We all know that taking care of our physical and mental health is absolutely necessary, but it can also be hard to find new resources. Books are a great way to get inspired and learn, so if you’re looking for some fresh knowledge in the wellness arena, check out this list of 20 must-read wellness books by Black authors! Just so we are on the same page, the day that we are posting this blog, I consider this list my wishlist. This is a list of books I aspire to read, so let’s read them together. Whether you’re looking for guidance on how to nourish your body and mind or just need something inspiring to read, these titles will provide the tools you need for well-being and success. Get ready to sink into some much-needed self-care!
1. Vibrate Higher Daily: Live Your Power – By Lalah Delia
If you’re looking for the right guidance toward achieving a strong and joyful life, then Vibrate Higher Daily: Live Your Power by Lalah Delia is the must-read wellness book for you! This powerful guide helps us to make everyday choices that will contribute to our growth, health, and happiness. You’ll find empowering mantras, chants, poems, and affirmations throughout the book designed to help us tap into our inner power and strength. Unlocking positive personal transformation with Lalah Delia’s Vibrate Higher Daily will leave you feeling more confident and unstoppable in your daily life.
2. Own Your Glow: A Soulful Guide to Luminous Living and Crowning the Queen Within – By Latham Thomas
Own Your Glow is the ultimate manual to ignite your inner light and discover your power within. Through Latham Thomas’ expert insight, you’ll learn how to find the balance between personal and professional and lead an enlightened life. This book is a must-read for those who want to enhance their well-being, both physically and mentally. Bringing together ancient wisdom and modern truths, it’s a powerful reference that addresses the various aspects of wellness, such as stress management, clarity of mind, emotional resilience, and intuitive guidance. Own Your Glow will motivate you to make mindful lifestyle changes that will help transform your mind, body, and soul – so that you can fully embrace living with radiance and joy!
3. Rachel Ama’s Vegan Eats: Tasty Plant-Based Recipes for Every Day – By Rachel Ama
Vegan Eats is a cookbook full of delicious plant-based recipes that make cooking and eating vegan food a breeze—and a lot of fun! There will be no boring or bland dishes here, and forget about all-day cooking! Rachel draws inspiration from naturally vegan dishes and cuisines, as well as her Caribbean and West African roots, to create delicious full-flavor recipes that are simple to prepare and will inspire you to incorporate vegan food into your daily routine. Rachel’s recipes are quick and simple to prepare, and many are one-pot meals. The ingredient lists are brief and supermarket-friendly, and dishes can be prepared ahead of time. Most importantly, Vegan Eats includes a song with each recipe, allowing you to create a killer playlist to accompany each plate of delicious food!
4. Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body – By Jessamyn Stanley
Every Body Yoga by Jessamyn Stanley is the perfect book for beginners from all walks of life. This book is a must-read for those looking to start a yoga practice or deepen their understanding of the art. The book gives instructions on how to easily follow 50 basic yoga poses as well as 10 sequences that can be practiced at home, making it easy and accessible no matter your experience level. But most importantly, this book challenges traditional ideologies surrounding body acceptance. Choosing yoga doesn’t have to mean you idolize an impossible standard of beauty – through her own story and passion, Jessamyn proves that being open-minded and courageous when it comes to your body can help your well-being in ways you didn’t think possible.
5. Self-Care for Black Women: 150 Ways to Radically Accept & Prioritize Your Mind, Body, & Soul – By Oludara Adeeyo
As a Black woman in this hustle and bustle of life, it can be easy to put yourself last on your priority list. Self-Care for Black Women is here for you – this book offers you more than 150 practical exercises that will help you prioritize your own well-being and radically change how you view self-care. From quick meditations in the middle of the day to tactics for dealing with microaggressions, Self-Care for Black Women takes a unique look at putting your own needs first. Transform your well-being today and start taking the steps towards radical acceptance and prioritizing your mind, body, and soul.
6. MicroJoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay – By Cyndie Spiegel
In her book Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay, Cyndie Spiegel helps readers learn how to find joy during life’s toughest moments. This eye-opening read dives deep into recognizing the small moments of joy – or micro joys – that can be found all around us and encourages readers to embrace each moment, no matter how dull it may seem. Combined with quotes, affirmations, and her own experiences, Spiegel gives a great perspective on positivity’s importance in the darkest times. If we can focus on these micro joys instead of dwelling on the difficult times, great healing and change can take place. Bring hope into your life – grab a copy today!
7. Black Women’s Mental Health: Balancing Strength and Vulnerability – By Stephanie Y. Evans
In Black Women’s Mental Health: Balancing Strength and Vulnerability, author Stephanie Y. Evans weaves together the various ideas, perspectives, and stories that make up the complex landscape of Black women’s mental health. The book looks deeply into the unique experiences of this demographic to capture both the difficult and powerful aspects of their identities. Evans offers practical solutions drawing from both theory and practice – including self-care regimens and trauma studies – to develop a comprehensive understanding of how professionals can better recognize, care for, and support Black women. This is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in exploring this often misunderstood subject.
