Three Books for Your Summer Reading List

Summer has always been a great time to dive into a new book.  And why not combine a good read with learning more about health, wellness and productivity?  It's a win-win!  We've been adding to our reading list and wanted to share 3 books that have made a big impact for us.  

The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

The authors of this book have been training elite athletes and top business performers to balance stress and recovery for maximum productivity.  This book makes the case for managing energy levels as the ultimate way to acheive physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.  You will likely recognize yourself in some of the many illustrations.  I read the book in February, and so far, it's the most helpful book this year.  

Cooked:  A Natural History of Transformation by Michael Pollan

Maybe this book proves how geeky I am, but I loved it!  Pollan does a one-year experiment with common cooking techniques - grilling, braising, baking and fermenting.  He seeks out the best performers in each category and mentors with them, learning the technique over a period of months.  He associates these techniques with the four classical elements:  fire, water, air and earth.  Pollan argues that learning to cook could be the single most important step you can take in creating a healthier, more sustainable food system in society and in your own life.  (I agree with his premise.)  Cooking also brings us together.  A shared meal and experience of preparation is an activity that almost everyone can relate to.

Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge

If you still haven't read this book, now is the time!  I have been recommending it for the past 5 years and it's still at the top of the list.  Aging is tough, and understanding how to navigate physical, mental and emotional health during the aging process is critical.  This book is a combination of science (Lodge) and annecdotes (Crowley) that will make you laugh and challenge you to think differently about the last half of your life.  This is a book that I re-read every year, and I always learn something new and am challenged to continue to fight the good fight.

Whether you read these books or those of your own choosing, enjoy digging into something new this summer.  There's nothing like a good book to stimulate your thinking about your life.  Like the saying goes, "Leaders are readers."

Here's to finding the perfect summer read!

What's your favorite health & wellness book?  We would love for you to share.