Finding healthy ways to focus on positive thinking can be difficult, but changing our negative self-talk and disposition can have important effects on mental health. If you’re looking for a way to squeeze in a bit more positivity in your life in healthy, achievable ways, here are some of the best books for positive thinking.
1. A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage, by Cyndie Spiegel
How do you change your thoughts? One day at a time. This practical guide by Spiegal is a step-by-step guide to changing your thought processes using daily affirmations, exercises, and meditations. Simple and straightforward, you can start this book at any point in the year.
If you’re looking to make an immediate change in your thinking, but want to integrate it in reasonable ways, this book is for you.
2. Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation, by Gabriele Oettingen
The usual “just think positive” advice from well-meaning friends and family often falls short in the face of actual change. We’re told to just focus on our dreams, stay positive, and not let obstacles hold us back. But for many, it’s not that easy, and the advice, however well-intentioned, doesn’t give much else under scrutiny.
Oettingen draws on years of research and large studies to consider a new line of thought; mental contrasting, the idea of dreaming your goals and recognizing the obstacles in your way, allows you a chance to tackle those obstacles head-on, rather than be blindsided by them. The result is a healthier outlook on positivity and a better way to approach your goals.
3. Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking is Undermining America, by Barbara Ehrenreich
Thinking positive, according to history, is a relatively new approach. Ehrenreich breaks down how we came to this bright-side thinking and why it might have done more harm than good for society. America’s fascination with positive thinking has done two things, Ehrenreich argues: It set us up for eternal optimism that doesn’t do us any favors while also forcing us to stamp out any negative thoughts.
The author argues that positive thinking may not really have positive effects, and challenges readers to consider a more balanced, existentially brave approach.
4. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and It’s All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life, by Richard Carlson
Overthinking, nonstop negative thoughts, and anxiety over making decisions can make it difficult to think positively at all. Dr.Carlson wrote this book to give readers a series of little things they can do every day to get a bit more peace in their life.
This practical guide includes advice about picking battles, making peace with imperfection, and trusting your intuitions. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff is a good reminder about how little everything is, and how freeing that can be.
5. Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking, by S.J. Scott & Barrie Davenport
This guide uses mindfulness techniques to help clear out the mental clutter that is keeping you down. These exercises are built to help you identify where your anxiety is coming from and how to improve it going forward. You’ll also learn how to reframe negative thoughts, clear out anxiety-causing distractions, and more.
6. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, by Jen Sincero
Success coach Jen Sincero wants you to know that you are way cooler than you think. In a series of stories, inspirational quotes, and thought exercises, You Are a Badass is a guide just as much about thinking positively as it is about building confidence in yourself (and enjoying the occasional swear word).
7. Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, by Martin E. P. Seligman
Optimism isn’t always inherent; some people have to work on it. It’s a cultivated skill. Dr. Seligman’s national bestseller leans on twenty years of clinical research on the power of optimism and how it can physically affect your life.
With easy guides, how-to advice, and practical applications, Learned Optimism was written to help you retrain your brain.
8. Read This for Inspiration: Simple Sparks to Ignite Your Life, by Ashly Perez
These bite-sized bits of positivity are color-coded by what you may be looking for; inspiration, motivation, encouragement. While it may be helpful to continue unpacking why you’re constantly feeling negative or down, these quick reads are good when you need a quick pick-me-up.
9. Uplifting Stories: True Tales to Inspire You to Take Action, by Ione Butler
Sometimes, you just need to know how good of a place the world really is. Ione Butler is the founder of Uplifting Content, and she’s interviewed thousands of people with stories of hope, perseverance, and inspiration for this book.
When the news seems impossibly negative, or the world feels like a terrible place, Uplifting Storiesis here to remind you of the good that exists.
10. Deep Kindness: A Revolutionary Guide for the Way We Think, Talk, and Act in Kindness, by Houston Kraft
What if we were unfathomably kind to ourselves? What if we practiced kindness in every step of our day, even when it’s hard, or we don’t feel like we can?
Houston Kraft’s guide is for those looking to make the world a kinder, better place. It encourages readers to dive deep into why kindness may be difficult for them, or how to apply it in practical situations. In turn, it just might help you find more kindness and positivity in your own life
11. Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman
History as a whole can be really depressing. And humans, society tends to agree, are pretty bad. But author Rutger Bregman doesn’t think that’s entirely true.
Looking over 200,000 years of history, Bregman argues that humans are hardwired for kindness, predisposed to help others, and more likely to trust others than not. Humankind is good read for those who want to believe the world is a better place than they were told.
12. Crying Laughing, by Lance Rubin
You have to laugh about it, or you’ll cry. That’s what Winnie Friedman finds in this tragicomic novel that isn’t afraid to be as funny as it is heartbreaking. Facing awkward dates, bombshell diagnoses, and bad stand-up routines, Winnie is just trying to find a reason to laugh again.
Teenagers struggling to find the humor in everyday life might find Winnie’s journey affirming, or at the very least, a little funny.
13. Children of the Self-Absorbed: A Grown-Up’s Guide to Getting Over Narcissistic Parents, by Nina W. Brown
Author Nina W. Brown lays out concise definitions of narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder to help readers understand the extent of their parents’ issues. It delves into different types of destructive behaviors, and how to recognize the effect they had on you and your ability to form relationships as an adult.
Brown suggests the creation of realistic strategies and a step-by-step approach to resolving conflict and maintaining a relationship with narcissistic parents. It helps you moderate the damaging impact of your uniquely challenging upbringing.
14. I Have Lost My Way, by Gayle Forman
Three strangers find solace in each other in a novel that spans exactly one day in New York City. Freya is a struggling artist, Harun is about to run away from home, and Nathaniel just arrived in the city with nothing but the backpack on his shoulder.
As the day unfolds, these three protagonists find they have a lot to learn from each other about loss, love, and discovering how the vulnerability of helping others can help themselves.
15. Big Life Journal – Teen Edition: A Growth Mindset Journal for Tweens & Teens, by Big Life Journal Brand
This guided journal is built for teens and young adults. With guided prompts and a growth-mindset approach, teenagers can use this journal to outline goals, recognize their emotions, and frame self-talk in healthy, mindful ways.
When to See a Therapist to Help With Positive Thinking
You don’t have to be positive all the time; everyone has rough days now and again. But if you struggle with negative self-talk or finding anything positive in your daily life, it may be time to speak with a therapist. They can help you reframe the way you talk about yourself and the world. If you’re ready to make a change in your life, here’s a directory of therapists in your area.
