How to Feel Better: A Guide to Navigating the Ebb and Flow of Life

by Cathy Rentzenbrink

'A tender appreciation of life’s beauty' Matt Haig, The Guardian

In How to Feel Better , bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink shares the advice that has seen her through life's ups and downs. From her etiquette for bad news to the words of wisdom she would like to pass onto her son, How to Feel Better is full of warm, gentle guidance and comfort for when you need it most.

Previously published as A Manual for Heartache , this revised edition contains a new introduction from Cathy and an inspiring addendum of advice from other authors on what they do to feel better, whatever the world throws their way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Self Help

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2023

About the author

Cathy Rentzenbrink grew up in Yorkshire and now lives in London. A former Waterstones bookseller, she is now Project Director of the charity Quick Reads and Associate Editor of The Bookseller magazine.

Reviews

[yayan]

I got mixed of emotions with this one, its like a roller costars of, “ um?” “ ok?” “Seriously “ “ ohhh “ “ i see Ve to say this one of the most a bit of heartwarming words.

The first thing i kinda dont like where i notice the “ what not to say” and there goes one of the point “ god would not give you more than you can handle “ this is like most important things that most people need to remember,

coming from Islam this is what the quran tells us. They teach us that Allah would not give you more than you can handle.
Totally disagree why is it “ what not to say “ part.

And theres something that i really like too, “ we spend so much time anticipating a new horror that we destroy the present “ yes i love this so much. This happens so many times. A lot actually. Just by reminding myself this. I can actually back to the reality and try to enjoy myself as much as i could without worrying what other people are thinking.

And then theres some like at the back where the author as a different author how to feel better. I personally found this mid. Because all the answers are probably the same thing. Go outside. Reconnecting with nature smh . Move. Swim. Run. Like okay yeah i get it one is enough. This got on like repeatedly.

[Lottie]

We don't need to be unbroken. Our first step is to simply stop trying to hide our scars.

I had to read one more Rentzenbrink book before attending her event later today - I'm embarrassed to say that up until yesterday I had only read her fiction, and it was reading her new non-fiction, The Christie Cure that pushed me to finally pick up How to Feel Better, which has sat unread by me for almost two years!

Rentzenbrink's non-fiction is such a pleasure to read; her narration is conversational and introspective, like talking to a friend that has it all together - but Rentzenbrink will be the first to tell you that she doesn't!

Dismantling the shame around grief, depression, and trying to cope with the horrors of the world, How To Feel Better guards the gates of a genre of self-help that isn't to be sniffed at.

The second anniversary of my grandmother's death is in two days. I needed this.

[emily cranick]

a good ‘feel good’ mental health book. had a few good quotes i liked. felt more like a memoirs than a self help book & talked a lot about grief & how the author lost her brother but i still appreciated it!!

[Jane Gregg]

Pretty nice Cathy R essays

[Eunice]

3.75

[Kim Becker (MIDDLE of the Book MARCH)]

DNF @ 20%.

[Rix]

Idk was there anything here that you can't get anywhere else?

[Gisela Olsson]

Remember to re-read!

[Tiranth]

A very personal story beautifully written

[D]

More than anything else, this book read like a memoir on grief and acceptance.

[Jemima Lacey]

this is a hug in a book, it felt like having the warmest friend

[Sheila]

“Almost everyone is struggling, whether they know it or not, with how to cope with their back story.”

[Febe'S Mening]

4.5*

Audioboek op Storytel.

Ik voel mij inderdaad beter!

[Jordan Oppert]

Didn’t have anything I didn’t know/haven’t previously read.. and was just a bit ho-hum really.

[Apollos Michio]

“Wouldn’t it be good if we could think of our mental health as we do our physical health? Treat ourselves as we would if we had gout or hay fever?” ❤️‍🩹

I’ve previously read Cathy Rentzenbrink’s Dear Reader, and so was intrigued to pick this book up when I saw it on the New Arrivals shelf at the library@orchard! 📚

How to Feel Better is a soothing book in which Rentzenbrink shares about the loss of her brother, the grief that followed, and how she overcame it—or at least, got out of negative thought spirals—to continue living her life to the fullest. It reminds me of Matt Haig’s Reasons to Stay Alive. 💔

With essays that discuss about ways to feel better, such as one which opportunely touches on mental health, this book is like a balm that is suitable as a gift for those going through tough times of loss. Even if the ideas are not too insightful, Rentzenbrink’s honesty shines to make this a rather affecting reading experience. 💝

3.75/5

P.S. The Inspiring Addendum chapter included in this version of the book contains practical advice from many writers which I believe readers will find helpful as well!

[Samantha Reynolds-Dunn]

Good reminders and ideas of how to do small things to make you feel better long term