It’s important to get in the habit of doing something positive in a place where you feel calm—that happy place for me is at the beach as it’s the perfect environment to catch up on my self-help reading list. I always wish I had more time to actually read at the beach as it is one of my favorite things to do over the summer. Truth be told, I end up finishing most of my books on audible in the car or while I am getting ready in the morning. Over the past few months, I’ve been taking the time to read (or listen to) books that are part of my wellness journey with topics covering the best in exercise, nutrition and ways to improve overall mental health. These reads have been very helpful towards enhancing my own personal growth so I thought I would share them with you! Below are some faves that will be sure to nurture your mind, body and soul.

1. The Power Source -The Hidden Key to Ignite Your Core, Empower Your Body, Release Stress and Realign Your Life by Lauren Roxburgh Body Alignment and wellness expert Lauren Roxburgh recently published her 2nd book, The Power Source where she shares with us the power of unlocking the foundation of your mental and physical health by building strength through the pelvic floor. Lauren is a gives us her insight on how to get a handle on inflammation, bloating, tension, discomfort, anxiety, or pain during sex. She shows us targeted exercises on how to manipulate our fascia to release the toxins that can negatively impact our health such as acute back pain, anxiety, and poor posture. Coined The Body Whisperer by Goop, Lauren guides us step by step through small changes we can make to relieve that stress, open up the body, and move towards a more evolved and empowered way of living. Included in the book are nourishing recipes, holistic therapies and a full toolbox to help realign your body and life. Check out her full line of Aligned Healing Tools here!

2. Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution: Turn Off the Genes That Are Killing You and Your Waistline by Dr. Steven Gundry

Renown surgeon Dr. Steven Gundry educates us on how your enemies for weight gain are your own genes backed by millions of years of evolution, and offers a proven way to decrease your waistline by outsmarting them. The book is filled with inspirational patient stories and step by step tips and tricks for his eating plan—think no sugar, gluten, “good and bad” fruits and veggies, what meats and fish to eat and more. He also shares his studies on why artificial sweeteners have the same effects as sugar on your health and your waistline and why taking antacids, statins, and drugs for high blood pressure and arthritis masks health issues instead of addressing them. Gundry offers recipes, menus and easy to memorize tips to keep you on track. His nutrition plan is not an easy one but will get you the results you may be looking for in terms of reversing heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and of course weight-gain. I have yet to implement his full plan myself but have modified my diet and incorporated many of his eating do’s and dont’s and found this book to be extremely educational and helpful.

3. The New Health Rules by Dr. Frank Lipman & Danielle Claro

Dr. Frank Lipman is a global leader in the field of health and functional medicine who focuses on the root causes of illness and guides his patients to the deepest, most lasting sources of wellness.
He and Danielle Claro (the deputy editor of Real Simple) co-authored this cutting-edge and beautifully edited book that shares the best wellness secrets to optimal health in a stylish, easy to read format. This book is a great resource for exclusive information that answers so many of the health questions were always curious about. Each page offers an important take-away and tip like some simple rules for getting a good night’s sleep, why yoga is a big deal, the importance of getting some sun, and the benefits of removing toxic products to live a clean, healthy and longer life.

4. 21 Days to Resilience by Dr. Zelana Montminy

This book discusses the desire for more happiness and how to attain it in a healthy way. We are taught to always strive for more and achieve more, but this author focuses on the power of resilience in our own lives, through the ups and downs. 21 Days to Resilience provides the guidance you need to get through anything in your life. Through science-backed research and tips. Dr. Montminy introduces a key trait necessary to improve resiliency and enhance wellbeing, such as gratitude, focus, playfulness, self-respect, and flexibility. Then, with three simple tasks to accomplish in a day - one in the morning, one during the day, and one in the evening. In addition, the book offers a "Take Stock" section that will help you gauge your current level of skill and each chapter ends with a "Lifelong" exercise that offers ways to build the skill as needed to keep your resiliency muscles strong.

5. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

This book takes you on an inspiring spiritual and emotional journey to reach your truest most authentic self through the discovery of truth and light. Tolle guides readers to enlightenment and discusses it’s enemy, the mind. He shows readers the role pain plays in our lives and how we can best process it, move through it, and recover from it by living fully in the present. The journey is thrilling, and along the way, Tolle shows us how we can gain compassion while staying in the present moment and that only after regaining awareness of being, liberated from mind and focusing on the now, is there enlightenment.

6. The Feminine Revolution by Amy Stanton and Catherine Connors

Women’s empowerment advocates Amy Stanton and Catherine Conners teamed up to share their philosophy on the impact on what unleashing our true feminine power can have on happiness. This book shares their views on how feminine traits that previously were deemed as “weak” such as sensitivity, emotional expression, and intuition are now being reclaimed. When we embrace these traits, they are actually powerful strengths that are the keys to unlocking our individual power as women. It begins with a brief history of this topic, then shows us ways we can relate to one another and ourselves through celebrating these parts of our souls. With an upbeat combination of self-help and societal analysis, the Feminine Revolution reclaims femininity for the modern woman and guides us along the journey of self acceptance and empowerment.

7. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

The author of Eat, Pray, Love brings you Big Magic. Elizabeth Gilbert has empowered the readers of her books for years and is now shares her unique wisdom on the power of creativity. With immense kindness and generosity, Elizabeth shows us her own creative process and gives us insights into the mysterious enigma that is inspiration. She challenges the ideals of perfection and asks us to embrace the ambiguity of the process with open arms. She discusses the habits, attitudes, and approaches we need in order to live our most free and authentic lives. This book is a great read for the stressed or “creatively blocked” individual.

8. The 5 Second Rule Transform Your Life Work and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins

Throughout your life, your parents, coaches, teachers, friends, and mentors have pushed you to be better than your excuses and have taught you to be bigger than your fears. What if the secret to having the confidence and courage to enrich your life and work is simply knowing how to push yourself? Using tools and implementing new habits, sharing stories and surprising facts from some of the most famous moments in history, art and business, Mel Robbins explains the power of a "push moment." Along this journey, she will give you simple tools you can use to become your greatest self. It take just five seconds to use this tool, and every time you do, you'll be in great company.

9. Brain Body Diet, 40 Days to a Lean, Calm, Energized and Happy Self by Sara Gottfried

Dr. Sara Gottfried is a world-renown health expert, and three-time New York Times bestselling author. Her latest book, Brain Body Diet, she shows how brain body health is the key to reversing a myriad of chronic symptoms - empowering you to live up to our potential and achieve the lasting health you desire. Designed for the female brain (which is different from the male brain), her breakthrough protocol will help you lose weight, get off harmful prescription medications, boost energy and mental functioning, and alleviate depression and anxiety in less than six weeks. Filled with incredible success stories, the most up-to-date scientific research, and the rich insights that are the hallmarks of her previous bestsellers, Brain Body Diet will change the way you look at your life and help you achieve total body health.

10. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin had a realization one afternoon: the days are long, but the years are short. She came to realize that she was not maximizing her time and appreciating the small moments. In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project. In this book, Rubin chronicles her adventures during her year to test out various scientific tests to achieve more happiness. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.

SHOP MY FAVE READS FOR MIND, BODY & SOUL
Click on each book cover to shop directly

I hope these reads will help you navigate a more healthy lifestyle inside and out! I plan to keep sharing my self-care journey into the wellness world with you to always look and feel 10 years younger.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these reads or your book recommendations in the comments below.

xxMelissa

Happy February Glow Girls! It's been one month since we made our New Years Resolutions but did we stick to them? No worries if you didn’t--you can start by implementing some of my favorite lifestyle hacks now. Read on for my top 10 tips to become a happier, healthier version of yourself.

1. DIET DAYS: Try a new eating plan to help lose a few extra pounds. Eating clean will make you feel better and get stronger! Whole 30 and the Akasha Center Food Cleanse are two of the safest and most effective diet plans.

2. FIND YOUR STUDIO: Purchase a Class Pass to try different exercise programs to find the ones that fit your lifestyle. You can go to multiple studios for great prices and at the same time try different types of exercise classes.

3. LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD: Motivate yourself to work out by sporting some new fashionable activewear. This helps me get in the right mindset to exercise and I also feel good wearing them straight to lunch. For the trendiest, most unique styles shop at Carbon38, Bandier and Sweat NSK. Get 15% off with discount code glow15 for all purchases from Sweat NSK.

4. TRACK IT: Invest in a fitness tracking bracelet like Fitbit or Apple Watch. You can track your steps, miles, and even how much and what kind of sleep you are getting.

5. CLEANER BEAUTY: Use organic and clean beauty products that are safe and effective. Some favorites include my new Olie X Melissa Meyers RoseGlow drops, and the make-up and skin care lines by Beautycounter and SAPPHO.

6. GOOD ENERGY: Keep your home healthy, fragrant and toxic-free. I use my Essential Oil Diffuser every day in my home office and love the lavender scent. Also try using this saging kit to clear out the negative energy from your space.

7. LISTEN: Tune in to audio books and self-help podcasts. My favorite audio books include The 5 Second Rule, Spark Joy and Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. For podcasts, I recommend Happier with Gretchen Rubin and The Marie Forleo Podcast.

8. MEDITATE: Download a meditation app to guide you through short, daily sessions of zen. Some favorites include Headspace, Calm and Unplug Meditation.

9. SUPPLEMENTS: Start incorporating dietary supplements to boost your overall health. OLLY makes delish gummies that include Endless Energy, Flawless Complexion, Restful Sleep and Goodbye Stress.

10. SOAK IT UP: Treat yourself to a weekly bath ritual that includes lighting beautifully scented organic candles by Sanari. Try adding lavender bath salts by Suzi's Lavender and soothing bath oil by ESPA, two of my bath time favorites.