BESTbooks
Let’s face it—teaching is 90% heart, 10% caffeine, and 100% exhausting. Between the lesson plans, endless emails, staff meetings, and trying to remember where you put your copies, it’s easy to put yourself at the very bottom of the priority list.
This book list is here to change that.
Below, you’ll find 30 self care books sorted into categories that support the whole teacher—yes, even the one hiding snacks in their desk drawer and forgetting what day it is. While these books weren’t written specifically for educators, they’re packed with wisdom, perspective, and the kind of cozy little moments that might just save your sanity (or at least help you escape the Sunday scaries). From setting boundaries to rediscovering joy, this list will help you put yourself first!
Just so you know, we may get a small share of the sales made through affiliate links on this page.
Work-Life Balance and Boundaries
You can’t pour from an empty teacher mug. These self care books will help you set boundaries at work, so you can focus on what matters to you most!
1. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself
By Nedra Glover Tawwab
Clear, practical advice on boundaries—perfect for us teachers who are constantly giving to others. If you aren’t following Tawwab on Instagram, you should! It’s like having a free therapist!
2. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
By Emily Nagoski, PhD, & Amelia Nagoski, DMA
This one is for the ladies! The Nagoski sisters break down how women can manage their stress and avoid burnout.
3. I Didn’t Do the Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt
By Madeleine Dore
Feel like your to-do list is an ever-growing nightmare?! Dore will teach you how to avoid being overwhelmed by that list and to be okay with not completing every single little thing!
4. Everything is Figureoutable
By Marie Forleo
The author says this about the book: “It’s more than just a fun phrase to say. It’s a philosophy of relentless optimism. A mindset. A mantra. A conviction.”
5. Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less
By Tiffany Dufu
This is for the teachers who struggle to say “NO!” Dufu shows her readers that you can say “no” and still be successful in your career and life.
Personal Growth and Reflection
The person behind the teacher’s desk deserves a calm-down corner of their own. Check out these self care books that help you check in with yourself, find out what you need, and achieve great successes inside and outside the classroom.
6. Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones
By James Clear
Want to build better habits but feel like you fail every time because you just don’t stay consistent? Clear will teach you how to slowly form good habits by completing small, basic steps.
7. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
By Jen Sincero
This one is motivational and sassy—like a pep talk from a cool older sister. Sincero uses humor (and the occasional curse word) to help you reshape your mindset. (This is my FAV book on the list!)
8. The Gifts of Imperfection
By Brené Brown
Classic but timeless among self care books—this one provides encouragement to let go of perfection and be okay with “enough.” Use Brown’s 10 “guideposts” to help you live as your authentic self.
9. Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come: One Introvert’s Year of Saying Yes
By Jessica Pan
Follow Pan during her one year of living life like an extrovert and taking risks she never dreamt she’d do. From talking to strangers to performing stand-up comedy, Pan lives it up and discusses what she learned along the way.
10. 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think
By Brianna Weist
Weist’s essays act as quick reads for when you need some inspiration in your life. Bookmark your fave essays for when you need a little pick-me-up.
Creativity and Joy
Glitter isn’t just for the classroom. It’s time to add glitter to your personal life so you can sparkle!
11. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
By Elizabeth Gilbert
As we age, we sometimes put our creative hobbies on the back burner of life. But what if we put our creativity in the forefront of our minds? Big Magic is a love letter to creativity and reclaiming your joy.
12. Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You
By Ali Abdaal
If you want the science behind feel-good productivity, this is the one for you. The secret to productivity is NOT discipline…it’s joy.
13. Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big
By Will Packer
Dream big and go after those goals with Packer cheering you on along the way. Packer has been a mentor to several celebrities throughout his career, and now he is sharing his secrets to success with you!
14. Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness
By Vex King
King has lived through many hardships but maintains a positive outlook on life. He has written several books to help you achieve the same! His motto: When you learn to love yourself, you unlock your full potential. (Another great social media follow!)
15. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
By Marie Kondo
I had to put this title on this list since SO many people believe in the power of “tidying up.” Kondo will teach you how to declutter your life one step at a time so you can live an organized and less chaotic life.
