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Self-Care for the Real World: A Guide for People with Busy Lives
Self-Care for the Real World is a practical guide to self-care for real people with busy lives—a combination of friendly advice, personal stories, exercises, and recipes.
Wellness pioneers Nadia Narain and Katia Narain Phillips have spent years helping others to feel their best, but it took them a bit longer to understand how to look after themselves. Here they share the small achievable steps they have learned, and how you can apply them to your own life, wherever you are.
Sharp and funny, the authors acknowledge that there is no one way to practice self-care. They’re not here to give strict instructions or preach drastic life changes, but to offer small suggestions to help you toward becoming the best version of yourself.
“A manual for everyone about real health from the inside out.” —Reese Witherspoon
“I want to give this book to everyone I know!” —Kate Moss
“Sane, smart, and deeply wise.” —Sienna Miller
Wellness pioneers Nadia Narain and Katia Narain Phillips have spent years helping others to feel their best, but it took them a bit longer to understand how to look after themselves. Here they share the small achievable steps they have learned, and how you can apply them to your own life, wherever you are.
Sharp and funny, the authors acknowledge that there is no one way to practice self-care. They’re not here to give strict instructions or preach drastic life changes, but to offer small suggestions to help you toward becoming the best version of yourself.
“A manual for everyone about real health from the inside out.” —Reese Witherspoon
“I want to give this book to everyone I know!” —Kate Moss
“Sane, smart, and deeply wise.” —Sienna Miller
272 pages, Hardcover
First published December 28, 2017
122 people are currently reading
1689 people want to read
About the author
Nadia Narain
12 books10 followersI have been learning and teaching yoga for nearly 30 years. From Arsenal Football Club to pregnant women, performers on the road to CEOs on the ropes, absolute beginners to die-hard yogis, I adapt each practice to an individual's needs and ability.
I helped launch triyoga in 2000 and taught classes there until 2020 and in 2009 I created my Pregnancy Teacher Training Programme, one of the first of its kind. Teaching a kind as well as empowering way to help women in this stage of their lives.
In 2017 my sister and I published Self-care for the Real World. In 2018 we followed it with Rituals for Everyday. Both books remain international best sellers translated into multiple languages.
In 2022, I co-founded Love Supreme Projects in London with Manizeh Rimer. A beautiful space that blends roots, joy, and union into a vibrant community.
One of my long-term students calls me ‘That Nadia’, because it feels like everyone knows someone who I have taught.
In 2020, Life decided it had other plans for me and these days I divide my time between London and LA.
I combine all I have learnt in life to create a class with my signature ingredients.
I am very grateful to all my teachers and students, past and present, for all their guidance and inspiration. And of course life, that never fails to surprise me and teach me.
– Nadia
I helped launch triyoga in 2000 and taught classes there until 2020 and in 2009 I created my Pregnancy Teacher Training Programme, one of the first of its kind. Teaching a kind as well as empowering way to help women in this stage of their lives.
In 2017 my sister and I published Self-care for the Real World. In 2018 we followed it with Rituals for Everyday. Both books remain international best sellers translated into multiple languages.
In 2022, I co-founded Love Supreme Projects in London with Manizeh Rimer. A beautiful space that blends roots, joy, and union into a vibrant community.
One of my long-term students calls me ‘That Nadia’, because it feels like everyone knows someone who I have taught.
In 2020, Life decided it had other plans for me and these days I divide my time between London and LA.
I combine all I have learnt in life to create a class with my signature ingredients.
I am very grateful to all my teachers and students, past and present, for all their guidance and inspiration. And of course life, that never fails to surprise me and teach me.
– Nadia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
January 30, 2023
Overall, this book is pretty good. It was a recommendation, and I managed to purchase it at half the price, so I didn't feel like it was money badly spent. The book also did its job! I emerged on the other side armed with new recipes, and new perspective.
Its not without problems though - the first chapter on food chucked up this line: "You may be thinking, avocado on toast is about the most I can do when I get in from work...", then I realised a disappointing truth that this book, though good, isn't really for me. It equally isn't really for 'the real world'. The authors seem quite detached from the real world of women who work too many hours a day, and don't have the disposable income to follow the book's rules. It also seems to expect that, after arriving home from work (if you're me, thats 7pm, or 8pm), you have time to light scented candles, read a book, take an hour bath, do some yoga, but also get all the housework done (because a clean environment makes you happy... feng shui am I right?), and also cook a delicious and nutritious meal. Oh - and don't forget, its also very important to go to bed before 10.30pm.
Personally, when I get home from work I like to grab an unhealthy snack, pour myself a beer whilst I frantically shove dirty clothes in the laundry and try to hoover up. I might take a 5 second shower and I might manage to eat a ready-meal way too late at about 10pm. Avocado on toast by comparison sounds like a luxury.
It should have been a bit of a warning sign when the first few pages depicted the authors - two absolutely gorgeous, enviously skinny, middle class women whose wardrobe looks like it cost 6 months of my wages. But hey, I'm being too harsh! This book is good - I just wish it didn't market itself as being for 'the real world', when actually its for a small sliver of society: British women, with a BMI of 20.0 or less, a beautiful family, gorgeous house, and a household income of £85,000+
But like I said - I've taken some valuable lessons from the book, so I'd still recommend it!
> Make time for yourself (super important)
> Its ok to say no to plans
> Nurture friendships
> Don't eat crap
If this is the kind of book you feel like you might benefit from - go ahead and purchase it! Some of the recipes are bomb. But take it with a pinch of salt that everything may not be applicable to you, but thats okay!
Its not without problems though - the first chapter on food chucked up this line: "You may be thinking, avocado on toast is about the most I can do when I get in from work...", then I realised a disappointing truth that this book, though good, isn't really for me. It equally isn't really for 'the real world'. The authors seem quite detached from the real world of women who work too many hours a day, and don't have the disposable income to follow the book's rules. It also seems to expect that, after arriving home from work (if you're me, thats 7pm, or 8pm), you have time to light scented candles, read a book, take an hour bath, do some yoga, but also get all the housework done (because a clean environment makes you happy... feng shui am I right?), and also cook a delicious and nutritious meal. Oh - and don't forget, its also very important to go to bed before 10.30pm.
Personally, when I get home from work I like to grab an unhealthy snack, pour myself a beer whilst I frantically shove dirty clothes in the laundry and try to hoover up. I might take a 5 second shower and I might manage to eat a ready-meal way too late at about 10pm. Avocado on toast by comparison sounds like a luxury.
It should have been a bit of a warning sign when the first few pages depicted the authors - two absolutely gorgeous, enviously skinny, middle class women whose wardrobe looks like it cost 6 months of my wages. But hey, I'm being too harsh! This book is good - I just wish it didn't market itself as being for 'the real world', when actually its for a small sliver of society: British women, with a BMI of 20.0 or less, a beautiful family, gorgeous house, and a household income of £85,000+
But like I said - I've taken some valuable lessons from the book, so I'd still recommend it!
> Make time for yourself (super important)
> Its ok to say no to plans
> Nurture friendships
> Don't eat crap
If this is the kind of book you feel like you might benefit from - go ahead and purchase it! Some of the recipes are bomb. But take it with a pinch of salt that everything may not be applicable to you, but thats okay!
January 10, 2018
A hug in a book....simple, achievable steps to being kinder to yourself. I loved the layout of this book and I found it very calming to read. Even the recipes that are dotted throughout are simple and easy to do. Although the advice is nothing groundbreaking or new, it was nice to be reminded of the importance of self care. I will definitely be trying a lot of the tips, and I’m sure I will be constantly referring back to it!
February 23, 2018
Opening lines: ‘At the most basic level, self-care means the ability to get yourself fed, dressed and washed, and to generally function in the world.’
August 9, 2020
I'm not really the target market for Crystal Water and chia seeds, but hidden amongst the hipster nonsense is some sensible sound advice for if the world is feeling a bit too much.
June 2, 2019
Dvije zvjezdice kao - ok je, ništa spektakularno ali nije baš ni da sam totalno protratila vrijeme uzalud. Ima tu nekih korisnih savjeta koje planiram primijeniti, ali uglavnom se ponavlja puno toga iz svih ostalih aktuelnih self-help knjiga, pa ako ste ih već čitali ovo će biti "već viđeno".
March 28, 2025
I love this.
I don't normally like reading self-help books, but I realized that at this moment in my life right now, I needed these reminders and tips to care for myself.
I like the mix of advices: words, physical actions (a lot of yoga since Nadia is a yogi!), recipes (since Katia is a cook/chef!), reflections. And it wasn't preachy at all.
I love this. I needed this.
---
I don't normally like reading self-help books, but I realized that at this moment in my life right now, I needed these reminders and tips to care for myself.
I like the mix of advices: words, physical actions (a lot of yoga since Nadia is a yogi!), recipes (since Katia is a cook/chef!), reflections. And it wasn't preachy at all.
I love this. I needed this.
---
This is not the time to let things fall apart, even if you think you can't cope.
It's harder to get out of a relationship with your family, but the same friendship rules apply: if you wouldn't take it from a friend, don't take it from a family member either.
The big lesson I learned from all my travelling was that your unhappiness will follow you wherever you go, so you might as well be where people really love you, and face your issues and begin to deal with them.
- Katia
February 7, 2019
When I think of self-care I almost immediately find myself recoiling. It is so often associated with unrealistic practices or unattainable lifestyles / budgets that really turn me off. This book is the complete opposite. It really does what it says on the tin: a whole host of tips, recipes and tricks for how to look after yourself in the real world. Every single page felt achievable and that, is a really wonderful feeling.
February 26, 2019
The best thing about this book is it’s lovely design, to be honest. I did glean one or two things from its pages but to be honest I just didn’t find it helpful at all! I’m glad that other people are loving it though: if it’s working for them then that’s great.
February 16, 2018
We can never have too many books reminding us to be mindful and to look after ourselves. In the busy lives we lead, we often forget that self-care is important and just keep going, doing the never-ending rat race, day in, day out. I've been suffering a book hangover after my last read so it seemed timely to have a mooch through this book. *
I love that it has small, achievable steps on self-care as well as delicious recipes. Growing up meal times have always been a sacred, family time in our house. We always had dinner together in the evenings and always had a family lunch on weekends. It was the done thing and we relied on that time. I try to incorporate the same for my little family too, so me and the husband sit and eat together, talk about our day and catch up with each other. When we are not able to do this because of his work shifts, I miss it. I believe it's so important and brings people closer to together. *
Here's to all of us looking after ourselves that little bit more.
I love that it has small, achievable steps on self-care as well as delicious recipes. Growing up meal times have always been a sacred, family time in our house. We always had dinner together in the evenings and always had a family lunch on weekends. It was the done thing and we relied on that time. I try to incorporate the same for my little family too, so me and the husband sit and eat together, talk about our day and catch up with each other. When we are not able to do this because of his work shifts, I miss it. I believe it's so important and brings people closer to together. *
Here's to all of us looking after ourselves that little bit more.
April 12, 2018
Full of fantastic advice. Will be kept to hand to dip into for a long time.
July 8, 2018
There are lots of nice things in this and I think it would make a lovely gift. Some of it felt a bit obvious but guess sometimes you need people to tell you to go to bed early!!
February 8, 2019
3.5...The cover of the book is so beautiful!!! Half a star for tat...
February 18, 2020
Great book on all things self care related. Probably a book everyone should read . I might re-read it myself.
December 6, 2018
Some nice reminders in here and one thing I'd not heard of which was making crystal water to drink
February 1, 2020
Tão importante essa leitura. E tão deliciosa, adorei e com certeza me ajudou muito! Recomendo!
September 29, 2020
Yoga, meditatie, massage, moeilijke gerechten met bijenpollen en babyspinazie en essentiële oliën. Die afslag van self-care heb ik gemist en laat ik aan me voorbijgaan. Ik leef buiten de bubbel van deze twee dames en blij toe.
September 3, 2024
A lovely, comforting book with lovely recipes and words for all times of life.
April 25, 2023
Started out being a light book with useful suggestions and ended up being a stressful to-do list. Sigh.
January 28, 2018
It was a nice to read book, but a lot of the advices in the book is something that I have heard of before. Maybe this will suit a young adult, in her late teens, or early twenties, but not so much for someone in her 30s.
There are nice reminders, i.e. being off social media by a certain time, getting to bed before 11pm, and promotes good habits to cultivate, but there was nothing I've never heard of before.
I rated it 3 stars only because this book wasn't very useful to me, but it might be for someone else. The book cover is definitely very Instagramable.
There are nice reminders, i.e. being off social media by a certain time, getting to bed before 11pm, and promotes good habits to cultivate, but there was nothing I've never heard of before.
I rated it 3 stars only because this book wasn't very useful to me, but it might be for someone else. The book cover is definitely very Instagramable.
February 4, 2018
Sometimes appearances are everything when I buy a book and I will readily admit that I bought Self Care For The Real World because I liked the cover and the photography inside looked attractive. As for the contents, a lot of it is fairly common sense, some of it may be possibly thought a little woo woo and there’s some nice recipes (a big bonus), yoga and meditation exercises. There’s definitely one or two things that were new to me that I want to try and even with the fairly common sense, sensible stuff, it can be good to be reminded of it, every now and then. I think that this book, although a little ‘fluffy’, will be something that I refer back to, every now and then, if I need some self care ideas for something specific or if I fancy a nice, healthy recipe.
July 10, 2020
This book game me a virtual hug 🤗
January 24, 2019
There is some good common-sense advice in this book, some of which can be taken with a pinch of salt, some of which might be quite useful. I guess a lot of it depends on you and what you can achieve, which they acknowledge. Not sure what 'real world' they are living in with seemingly endless time and few other responsibilities which would pull them away from self-care. But it's well meaning and the book itself is a really nice size and weight to hold!
March 16, 2018
I did enjoy this book and the design is beautiful. However I felt it did not get below the surface of self care so a lot of advice felt “fluffy”. It’s a lovely book but I was ultimately disappointed.
December 20, 2018
This felt more like 100+ individual blog posts rather than a fluid book with substantive separate chapters. Nothing felt in-depth, and the random recipes didn't quite hit the spot for me. All in all it felt more instagrammable than helpful.
July 24, 2019
It had general good advice that was nice to be reminded of. The tone of the book was calming and positive. However it felt like the book was written for a narrow audience and I couldn’t relate to some of the advice.
January 23, 2018
A must read for everyone! This book is a wonderful breath of fresh air <3
March 19, 2018
Brilliant book.
It basically should be called ‘how to be a better person’
I’ve left this on the side and trying to use it as a life manual x
It basically should be called ‘how to be a better person’
I’ve left this on the side and trying to use it as a life manual x
January 9, 2019
Some nice ideas, and a few practical tips, but nothing ground-breaking.
May 22, 2020
Ich habe das Buch von einer Freundin geschenkt bekommen und ich muss sagen, dass ich den "wahren Wert" des Buches erst nach vielen Monaten erkannt habe.
Beim ersten Durchblättern bin ich auf einige Themen und Inhalte gestoßen, die mich echt zum Schmunzeln gebracht haben oder die in mir einen "Ja, na klar..." - oder "Wer's denn glaubt..." - Moment ausgelöst haben. Meine ersten Gedanken zum Buch waren eher negativ. Ich war der Auffassung, dass die Autorinnen zu "leichtgläubig" oder zu spirituell waren, aber nach einigen Monaten und nach wirklich intensivem (!) Lesen und Gedanken machen (!) hat sich mein Mindest Stück für Stück verändert.
Da ich mich selbst nun in einer Phase der Selbstfindung und Reorganisation befinde, konnte ich die Inhalte, die das Buch vermittelt (Love, Hope, Peace, Joy, Light), viel einfacher aufnehmen und auf mich beziehen. Das Buch ist wirklich nicht schwer zu lesen (auch wenn es auf English ist), die Inhalte sind einfach und gut verständlich aufbereitet. Die verschiedenen Abschnitte enthalten neben einer kurzen Einleitung auch praktische Tips zur sofortigen Anwendung, kleine persönliche Anekdoten der Autorinnen und neue Rezepte. Besonders gefielen mir die Rezepte, das mag aber auch daran liegen, dass ich neue Rezepte, Kochen und Backen allgemein total spannend finde.
Die absoluten Stärken des Buches liegen in der Alltagstauglichkeit, sodass wirklich fast jeder sich irgendwie darin wiederfindet. Der Titel "Self-care for the real world" ist daher sehr passend.
Für Menschen, die sich allgemein mit den Themen Achtsamkeit/Self-care beschäftigen, ist dieses Buch eine gute Ergänzung zur Basislektüre, weil es viele Themen, die andere Achtsamkeitsbücher auch beinhalten, anhand von Alltagsbeispielen aufgreift.
Für Menschen, die erst am Anfang ihrer "journey" stehen, würde ich dieses Buch nicht empfehlen, weil häufig das eigene Mindset noch zu starr und unflexibel ist. Für Personen, die allerdings ohnehin sehr offen sind, kann das Buch auch schon jetzt eine Bereicherung sein.
Mein Fazit lautet: Das Buch "Self-care for the real world" ist eine gute Lektüre, um sich mit dem Thema Achtsamkeit zu beschäftigt und eignet sich bedingt auch als Anfängerlektüre. Das Buch beinhaltet viele praktische Beispiele, die man auf sich beziehen kann und auch viele Tips, die man zur sofortigen Umsetzung anwenden kann. Ein Blick in das Buch lohnt sich alle Mal, auch wenn man die Inhalte nicht sofort versteht oder auf sich wirken lassen möchte. Auch ich habe mehrere Monate gebraucht, um den wirklichen Nutzen der Inhalte zu erkennen und auf meine eigene Situation projizieren zu können.
Beim ersten Durchblättern bin ich auf einige Themen und Inhalte gestoßen, die mich echt zum Schmunzeln gebracht haben oder die in mir einen "Ja, na klar..." - oder "Wer's denn glaubt..." - Moment ausgelöst haben. Meine ersten Gedanken zum Buch waren eher negativ. Ich war der Auffassung, dass die Autorinnen zu "leichtgläubig" oder zu spirituell waren, aber nach einigen Monaten und nach wirklich intensivem (!) Lesen und Gedanken machen (!) hat sich mein Mindest Stück für Stück verändert.
Da ich mich selbst nun in einer Phase der Selbstfindung und Reorganisation befinde, konnte ich die Inhalte, die das Buch vermittelt (Love, Hope, Peace, Joy, Light), viel einfacher aufnehmen und auf mich beziehen. Das Buch ist wirklich nicht schwer zu lesen (auch wenn es auf English ist), die Inhalte sind einfach und gut verständlich aufbereitet. Die verschiedenen Abschnitte enthalten neben einer kurzen Einleitung auch praktische Tips zur sofortigen Anwendung, kleine persönliche Anekdoten der Autorinnen und neue Rezepte. Besonders gefielen mir die Rezepte, das mag aber auch daran liegen, dass ich neue Rezepte, Kochen und Backen allgemein total spannend finde.
Die absoluten Stärken des Buches liegen in der Alltagstauglichkeit, sodass wirklich fast jeder sich irgendwie darin wiederfindet. Der Titel "Self-care for the real world" ist daher sehr passend.
Für Menschen, die sich allgemein mit den Themen Achtsamkeit/Self-care beschäftigen, ist dieses Buch eine gute Ergänzung zur Basislektüre, weil es viele Themen, die andere Achtsamkeitsbücher auch beinhalten, anhand von Alltagsbeispielen aufgreift.
Für Menschen, die erst am Anfang ihrer "journey" stehen, würde ich dieses Buch nicht empfehlen, weil häufig das eigene Mindset noch zu starr und unflexibel ist. Für Personen, die allerdings ohnehin sehr offen sind, kann das Buch auch schon jetzt eine Bereicherung sein.
Mein Fazit lautet: Das Buch "Self-care for the real world" ist eine gute Lektüre, um sich mit dem Thema Achtsamkeit zu beschäftigt und eignet sich bedingt auch als Anfängerlektüre. Das Buch beinhaltet viele praktische Beispiele, die man auf sich beziehen kann und auch viele Tips, die man zur sofortigen Umsetzung anwenden kann. Ein Blick in das Buch lohnt sich alle Mal, auch wenn man die Inhalte nicht sofort versteht oder auf sich wirken lassen möchte. Auch ich habe mehrere Monate gebraucht, um den wirklichen Nutzen der Inhalte zu erkennen und auf meine eigene Situation projizieren zu können.
November 28, 2019
SELF-CARE FOR THE REAL WORLD BY AUTHORS @nadianarain @katianarainphillips
This book is definitely a quick read and easy tips given to follow and make simple changes for much better results in life. They have even shared some amazing recipes in the book which could be helpful. As the book name self-care for the real world, the book really has real advice which even the authors practice but have even mentioned the reality of sometimes you can't follow some rules 100% but still do encourage to try and follow as much possible which is actually a real advice for today's time. They have even shared their some changes and experiences have helped them in what way, which may help a reader to understand and relate to the book content even more.
To conclude an easy, relaxed and good for self reflection book.
Definitely recommend this book to everyone, even to the people who have just started to get into the habit of reading or are just want to start and built the habit of reading.
Reading has many benefits and is an amazing habit to built.
This book is definitely a quick read and easy tips given to follow and make simple changes for much better results in life. They have even shared some amazing recipes in the book which could be helpful. As the book name self-care for the real world, the book really has real advice which even the authors practice but have even mentioned the reality of sometimes you can't follow some rules 100% but still do encourage to try and follow as much possible which is actually a real advice for today's time. They have even shared their some changes and experiences have helped them in what way, which may help a reader to understand and relate to the book content even more.
To conclude an easy, relaxed and good for self reflection book.
Definitely recommend this book to everyone, even to the people who have just started to get into the habit of reading or are just want to start and built the habit of reading.
Reading has many benefits and is an amazing habit to built.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews