Mindfulness is having a moment — and for good reason — but the term itself is a bit vague. What exactly is mindfulness, and how do you become more mindful?
For some, practicing mindfulness might be focusing on the present moment while out on a walk. For others, it may be a more dedicated time and space to meditate without distraction.
Whether you’re in need of a drastic change to your outlook on life or are just looking to become more mindful in your existing routine, there are hundreds of books on mindfulness that can help. We’ve picked nine of our favorites, including Dan Harris’ bestseller, 10% Happier.
1. Walking with Fear by Diana Winston
As a mindfulness teacher for over 20 years, Winston has helped thousands of individuals reduce stress, regulate their emotions, and access well being. This Everand Coach audio course focuses on how to live more fully without getting lost in your fears. If you’re looking to kick-start mindfulness, this is a great option, as Winston provides proven exercises that you can start immediately.
Winston offers tips on managing anxiety through the RAIN method, a mindfulness technique used to combat difficult emotions by recognizing what is happening, allowing the emotion to be fully felt, investigating your emotions, and nurturing yourself.
For a mindfulness approach specifically focused on forgiving others (and yourself), check out Winston’s Opening to Forgiveness.
2. 10% Happier by Dan Harris
When former Good Morning America news anchor Harris had a panic attack on national television, he knew something had to change. Seeking this change led him on an enthralling, at times bizarre, self-help journey and to writing this New York Times bestseller.
10% Happier addresses the incessant voice in our heads that leads us to stress, over-eat, fixate on the past, or worry about the future, and the book offers meditation as a way to quiet those voices.
Harris’ account is hilariously well written, refreshingly candid, and the perfect choice for any meditation skeptics out there as Harris went from a skeptic himself to a routine meditator.
3. A Walk in the Wood by Dr. Joseph Parent and Nancy Parent
Being mindful can be boiled down to two simple ideas according to Joe and Nancy Parent – being present and being kind. This sweet and instructive guide draws inspiration from a beloved mindfulness expert — Pooh Bear — who can teach us a lot about enjoying nature, loving unconditionally, and simply being.
A delightful read for adults and children alike, A Walk in the Wood is a much needed reminder to slow down, play joyfully, and appreciate that we have everything we need within us to be happy.
4. The Mindful Day by Laurie J. Cameron
If you’re looking for a bit more depth, The Mindful Day digs into the neuroscience that explains why and how mindfulness works, and offers tips for integrating simple practices into everyday life.
Cameron emphasizes that mindfulness should become part of your daily life, allowing you to stick to your to-do list while feeling more centered, making this an approachable read for anyone looking to make small changes that have a big impact.
5. Mindfulness For Dummies by Shamash Alidina
Some of us need the For Dummies series to break down ideas like mindfulness in a way that feels a little more practical, and Alidina, a professional mindfulness trainer, does just that.
This book is a great starting point if you want to explore practical how-tos while also getting into the science of mindfulness. If you want to learn about more specific practices like breath work, this ultra-practical guide is a good place to begin.
6. The Power of Ritual by Casper Ter Kuile
A sneakier approach to mindfulness is to take routines that are already part of your everyday — making coffee, taking an afternoon walk, or brushing your teeth — and turn them into mindfulness rituals.
Author ter Kuile, a Harvard Divinity School fellow and co-host of the popular Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast, explains how even the most mundane tasks help center us and provide a sense of purpose. He argues that while many people have moved away from traditional religious practices, there has been a shift to secular routines (like gratitude journaling, yoga, and even indoor cycling) that can serve as foundations for our spiritual well-being.
7. Alphabreaths by Christopher Willard, Daniel Rechtschaffen and Holly Clifton-Brown
Whether you want to personally become more mindful or you're hoping to introduce the practice to your kids, this children's book offers a simplified approach to the practice.
That's right: Sometimes the best way to learn something is to read about it in a way that even a five-year-old will understand. Plus, mindfulness-seekers of all ages will appreciate the playful breathing practices in the book. (Redwood Breath? Yes, please.)
8. Savor by Thich Nhat Hanh and Lilian Cheung
Once you're on the mindfulness bandwagon, it's interesting to look at all the different ways the practice can impact your life. Written by world-renowned Zen master Hanh and Harvard nutritionist Cheung is this fantastic guide to the practice of eating mindfully.
It’s not just about an enriched enjoyment of food, but also the health benefits that go along with it. The book confronts feelings of shame or guilt around food, as well as exploring why traditional diets can be unsustainable. Then, it offers ways to use mindfulness as a guide to becoming the healthiest version of you.
9. Mindful Running by Mackenzie L. Havey
If you're a runner or walker who finds the general practice of mindfulness a bit tricky to grasp, Mindful Running is one of the best books around.
Havey combines training with mindfulness research and tangible tips to make your runs or walks more intentional and mindful. This book is more science-based and avoids anything overly spiritual that might turn off a more skeptical reader.
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About the Author: Molly Hurford
About the Author: Megan McKeough
Megan is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer who loves reading coming-of-age novels and memoirs. When she’s not reading, Megan is exploring the Brooklyn bike paths, trying out a new recipe, or cheering on the Houston Astros.
