Burnout can sneak up on anyone, especially when working from home blurs the boundaries between work and personal life.
Here are ten insightful books that offer practical advice and strategies to help you prevent or handle burnout effectively.
1. “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
- What it’s about: This book delves into the science of stress and burnout with a special focus on women’s experiences. It offers practical advice on managing stress and preventing burnout in a relatable and empowering way.
- Perfect for: Women who feel overwhelmed and stressed out and are looking for evidence-based strategies to reclaim their well-being. However, anyone can benefit from its insights, regardless of gender.
- Might not be your thing if: You prefer a more anecdotal or less scientific approach.
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
This book by Emily and Amelia Nagoski offers a science-based plan specifically tailored for women to tackle burnout and stress. The book explains how the gap between societal expectations and reality for women leads to exhaustion and frustration. With practical advice, exercises, and insights from the latest research, the Nagoski sisters provide strategies to complete the biological stress cycle, manage emotions, and fight societal pressures like the “Bikini Industrial Complex.” This compassionate guide aims to help women return to a state of relaxation, connect with others, and find balance, ultimately empowering them to lead happier, healthier lives.
2. “Feel Good Productivity” by Ali Abdaal
- What it’s about: Written by a former doctor turned YouTuber and the world’s most-followed productivity expert, this book blends smart productivity tips with self-care strategies to help you get things done without burning out. Ali draws on decades of psychological research to show that the key to productivity isn’t discipline but joy. By making your work feel good, productivity takes care of itself.
- Perfect for: Anyone looking to achieve more without succumbing to the pressures of hustle culture.
- Might not be your thing if: You prefer traditional, discipline-focused productivity methods.
Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
by Ali Abdaal flips the script on traditional notions of productivity. Instead of emphasizing discipline and hard work, Abdaal, a leading productivity expert, argues that joy is the real key to getting things done. This Sunday Times bestseller reveals how making work enjoyable can naturally boost productivity. Through the book, Ali shares the three “energisers” that make work feel good, the three “blockers” to overcome procrastination, and the three “sustainers” to prevent burnout. With insights from top achievers like founders, Olympians, and Nobel laureates, plus actionable tips for immediate improvement, this book is a refreshing antidote to hustle culture, promising not just more accomplishment, but a happier journey.
3. “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown
- What it’s about: Brown focuses on developing resilience and courage, essential traits for leaders facing burnout.
- Perfect for: Leaders and managers feeling the strain of responsibility.
- Might not be your thing if: You’re not in a leadership role or looking for more general advice.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown is a must-read for anyone looking to prevent burnout and foster a healthier work environment. Brown argues that real leadership is about recognising and nurturing potential in others, embracing vulnerability, and sharing power, rather than hoarding it. With practical advice drawn from extensive research and real-life examples, she shows how cultivating empathy, connection, and courage can transform your workplace. By focusing on brave work and tough conversations, this book provides a roadmap to creating a supportive and resilient team, helping you and your colleagues avoid burnout and thrive together.
4. “The Joy of Missing Out” by Tanya Dalton
- What it’s about: Dalton helps readers find balance by focusing on what truly matters, reducing the risk of burnout from trying to do it all.
- Perfect for: Those who feel overwhelmed by their to-do list.
- Might not be your thing if: You prefer more intensive, action-oriented strategies.
The Joy of Missing Out: Live More by Doing Less by Tanya Dalton
A refreshing take on productivity and burnout prevention. Dalton, a CEO and productivity expert, flips the script on the idea that being busy means being successful. Instead, she teaches readers to focus on what truly matters, cut down their overwhelming to-do lists, and create personalised systems to simplify life. This approach not only reduces stress but also enhances fulfilment by aligning tasks with individual priorities. Packed with practical advice and resources, this book shows that doing less can actually lead to a more abundant and guilt-free life. Perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed, it’s a guide to living more intentionally and joyfully.
5. “How to Stay Human in a F*cked Up World” by Tim Desmond
- What it’s about: This book offers mindfulness techniques to cope with stress and maintain mental health.
- Perfect for: Anyone interested in mindfulness as a tool to combat burnout.
- Might not be your thing if: You’re looking for non-meditative strategies.
How to Stay Human in a F*cked-Up World: Mindfulness Practices for Real Life by Tim Desmond
This book offers a fresh and relatable approach to mindfulness amidst the chaos of modern life. Desmond, a Buddhist philosopher and student of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, moves beyond traditional meditation techniques to show how mindfulness can help us connect with and transform our own suffering. By embracing and understanding our pain, we can heal and grow, finding peace in the process. This book provides practical strategies and guidance for staying connected, joyful, and present, even when the world feels overwhelming. Perfect for those who have struggled with mindfulness before, Desmond’s approach is about engaging with the world, not retreating from it.
6. “The Happiness Trap” by Russ Harris
- What it’s about: Harris uses acceptance and commitment therapy to help readers handle stress and avoid burnout.
- Perfect for: Those interested in psychological approaches to managing stress.
- Might not be your thing if: You prefer quick fixes or more traditional self-help advice.
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living by Russ Harris
A must-read for anyone feeling stressed, anxious, or unfulfilled. This updated edition delves into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), offering practical tools and insights to help you break free from the psychological trap of chasing elusive happiness. Harris provides guidance on reducing stress, handling painful thoughts, breaking self-defeating habits, and building better relationships. Whether you’re dealing with low self-esteem, coping with loss, or facing high-stress situations, this book teaches you how to find true satisfaction and authentic happiness from within. Perfect for anyone looking to improve their mental well-being and live a more fulfilling life.
7. “Thrive” by Arianna Huffington
- What it’s about: Huffington advocates for redefining success beyond work achievements to include well-being and happiness.
- Perfect for: Anyone seeking a broader perspective on success and well-being.
- Might not be your thing if: You’re looking for more hands-on, actionable tips.
Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Happier Life by Arianna Huffington
This book by Arianna Huffington is a game-changer for anyone feeling burned out by the relentless pursuit of money and power. Co-founder of the Huffington Post, Huffington argues that true success requires a “Third Metric” beyond the traditional two-legged stool of financial and career achievements. Drawing from her own experiences and the latest research in psychology and physiology, she passionately advocates for incorporating well-being, wisdom, and giving into our lives. This personal and insightful book offers practical tips on meditation, mindfulness, and unplugging, making it essential for anyone looking to lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.
8. “First, We Make the Beast Beautiful” by Sarah Wilson
- What it’s about: Wilson’s personal journey with anxiety offers insights and strategies for managing constant tension, burnout, and the inability to relax and recharge.
- Perfect for: Those dealing with anxiety and looking for a personal perspective.
- Might not be your thing if: You prefer less personal, more research-focused books.
First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A new conversation about Anxiety by Sarah Wilson
This book by Sarah Wilson takes a fresh and personal look at anxiety and its link to burnout. Having lived with high anxiety, bipolar disorder, and OCD, Wilson grew tired of seeing anxiety as something to be medicated away. Instead, she spent seven years traveling the world, talking to experts like the Dalai Lama and Oprah’s life coach, to find a new perspective. The result is a book filled with practical advice and deep insights on how to turn anxiety into a source of strength, making it a must-read for anyone dealing with constant worries and burnout.
9. “Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less” by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
- What it’s about: Pang emphasizes the importance of rest and how it can enhance productivity and prevent burnout.
- Perfect for: Anyone who needs to learn the value of taking breaks.
- Might not be your thing if: You’re looking for more traditional productivity tips.
Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Pang
Alex Soojung-Kim Pang reveals the surprising power of rest in boosting productivity and creativity. He argues that in our overworked culture, we often neglect the crucial need to recharge properly. Packed with practical tips and backed by emerging neuroscience, the book shows how deliberate rest — like taking long walks, scheduling breaks for new activities, and establishing clear work-rest boundaries — can enhance your work and overall quality of life. By incorporating these strategies, you’ll not only improve your performance but also enjoy more time for hobbies, better sleep, and stronger relationships.
10. “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott
- What it’s about: Scott’s book on creating a healthy work environment through honest communication can help reduce stress and prevent burnout.
- Perfect for: Managers and team leaders who want to improve workplace dynamics.
- Might not be your thing if: You’re not in a position to influence workplace culture.
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
Kim Scott, a former leader at Google and Apple, offers a groundbreaking approach to effective leadership. This New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, translated into 20 languages, teaches that you don’t have to choose between being too harsh or too lenient. Scott’s philosophy is about caring personally while challenging directly, helping leaders create a culture of Compassionate Candor, build cohesive teams, and achieve results collaboratively. Embraced globally by leaders across various industries, this book provides vital strategies for soliciting and delivering feedback, ultimately fostering a more productive and positive work environment.
Enjoyed our recommendations? Don’t stop here! Check out this handpicked list of books on:
- How to improve your productivity
- How to avoid distractions
- How to manage your time
- How to boost your creativity
- How to maintain a work-life balance
- How to keep your mental health in check
- How to develop essential skills for WFH
- How to balance family and work responsibilities
- How to deal with loneliness when working remotely
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