4 Books to Help Your Relationship and Yourself

This post is for any book lover out there. I have written about books before, and I want to share more books that I use during counseling and why they're so great. Not only will this give you a tiny glimpse into the therapeutic process, but my hope is also that sharing these might be helpful to either you or a loved one.

Drum roll please...

And in no particular order... I give you...

The 4 books...

1. The Relationship Cure by Dr. John Gottman

The Relationship Cure is a 5 step guide to strengthening your marriage, family, and relationships. It was written by psychologist, Dr. John Gottman, who is the leading expert in knowledge about what makes relationships work. This book gives powerful information about successful communication strategies in a clear and effective way.

Inside, you'll find loads of useful tools along with achievable suggestions which you can implement into your life. There are exercises throughout the book which help you apply Gottman's strategies to your daily interactions.

This book is not intended only for couples. Many of the examples used include workplace situations and family dynamics. In other words, any adult should read it because we all have relationships with the people around us! Anyone can get something out of this book.

Perhaps for your next date night you could begin reading this book with your partner. To make things more exciting, create a 30 day challenge and see which of you can implement these strategies the fastest.

Not only will you see your relationship improve, but you will be accomplishing this in a fun, competitive way!

2. Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life is a life-changing book. I recommend it to many of my clients.

Though Boundaries is a Christian self-help book, I would recommend it to anyone regardless of their faith background or practices. There is just too much helpful information in there not to share!

Townsend and Cloud are therapists who help people learn how to say "No" without being perceived as someone who is not caring.

If you are someone who struggles with the idea of setting limits with others for fear of not being a loving person, this book is for you. If you've ever asked yourself if declining a particular request is selfish, this book is for you. If you're frustrated with some family members who don't appear to be mindful or respectful of your personal life, this book is for you.

Trust me... you'll be glad you read it.

3. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

You may have heard of Man's Search for Meaning. It is a widely popular and vastly respected book in which author and psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, reveals his actual experience of living and working in concentration camps between 1942 and 1945.

Frankl believes his experiences have taught him something about suffering and in particular, the power of how one responds to suffering. He argues that if we have meaning, if we have a purpose, we can endure even the most horrific suffering.

If you know anyone who is going through a difficult time in their life or if you've experienced any past difficulty, this book will offer hope. Frankl's artistic and poetic stories will help you to see your own life in a whole new light.

4. The Dance of Fear by Harriet Lerner

The Dance of Fear is also another life-changing book. Psychologist, Harriet Lerner believes that unhappiness is fueled by anxiety, fear, and shame.

She uses humorous and captivating stories to take her readers from living in fear to learning from it. In my opinion, the biggest strength to this book is it's relatability. The stories are things most people have experienced which makes it easy to connect her points.

Lerner's ability to draw lessons out of our everyday experiences are incredibly impactful. After reading, you will begin to notice moments of anxiety and be able to move through them with more confidence. You will learn how to rise above those fears and become a braver version of yourself!

I hope that you are able to take the time to read at least one of these books. They truly are worth the time. What books have you found helpful for your own relationships? Share in the comments!