healthy habits refer to habits that promote health and wellness! These are things like exercise, eating nutritious foods, sleeping, reading, etc. The purpose of these habits is to promote a healthier lifestyle. 

The best books for building healthy habits 

Before we get into the books it’s important to recognize that not all the advice and guidance in these books will work for you but generally speaking, these are helpful! Tons of people, including myself, have found these books useful and informative and you might too! 

Atomic Habits by James Clear

This is the book of all books when it comes to habits. Great for people new the habits and who need a comprehensive guide to building habits! 

Millionaire Success Habits by Dean Graziosi

This is the book for you if you want to learn about habits that will lead to financial success. I’m actually listening to this one on audio right now! 

Making Habits, Breaking Habits by Jeremy Dean

A witty and interesting book about why habits can be so hard to form. A great read for people with questions about habits as the author does some myth busting.

Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life by Dr. Suhas Kshirsager

A unique book that blends general habit-forming information with science. The author discusses schedules, circadian rhythm, and consistency. Perfect for someone who wants to read something a little bit different and educational.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

A good book for understanding the root of habits. It talks about how habits are at the core of everyday life and everything you do. Great for people who want a societal, business, and personal understanding of habits. 

The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins is my go-to when I need some motivation! In this book, she talks about adopting just one new habit and giving yourself a high five. Great for people who need encouragement and motivation!

The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen Covey

This is a highly recommended book! Great for people who need a mindset shift around the view of the world and gives you 7 important habits that will lead you to success.

Make Your Bed by Admiral William McRaven

This book shows you how one small habit can change your life. Lots of stories about his time in the military and all the habits he formed there. 

Badass Habits by Jen Sincero

From the author of You Are A Badass, this is a fun and interesting take on building habits. This gives you step-by-step guides and a 21-day challenge!

Tips for getting the most out of self-help books 

Most of the time it’s going to be impossible to remember everything you read in a book. There is just too much information to retain and often when you’re reading you aren’t taking notes to study later. 

So, to make the most of your reading time and to soak in as much information as possible, here are some tips:

01 – pick each book with intention 

Usually, if you have some interest in the topic or you’re actively trying to learn something new you will pay more attention. So be intentional with the books you pick. If your goal is to improve your habits, grab one of the above books. If your goal is to learn how to blog, grab a book on blogging. 

02 – take a few notes

Now I don’t mean to write down notes like you’re studying for a test… just jot down a few things when something sticks out to you. Some people like the annotate books which also works! Just have a way to resist the ideas so you are getting the most use out of the book! 

03 – tell someone about something you learned 

Spend a few minutes telling a friend or family member about a new concept or something you found interesting. By sharing the information you are more likely to retain it. 

Related reads:

• Dreaming Of A Better Life? Read These Inspiring Non-Fiction Books
• Starting Something New? Read These 10 Motivational Books
• One Book That Changed My Life

I am a huge book lover so sharing book lists like this makes me happy! I want to spread the love of reading whether it’s through personal development or fiction. There is something really special about bonding with someone over a book so I hope that if you grab one of these you let me know what you think! 

Let’s chat! 

What do you think about healthy habits? Do you have any tips for forming better habits?