Physical and Mental Health
I hate to be the one to tell you this, but caffeine isn’t a food group. Check out these titles that are about wellness but without the whole woowoo thing.
16. The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science
By Norman Doidge, MD
Want a more science-y approach to self-help? This is the one for you! Learn how powerful positive thinking really is from a neuroscientist.
17. The Let Them Theory: The Life-Changing Tool that Millions of People Can’t Stop Talking About
By Mel Robbins
Unless you’re living under your teacher desk, you’ve probably seen some sort of “let them” video online. This movement is all about deciding to stop giving power to others by repeating the phrase “let them.” This book will do wonders for those people-pleasers out there.
18. Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity
By Peter Attia and Bill Gifford
Dr. Attia will show you how to live a longer and happier life by giving you a roadmap for a healthier lifestyle. If you are set on living a long life and aging gracefully, these two men are here to teach you the way.
19. Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Heath
By Casey Means
Dr. Means breaks down how our health problems may all be rooted in how efficiently our metabolism works.
20. The Healing Self: A Revolutionary New Plan to Supercharge Your Immunity and Stay Well for Life
By Deepak Chopra & Rudolph Tanzi
This book will show you how to ensure you live a long and healthy life by outlining a 7-day plan action plan to take charge of your own life.
Mindfulness and Emotional Well-Being
Need help de-escalating your own self after de-escalating that one student? Yea, me too. That’s why this is probably my favorite category of self care books on the list! Remember – keep calm and teach on!
21. Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day
By Jay Shetty
Okay, but who doesn’t love Jay Shetty?! I feel like he is the world’s therapist right now! This book gives you modern wisdom for calming your mind and simplifying your life.
22. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
By Eckhart Tolle
This is a self-help CLASSIC! Learn the importance of and how to live in the NOW.
23. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
By Mark Manson
Manson is NOT about the power of positive thinking. Instead, he acknowledges that life can be crappy and writes about how to deal with it. Manson is against the “everybody deserves a trophy” culture that exists today. If that’s your vibe, this is your kind of wellness book!
24. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, & Our Lives Revealed
By Lori Gottlieb
Gottlieb shares stories of patients she has encountered as a therapist with humor and a lightheartedness that will make even the most reluctant person explore the idea of therapy.
25. Open When: A Companion for Life’s Twists and Turns
By Julie Smith
This book is something you can save for an “in case of an emergency” moment in your life. Smith shows you how to tackle mental health issues as they arise.
Self Care Journals
Okay, I know teachers LOVE us a cutesy journal! Why not pick up a journal that will help you live a fuller, happier life? Here are some of my favorite journals that will help you get through tough times and hone in on what really matters to me most.
26. Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving the Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life
By Monica Sweeny
Y’all, I LOVE these journals (there are 6 total!)! This journal comes with VERY short little activities to get you out of a funk. Each page comes with pretty art and funny (yet motivating) quotes.
27. Self Care for Black Women: 150 Ways to Radically Accept & Prioritize Your Mind, Body, & Soul
By Oludara Adeeyo
Adeeyo gives Black women space to revitalize their outlook on life by providing 150 quick exercises to complete as needed. Whether you need a quick pick-me-up during the day or time to work through feelings of burnout, this book has what you need for more peace in your life.
28. Self-Love Workbook for Women: Release Self-Doubt, Build Self-Compassion, and Embrace Who You Are
By Megan Logan
I’m currently using this journal to remind myself of my greatness and to truly fall in love with myself. If you have been doubting yourself lately or feel like you are losing your passion, check this one out!
29. The Five Minute Journal: A Daily Gratitude Journal
By Intelligent Change
The thing I love about this gratitude journal is how quick and easy it is to stay consistent. You only have to spend 2-3 minutes in the AM and 2-3 minutes in the PM to log your day! It makes it easy to highlight how you want your day to go and to reflect on how it went.
30. Wreck This Journal
By Keri Smith
If you are an artsy fartsy teacher, you might like how creative Smith is with her journal prompts! What’s cool about Wreck This Journal is Smith has ones for adults, children, boys, and girls. You could buy one for each member of the family!
Being a teacher is hard on our bodies and minds. Rejuvenate your energy, passion, and confidence with one of these great self care books!
