Top 22 Best Audiobooks Focused on Mental Health and Self-improvement

With the huge selection of audiobooks on self-improvement, it can be a difficulty finding the best audiobooks focused on mental health that are highly recommended. Below is a list of the most popular and effective books for psychological betterment.

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
A foundational self-help book that outlines seven key principles for personal and professional effectiveness. The habits are designed to foster personal growth, enhance interpersonal relationships, and encourage proactive behavior, emphasizing the importance of character and integrity over superficial personality traits. Since its publication in 1989, the book has inspired millions, providing a timeless framework for achieving meaningful change and success in various aspects of life.
A classic guide to personal and professional effectiveness, narrated by the author himself.

2. Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop
This straightforward self-help audiobook offers a no-nonsense approach to overcoming self-imposed limitations. Narrated by the author himself, it provides tools and advice to combat negative self-talk and self-sabotaging behaviors. The audiobook encourages listeners to take responsibility for their lives and offers seven powerful assertions to help them move past obstacles and thrive.

3. Take Control of Your Life: How to Silence Fear and Win the Mental Game by Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins' book, Take Control of Your Life: How to Silence Fear and Win the Mental Game, offers readers practical strategies to overcome fear and self-doubt, empowering them to take decisive action in their lives. Through personal anecdotes and research-backed insights, Robbins introduces the concept of the "5-second rule," a technique designed to help individuals act on their impulses before hesitation sets in, thereby breaking the cycle of procrastination. The book serves as a motivational guide, encouraging readers to harness their inner strength and transform their mindset for greater success and fulfillment.

4. Let That Sh*t Go: Find Peace of Mind and Happiness in Your Everyday by Nina Purewal and Kate Petriw. A refreshing perspective on finding peace and happiness amidst the chaos of everyday life. The audiobook addresses common stressors, such as overwhelming to-do lists and financial worries, offering practical strategies to help listeners release negativity and cultivate mindfulness. Through relatable anecdotes and actionable advice, the authors empower listeners to prioritize their mental well-being and embrace a more balanced lifestyle.

A quote from "Let That Shit Go" by Bruna Nessif emphasizes the importance of releasing negativity: "Unquestionably, letting go of all the shit that life throws at you is not a piece of cake, but it is important to let go in order to live in the moment."

5. Healing Your Emotional Self: A Powerful Program to Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem by Beverly Engel
Focuses on overcoming shame and building self-worth through effective therapy techniques.
The book introduces the concept of Mirror Therapy, which helps readers reject distorted self-images formed during childhood. Engel provides practical tools and exercises to quiet one's inner critic and develop a healthier sense of self-worth. A key quote from the book is: "Compassion is the essence of self-esteem. When you have compassion for yourself, you understand and accept yourself the way you are"

6. The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest.
Explores the concept of self-sabotage and provides actionable steps for personal growth.
"The Mountain Is You" by Brianna Wiest is a transformative book that explores the concept of self-sabotage and offers strategies to overcome it. The author uses the metaphor of a mountain to represent the internal obstacles we face in our journey of personal growth and self-improvement. Through practical insights and thoughtful analysis, Wiest guides readers to confront their fears, embrace change, and cultivate self-mastery. A key quote from the book that encapsulates its message is: "Your mountain is not the block between you and the life you want to live. Facing it is also the only path to your freedom and becoming."

7. Anxiety Rx: A Revolutionary New Prescription for Anxiety Relief by Dr. Russell Kennedy offers a unique perspective on treating anxiety by focusing on the body rather than just the mind. The book proposes that anxiety originates from physical sensations and stored trauma in the body, rather than solely from thoughts in the brain. Dr. Kennedy shares his personal experiences with anxiety and presents techniques to help readers calm their bodies and disconnect physical alarm signals from anxious thoughts.

A key quote from the book is: "Anxiety starts in the body, where trauma is stored and physical and emotional perception begin."

8. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
This audiobook challenges the conventional wisdom of positive thinking and offers a refreshingly honest perspective on life. It encourages listeners to embrace life's challenges and focus on what truly matters. The audiobook provides a counterintuitive approach to living a good life by accepting limitations and learning to cope with adversity.

A notable quote from the book encapsulates its essence:“You and everyone you know are going to be dead soon. And in the short amount of time between here and there, you have a limited amount of fucks to give. Very few, in fact. And if you go around giving a fuck about everything and everyone without conscious thought or choice—well, then you’re going to get f*cked”

9. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Offers a comprehensive framework for habit formation and personal improvement.
James Clear's "Atomic Habits" emphasizes the power of small, incremental changes in shaping our lives and behaviors. The book argues that focusing on systems rather than goals is key to long-term success and personal transformation. Clear provides practical strategies for building good habits and breaking bad ones, highlighting the compounding effect of consistent, tiny improvements over time.A relevant quote from the book is:"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."This quote encapsulates Clear's philosophy that sustainable change comes from developing robust systems and processes rather than simply setting ambitious goals.

10. How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t: 14 Habits That Are Holding You Back from Happiness by Andrea Owen
Provides insights into common habits that hinder happiness and how to overcome them.
"How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t" by Andrea Owen offers a no-nonsense approach to addressing common self-destructive behaviors that hold women back from happiness. The book focuses on 14 specific habits, including perfectionism, people-pleasing, and catastrophizing, providing practical advice for overcoming each one. Owen combines personal anecdotes with actionable strategies, encouraging readers to confront their negative patterns and develop healthier mindsets. A key quote from the book that captures its essence is: "You're a f*cking miracle of being." This statement reflects Owen's direct style and her emphasis on recognizing one's inherent worth as a starting point for personal growth.

11. The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté and his son Daniel Maté. The authors argue that what we consider "normal" in our culture is often detrimental to our well-being, contributing to chronic illnesses and mental health issues.

The book explores how trauma, stress, and the pressures of modern living impact our bodies and minds, often in ways that Western medicine fails to address. Maté proposes that many health problems are rooted in childhood experiences and societal factors, rather than just genetics or individual choices. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical health, emotional well-being, and social environment, advocating for a more holistic approach to healing.

Through personal anecdotes, clinical experiences, and research findings, the book offers insights into the nature of trauma, addiction, and chronic illness. It also provides guidance on cultivating authenticity, agency, and self-acceptance as pathways to healing, both on individual and societal levels.

One significant quote from "The Myth of Normal" by Gabor Maté is

"Trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside you"
This idea encapsulates a key idea in Maté's book - that trauma is not defined by external events themselves, but rather by how those events impact a person internally. It shifts the focus from specific incidents to the lasting psychological and physiological effects within an individual.

12. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown.

A thought-provoking exploration of vulnerability and its role in personal growth and relationships. Brown argues that embracing vulnerability, rather than shying away from it, is key to living a more authentic and fulfilling life. The book offers insights backed by Brown's research, providing readers with strategies to cultivate courage and resilience in various aspects of life, including parenting, leadership, and personal relationships.

A notable quote from the book is: "Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome"

13. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero.
An engaging self-help book that combines humor with practical advice to empower readers to overcome self-doubt and take charge of their lives. Sincero's candid anecdotes and straightforward exercises encourage readers to identify and dismantle self-sabotaging beliefs, fostering a mindset geared toward success and self-love. While some may find the spiritual elements a bit excessive, the book remains a motivating read for those looking to make meaningful changes in their lives.

A notable quote from the book is: *“And while there are countless ways that we rip ourselves off, there’s one way in particular that is, without a doubt, the most rampant and the most devastating of all: we invest everything we’ve got in believing that we’re not good enough.”

14. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown. Her book emphasizes the importance of embracing our flaws and vulnerabilities as essential components of living authentically. She encourages readers to cultivate self-compassion and recognize that true worthiness is inherent, regardless of imperfections. Brown asserts that "fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are."

15. How to Stop People-Pleasing** by Wind Goodfriend.

Dr. Wind Goodfriend's book, How to Stop People-Pleasing, explores the psychological drivers behind the tendency to prioritize others' needs over one's own well-being. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and setting healthy boundaries to reclaim personal agency. Goodfriend encourages readers to reflect on their motivations and desires, fostering a deeper understanding of their true selves.A notable quote from the book is: "The first step in breaking free from people-pleasing is recognizing that your worth is not determined by others' approval."

16. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Explores creativity as a fundamental aspect of life, encouraging listeners to embrace their artistic side. "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" is a profound exploration of creativity as a fundamental aspect of human existence, rather than just a skill for artists. The book offers 78 philosophical musings on the nature of art and creativity, emphasizing that living as an artist is a practice that extends beyond traditional artistic pursuits. Rubin's insights encourage readers to embrace their unique perspectives, break conventional rules, and view creativity as an essential part of a fulfilling life, making this book valuable for anyone seeking to cultivate their creative potential.
A significant quote from "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin is: "All that matters is that you are making something you love, to the best of your ability, here and now."

Click here for an audibook subscription.

17. Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering.
Joseph Nguyen's *Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering* explores the profound impact of thought on human suffering. The book posits that our thoughts are the root cause of all psychological and emotional distress, suggesting that by altering our relationship with these thoughts, we can transform our experiences and emotions. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing that everything is neutral until we assign meaning to it through our perceptions.
A notable quote from the book is:
"The root cause of our suffering is our own thinking."

18. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
by Bessel van der Kolk M.D., Sean Pratt, et al.
This book explores the profound impact of trauma on the mind, brain, and body and how trauma is not just a past event, but an ongoing imprint that affects how individuals manage their present experiences. Van der Kolk highlights the importance of addressing trauma through a holistic approach that involves both the mind and body.

"Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort. Their bodies are constantly bombarded by visceral warning signs, and, in an attempt to control these processes, they often become expert at ignoring their gut feelings and in numbing awareness of what is played out inside. They learn to hide from their selves."

19. The Hidden Power of the Five Hearts by Kimberly Snyder
Explores emotional well-being through the lens of heart-brain communication.

In 'The Hidden Power of the Five Hearts' Kimberly Snyder explores the profound intelligence of the heart, emphasizing its role beyond mere emotional significance. The book presents five stages of heart awakening, guiding readers to harness their heart's power for improved health and emotional balance. Snyder combines ancient wisdom with modern science to illustrate how heart-brain communication can lead to a more fulfilling life.

A notable quote emphasizes the transformative potential of the heart:"Your heart—your beautiful pumping, thumping, thinking (yes, thinking) smart-as-a-whip heart—contains within it a secret intelligence that, once accessed, has the power to transform every aspect of your life in a relatively short amount of time"

20. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Discusses the rise of anxiety in modern society and offers coping strategies.

Viktor E. Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning' reveals the profound quest for purpose amid suffering, particularly through his experiences in Nazi concentration camps. He emphasizes that meaning can be found in three avenues: through work, love, and suffering, suggesting that even in the most dire circumstances, individuals can find significance in their struggles. Frankl asserts that "everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances".

21. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

In "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," Carol S. Dweck explores the transformative power of adopting a growth mindset, emphasizing that one's abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. She contrasts this with a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their qualities are static and unchangeable, leading to a fear of failure and avoidance of challenges. Dweck asserts that embracing challenges and viewing effort as a pathway to mastery fosters resilience and a love for learning.
"The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset."

22. The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life by Robin Sharma

Robin Sharma's *The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life* emphasizes the transformative power of waking up early. The book presents a narrative in which a billionaire mentors two struggling individuals, teaching them that the first hour of the day is crucial for personal growth and productivity. Through a structured morning routine, Sharma argues that individuals can unlock their potential and achieve extraordinary results.