8. Blessed Health: The African-American Woman’s Guide to Physical and Spiritual Well-being – By Angela T. Ebron
Angela Ebron’s Blessed Health is a comprehensive health guide for African American women, offering both physical and spiritual insights. This book details everything from how to best take care of your body through preventive measures and more specific practical advice, like pelvic infections and fibroid tumors, to having a deeper understanding of how to manage illness from a religious perspective. And beyond this, Ebron offers special attention to the topics of breast and reproductive system health in order to help lower your risk of many different diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. I highly recommend this essential wellness resource to Black women!
9. Emotional Self-Care for Black Women: Discover How to Raise Your Self-Esteem, Eliminate Negative Thinking and Heal from Past Traumas Even if Your Life is Chaotic Right Now – By Alicia Magoro
If you’re searching for a way to take better care of your emotional self and raise your self-esteem, Blessed Health: Emotional Self-Care for Black Women is the book for you. Alicia Magoro takes an empowering approach to help readers eliminate negative thinking and heal from past traumas. This book provides an understanding of how our bodies and brains create our emotions and how we can use that information to improve our moods. With practical advice on common thought distortions and how to tackle them, this book offers valuable insight into being able to make positive changes in our lives even when chaos seems to be all around us. If you are looking for a tool that can help you create the life that you love, Blessed Health: Emotional Self-Care for Black Women is a perfect choice!
10. The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health: Navigate an Unequal System, Learn Tools for Emotional Wellness, and Get the Help you Deserve – By Rheeda Walker PhD
If you’re looking for an informative and engaging resource to help you navigate the unequal system of Black mental health care, then look no further than ‘Blessed Health: The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health’ by Rheeda Walker Ph.D. This book provides powerful tools to address your emotional wellness and fight for your rights. Dr. Walker dives deep into topics like how racism has impacted Black mental health, where to find helpful resources, understand your mental condition, and how to get the help you deserve. Whether you are a sufferer or supporting a loved one, this book is full of knowledge about crucial topics related to Black mental health that can be used for a lifetime. So don’t miss out on this invaluable guide – grab your copy today!
11. She’s Still There: Rescuing the Girl in You – By Chrystal Evans Hurst
Do you feel like your life isn’t what you expected it to be? In She’s Still There, Chrystal Evans Hurst encourages and inspires readers to reclaim their lives and find their true selves. With practical advice on how to reconnect with God and reset personal commitments, this book helps readers reframe their dreams and goals in sync with the present reality. You don’t have to wait until everything is perfect—you can start living the life you want right now! So, don’t delay—pick up She’s Still There today and get back into the driver’s seat of your life!
12. The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women – By Marita Golden
The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women by Marita Golden is an essential read for wellness coaches. In this book, readers will gain insight into how the mentality of being strong puts Black women at risk for physical and mental health issues. Golden dives into the effects of unrealistic expectations and explore how culture can disconnect Black women from their authentic selves. Learning more about this often-overlooked topic can play an incredibly important role in helping our clients truly reach their wellness goals.
13. Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience, by Sheila Wise Rowe
Healing Racial Trauma by Sheila Wise Rowe is an essential read for those looking to make sense of the effects of racism in their life. Rowe includes her own story of encountering prejudice in Boston during the 1960s and powerfully explains how understanding our past enables us to heal. However, it’s important to note that this book might not resonate with readers who do not subscribe to Christian teachings as much of Rowe’s advice is based on Christianity. This nonetheless remains one of the most powerful must-read wellness books for Black authors out there!
14. Black Pain. It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting: Real Talk for When There’s Nowhere to Go but Up – Terrie M. Williams
Terrie’s journey to addressing her own emotional pain is remarkable. As she recovered and learned more about depression and its effect on the Black experience, her mission became clear: break the silence and help those who are hurting in her own unique way. To this day, she inspires countless people through her work of simply letting them know that their emotions are valid and it’s OK to feel overwhelmed or hurt by their circumstances without judgment. In her book “It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting: Real Talk for When There’s Nowhere to Go but Up”, Terrie shines a light on Black pain as the root of lashing out through desperate acts. What makes this book unique is that it not only acknowledges our struggles but offers solutions to overcoming them. Going beyond surface-level conversations, Terrie encourages us all to get honest about our feelings and proactively confront our emotional pains—providing hope for renewal and healing.
15. Soothe Your Nerves: The Black Woman’s Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety, Panic, and Fear, by Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D.
Soothe Your Nerves helps us to develop a healthier, more honest relationship with mental illness and offers insight into the unique struggles that Black women experience. With her expertise in psychology and social work, Angela Neal-Barnett puts the power back into our hands so we can secure ourselves — mentally, emotionally, and spiritually — against the pressure of life’s inevitable bumps in the road. In this book, she emphasizes self-care while also adopting an understanding of how racism and high-stress environments contribute to increased feelings of anxiousness or depression. It’s a book that I would recommend to any woman looking for guidance on how to navigate their own personal encounter with anxiety and panic attacks in order to take control of their emotions.
16. Bipolar Faith: A Black Woman’s Journey with Depression and Faith by Monica A. Coleman
Monica A. Coleman’s Bipolar Faith is an inspirational and powerful journey through the experience of mental illness and depression while still holding on to faith, hope, and resilience. This memoir offers insight into how to embrace life as a black woman with depression, drawing reinforcements from her own experiences since childhood. She provides reflective accounts of encounters with prominent African-American intellectuals such as Henry Louis Gates Jr., Angela Davis, and Renita Weems that pushed her to keep on striving, reiterating that the highs of bipolar can be modulated to lead to great professional triumphs when managed effectively. Ultimately, Coleman discovered a new God, allowing her to find faith in all aspects of her illness and revitalize her life. Bipolar Faith is more than a story about recovery; it serves as a testament to living faithfully with mental illness and being unapologetic in doing so.
17. Willow Weep for Me: A Black Woman’s Journey Through Depression by Meri Nana-Ama Danquah
In Willow Weep for Me, Meri Nana-Ama Danquah speaks to all women who live with depression with her honest luminous account and inspirational story of healing. Her deeply personal narrative tells the moving tale of an African American woman’s lifelong struggle to come to terms with this universal affliction and find true peace of mind. With piercing insight and perfect pitch, Danquah emphasizes what it truly means to be a black woman in our society trying to battle one of life’s most difficult hurdles – depression. She proves that even in the darkest hours there is still hope and strength, providing us all an invaluable lesson on how to overcome adversity and reclaim our lives.
18. One Day My Soul Just Opened Up by Iyanla Vanzant
Iyanla Vanzant’s book “One Day My Soul Just Opened Up” is an excellent guide for those seeking to gain a better understanding of their own spiritual journey. Utilizing her personal anecdotes along with guided reflection activities, Vanzant offers valuable insight into finding inner peace and taking comfort in the fact that you are never truly alone. She gives readers the tools to confront challenges with courage, find a purpose that inspires growth, and believe in their own potential. This workbook challenges readers to deepen the relationship they have with themselves, as well as others, by reflecting on past experiences and uncovering life lessons necessary for individual transformation. With this holistic approach to self-healing, Vanzant shares a powerful message – acceptance can be found in even the toughest of moments if we’re willing to open up our hearts and souls.
19. The Stress Management Workbook: De-Stress in 10 Minutes or Less by Dr. Ruth C. White Ph.D., MPH, MSW
Feeling overwhelmed? Trying to learn how to manage your stress in a way that works for you is a challenging task. That’s why Dr. Ruth White has written The Stress Management Workbook, an invaluable resource for understanding and reducing stress through only 10 minutes of exercise per day. This amazing guide teaches helpful strategies for keeping your mind sharp and learning how to better respond to stress. Dr. White’s work in this book provides easy-to-follow and practical exercises that can reduce levels of stress long-term and help increase your overall mental wellness. If you’re looking for a useful guide when it comes to reducing your stress, pick up The Stress Management Workbook and start on the journey towards improving your mental well-being today! Definitely a must-read.
20. The Black Girl’s Guide To Self-Care: A 30-Day Self-Care Workbook by Kristin D. Hemingway
Are you ready to kickstart your self-care journey? The Black Girl’s Guide To Self-Care is a great resource to get you started! This book offers an excellent overview of the importance of self-care, in addition to providing practical tools, tips, and challenges. On a daily basis, readers will access simple yet powerful guidance written by Hemingway, as well as reflective journal prompts. With help from this workbook, anyone wanting to begin or restart a self-care routine can do so with ease. For example, Day 3 might challenge them to unplug from social media for the day so they can really take some time for themselves. Written specifically with Black Women in mind, The Black Girl’s Guide To Self-Care advocates for reclaiming their time, wellness, and joy on the path towards greater self-care.
As you can see from the list above, there are a variety of must-read wellness books written by Black authors that will help give readers insight into their personal journeys and provide them with powerful tools to confront everyday challenges. Whether someone is searching for guidance to overcome depression or just wants to learn more about self-care, all of these books have something valuable to offer. Each book encourages readers to take control of their own destinies and ultimately reclaim their time and joy in order to cultivate true peace of mind. So, why not grab one today and start your own path toward better health? You won’t regret it!
Share in the comments, what books are on your must-read list.