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The Book of Self-Care: Remedies for Healing Mind, Body, and Soul
Heal mind, body, and soul with this collection of self-care rituals and tips.
Never has the idea of mindfully checking in with ourselves and creating a “whole body” health—health that is more than simply the absence of illness—been so appealing. In this guide to self-care, wellness and beauty educator Mary Beth Janssen reveals how introspection, ritual, and love can help cure existential woes. She profiles a wide range of activities and exercises,
Never has the idea of mindfully checking in with ourselves and creating a “whole body” health—health that is more than simply the absence of illness—been so appealing. In this guide to self-care, wellness and beauty educator Mary Beth Janssen reveals how introspection, ritual, and love can help cure existential woes. She profiles a wide range of activities and exercises,
224 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2017
62 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 17, 2021
we are subatomic particles whirling around at lightning speed through vast open space, on the verge of becoming matter. And so, too, matter is always on the verge of becoming energy.
Once in a while we all need a bit of Emotional cleansing to declutter our brain and life.We are constantly running to be someone, to achieve something.
It was a great book to unwind my mind for a little bit.
Once in a while we all need a bit of Emotional cleansing to declutter our brain and life.We are constantly running to be someone, to achieve something.
It was a great book to unwind my mind for a little bit.
May 28, 2022
Wish the presentation of the entire concept and content was better and easier to get into.
The colourful word print made the reading more difficult than what it aimed to do.
Was looking for something different and soothing read. However this isn’t that for me.
The colourful word print made the reading more difficult than what it aimed to do.
Was looking for something different and soothing read. However this isn’t that for me.
June 8, 2024
3.5 rounded to 4
I got some really good insights into the science behind self-care and how self-care isn’t just about doing face masks and having an everything shower. Self-care goes way deeper than that, which I really appreciated about this book.
I got some really good insights into the science behind self-care and how self-care isn’t just about doing face masks and having an everything shower. Self-care goes way deeper than that, which I really appreciated about this book.
March 15, 2020
Made me feel like I was worth taking care of, and that the universe/God has my back. ❤️❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2019
2/5
Out of all the Self-Care and Self-Love books that I have read this one was the most mis-leading. I am going to keep this review short because, honestly, I skimmed the last 100 pages.
1. Overuse of Quotes:
So many quotes were used to fill up the pages and while some were meaningful, most were used so the author could make this into a book. Then she would go on and explain for 2 pages what that quote meant. Even though the quotes that she used were the most cliche and overused quotes in the self-care world.
2. Overly medical:
Honestly I did not feel like this was a book about self-care, more on the science behind self-care. There was so much talk about pheromones and serotonin that I started to wonder if this author even understood what it was like to have self-care without the scientific background on why it's important. Yes, the author is a doctor and putting in a little bit of medical background behind why self-care is important - if it is well placed. Besides the quotes filling up the pages, the science (that most of us know anyways) also filled up many of the ages. I got very few remedies for self-care.
3. The lack of material:
You might be thing, but this is over 200 pages long. How is there a lack of material? Maybe I should say lack of diverse material. For every single chapter the only remedy given was...MEDITATION. Oh you are having a bad day, Meditation. Your kids pissing you off, Meditaition. You want to scream, cry, and eat ice-cream...MEDITATION. The remedies were lacking, there was nothing else but truly meditation as a remedy. I picked up this book thinking it would talk about the different ways you can go about self-care and DIFFERENT things you can do and how to cultivate a different mindset.
Yes, meditation is very important. Sometimes, however, even the most accomplished person in meditation just doesn't want to do it. No matter how many benefits and healthy reasons there is to doing meditation.
4. The body-shaming:
I was so disappointed in the author for pointing fingers and saying (in hidden words) "you are the reason you are obese and unhealthy". I mean seriously, this author is only thinking in the mind of a doctor and not someone that cultivates self-love. Self-love is suppose to be beautiful and nonjudgmental. Unfortunately this doctor/author does not see it as such.
If you want a book that gives you remedies on self-care, how to take care of you, and how to love your self. Well this book is NOT it. I was so disappointed and mislead by the title. It was like click bait but worst. Here is a woman who thinks she knows what self-care actually is, but in reality she needs to take a look at her own self-care routine. Yes, being a doctor can help understand the science behind why cultivating self love is important; however, I got so many negative vibes from this book and the author.
DO NOT RECOMMEND.
Bookstagram
Out of all the Self-Care and Self-Love books that I have read this one was the most mis-leading. I am going to keep this review short because, honestly, I skimmed the last 100 pages.
1. Overuse of Quotes:
So many quotes were used to fill up the pages and while some were meaningful, most were used so the author could make this into a book. Then she would go on and explain for 2 pages what that quote meant. Even though the quotes that she used were the most cliche and overused quotes in the self-care world.
2. Overly medical:
Honestly I did not feel like this was a book about self-care, more on the science behind self-care. There was so much talk about pheromones and serotonin that I started to wonder if this author even understood what it was like to have self-care without the scientific background on why it's important. Yes, the author is a doctor and putting in a little bit of medical background behind why self-care is important - if it is well placed. Besides the quotes filling up the pages, the science (that most of us know anyways) also filled up many of the ages. I got very few remedies for self-care.
3. The lack of material:
You might be thing, but this is over 200 pages long. How is there a lack of material? Maybe I should say lack of diverse material. For every single chapter the only remedy given was...MEDITATION. Oh you are having a bad day, Meditation. Your kids pissing you off, Meditaition. You want to scream, cry, and eat ice-cream...MEDITATION. The remedies were lacking, there was nothing else but truly meditation as a remedy. I picked up this book thinking it would talk about the different ways you can go about self-care and DIFFERENT things you can do and how to cultivate a different mindset.
Yes, meditation is very important. Sometimes, however, even the most accomplished person in meditation just doesn't want to do it. No matter how many benefits and healthy reasons there is to doing meditation.
4. The body-shaming:
I was so disappointed in the author for pointing fingers and saying (in hidden words) "you are the reason you are obese and unhealthy". I mean seriously, this author is only thinking in the mind of a doctor and not someone that cultivates self-love. Self-love is suppose to be beautiful and nonjudgmental. Unfortunately this doctor/author does not see it as such.
If you want a book that gives you remedies on self-care, how to take care of you, and how to love your self. Well this book is NOT it. I was so disappointed and mislead by the title. It was like click bait but worst. Here is a woman who thinks she knows what self-care actually is, but in reality she needs to take a look at her own self-care routine. Yes, being a doctor can help understand the science behind why cultivating self love is important; however, I got so many negative vibes from this book and the author.
DO NOT RECOMMEND.
Bookstagram
June 18, 2023
yet the daunting statistics show that the world’s population is facing more health challenges than ever before.No it doesn't. The people of the world are healthier and live longer than ever. Yeah, some chronic diseases are more prevalent than before because 1. we are a lot better at diagnosing them with all our modern technology and knowledge and 2. because in the past a lot of those people wouldn't be around to be counted as ill because they would be dead.
Stress is at the root of chronic disease and is a killer.No it isn't. There is no "root of chronic disease" because there are thousands of chronic diseases and each have their own cause. And stress is not a killer, especially not the everyday kind of stress of "modern life", which btw is a lot less stressful than lives in the past when 50% of children died before the age of 5 (having my kids dying seems a lot more stressful than meeting impossible deadlines at work, being behind with laundry, and news trying to scare me so I would watch/read more of it) and just 200 years ago more than 84% of the world lived in extreme poverty (i.e. starving to death) which in this modern stressful world dropped below 10%.
I am not saying life is not too hard and stressful today. It is. But anyone that says it's more stressful has no idea what they're talking about. Or is lying to sell you a fake fix.
And medicine is moving away from this victim-blaming "you're sick/dying because you don't know how to manage stress and relax". Even diseases that were specifically thought to be caused by stress, such as ulcers, were shown to be caused by bacterial infections.
This book is full of dangerous misinformation.
April 7, 2018
I have picked up many self-help type books on mindfulness, meditation, self-improvement, etc. Most I’ve just tossed aside after a few chapters. But there’s something about The Book of Self-Care that made me stick with it. Perhaps it is its pure simplicity and matter of fact-ness. This isn’t a book for those who are already wedded to the teachings of types like Pema Chödrön (whose books I have picked up and felt lost) and Thích Nhất Hạnh. No—this is something for neanderthals like me who just can’t get the whole mindfulness and meditation thing down. It’s the basics at their most basic, but with a little bit of substance thrown in. Compassion, cleansing your karma, relieving and reducing stress, intentional silence as a means of meditation, setting emotional boundaries, detoxing (both physically and spiritually)... just enough information in plain and simple form. A lot of it may reinforce what you already know, but it makes for a good reminder. Positive messages and pathways, for those of us who aren’t embedded in the whole mindfulness and meditation revolution.
September 13, 2022
It’s basically a book based on karma healing, forgiving and forgetting, intention, meditation, unstucked feelings, putting boundaries just for us to become and remain healthy.
I feel like autumn is such a cleansing season, the nature is dying, the night is coming alive, it’s making me be grateful for the light, the sun, the wind. It’s a season of rebirth.
I feel like autumn is the perfect time for inner and outer self care.
This book couldn’t nail in my arms at a more perfect time.
If you don’t have any idea what self care is, this book is for you but even if you know: it’s a good reminder to chill and take a break.
I feel like autumn is such a cleansing season, the nature is dying, the night is coming alive, it’s making me be grateful for the light, the sun, the wind. It’s a season of rebirth.
I feel like autumn is the perfect time for inner and outer self care.
This book couldn’t nail in my arms at a more perfect time.
If you don’t have any idea what self care is, this book is for you but even if you know: it’s a good reminder to chill and take a break.
April 29, 2019
This book is life transforming...pure and simple. I couldn't have been more deeply moved by the author's own personal stories, as well as the in-depth guidance toward becoming more present in my life and in the choices I make. And at it's core...help me remember who I really am, Spirit. Thank you Mary Beth. This was so very helpful. I found my own private psychotherapist in this book, and could not be more grateful.
Read
July 23, 2019I have found this book to be very beneficial in reminding me to be more aware of me! Life can be full of stressors and the suggestions in this book are short, easily accomplished, and accompanied by beautiful, calming illustrations. This would make a great Mother's Day gift or gift to yourself.
Debbie
Debbie
Read
October 16, 2020DNF @ 40
I decided to get some ebooks on my tablet, to try that out. I got some non-fiction/spiritual/self help books.
The introduction is boring, didn't offer anything I didn't know.
I read in some reviews that there is body shaming in here. No thanks.
Hate the way it is written, probably because I'm used to fiction or whatever.
I decided to get some ebooks on my tablet, to try that out. I got some non-fiction/spiritual/self help books.
The introduction is boring, didn't offer anything I didn't know.
I read in some reviews that there is body shaming in here. No thanks.
Hate the way it is written, probably because I'm used to fiction or whatever.
September 9, 2025
DNF. There are a number of scientific facts in the book that are incorrect. When I researched if these facts were true, nothing came up, or something completely different came up. Also, there are no citations listed, which I feel like is important if the author is going to be stating certain scientific things as facts and quoting other authors books.
January 5, 2021
Very practical sound advice focus on our physical wellbeing as well as our metal faculties and make time to tend to our spiritual beliefs and values. In a nut shell take time away from the chaos in the world and focus on the mindfulness of the present moment fully.
July 8, 2018
Fantastic overview without being too preachy. Lots of helpful sources included and showed a few different perspectives.
November 6, 2018
I found the book to be mostly not useful with a bit of body shaming thrown in
April 7, 2020
Its the most beautifully desing book i own. But the content just wasnt for me. I would recommended for someone reaaaally into meditation and mindfullness.
January 21, 2022
A nice reminder to take care of yourself, in small ways that add up. Some interesting facts pulled from medical journals. A little repetitive, but I guess reinforcing info previous.
September 19, 2022
Great tips for how to take better care of yourself!
Read
January 23, 2024DNF
July 22, 2024
Very long book to read but lots of informative things in it. Even pinned a fee pages.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews