Although self-help books have a bad reputation for being overly optimistic and even cheesy at times, they still help millions of people across the world. Heck, there’s a reason why the self-help industry brings in more than 11 billion dollars a year.

Now, the truth is, self-help books don’t really contain the so-called key to happiness.  However, they can help you rationalize your feelings and have a better understanding of what you’re going through.

According to  Marcia Norman, a clinical psychologist in Winter Park, Florida, reading one of these books when you’re feeling down can also help you understand you’re not alone. Knowing that millions of people are going through the same situation can be validating.

Top Self-Help Books for 2018

Whether you’re going through a breakup, divorce, or you simply have some confidence issues, the following self-help books will give you the advice you need to go through a rough period and allow you to feel like you’re not alone in this world:

•       The Self-Care Project: How to Let Go of Frazzle and Make Time for You

The author, Jayne Hardy lost most of her twenties to depression. She even felt so little self-worth that she couldn’t even get up in the morning. Today, she’s the CEO of The Blurt Foundation. Reading about her experiences can help you finally turn things around.

•       How to Be Who you are and Use What You’ve Got to Get What You Want

Sarah Knight, the self-proclaimed “anti-guru” has some genuine words of advice that can help you maximize your abilities and live up to your true potential. She’ll teach you how to ditch the concept of perfect and build your confidence from the ground up.

•       Boundaries: How to Draw the Line in Your Head, Heart, and Home

Jennie Miller, a relationship expert and Victoria Lambert, an award-winning reporter teamed-up for this book, in an effort to help the average people improve their daily lives. It strikes a chord with people of any age that need to reconsider where they draw the line at home, work and in their relationships.

Audiobooks vs. Print Books

If you feel like you don’t have enough time to sit down and read a book, you should definitely consider downloading an audio version of the book. Some people feel like this is “cheating” but  according to new scientific findings, to your brain, listening to a book is almost exactly the same as reading it. As a matter of fact, listeners and readers retain the same understanding of the pages they consume. Therefore, if you have to go to the supermarket, just download one of the books we talked-about above, and listen to it while you are grocery shopping. This way, you’ll kill two birds with one stone.

Final Thoughts

Of course, if you’re going through serious issues, you should definitely seek professional help. But in most cases, a good self-help book can lend a helping hand and help you get back on your feet. And whether you’re just seeking comfort or you want to get motivated, the books we listed above are surely a fantastic place to start. Another good source for the best self help books for women is Improved Mind where you can download hundreds of self help audios.