Summer signals different things to different people.
- More daylight has the potential to boost serotonin and vitamin D, often lifting mood and energy.
- Warm weather encourages an increase in outdoor activity – walking, running, biking, swimming, gardening – which can feed both physical and mental health.
- Summer can represent freedom, possibility, and vitality, and it can remind us that life is rich and full; everything is in bloom, energy is at its peak, and it’s time to soak in experiences before the seasonal cycle turns toward rest in autumn.
Amidst all of the energy and fullness of summer, I still find time to indulge in one of my favorite hobbies…reading.
Top Four Books that Captured My Attention This Summer
Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind by Dr. Georgia Ede
This book offers an evidence-informed, food-centered approach to mental health. It will prompt you to question mainstream nutrition advice and experiment – with guidance – to discover dietary habits that foster better brain function and emotional stability. Dr. Ede emphasizes personalization; there is no one-size-fits-all approach to health and wellness. Continuous adjustments are part of the process.
Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve by Dr. Navaz Habib
This book highlights the impact of psychological and physical stressors – such as trauma and nutritional deficiencies – on vagus nerve function. It explains how the vagus nerve, part of the parasympathetic nervous system, plays a key role in regulating mood, digestion, inflammation, and overall resilience through the gut-brain axis and heart rate variability (HRV). I’ve been tracking my HRV for a while and will have more to share on this topic.
When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Dr. Gabor Maté
This book explores how unspoken emotional stress and repression can manifest as chronic illness and how emotional awareness, self-compassion, and connection are aspects of healing. Dr. Maté presents a framework to counteract chronic stress and promote recovery known as the Seven A’s of Healing. He emphasizes a holistic model where emotional, social, and biological factors are treated as inseparable rather than in isolation.
Getting Healthy in Toxic Times by Dr. Jenny Goodman
This book covers pervasive pollutants (synthetic chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, plastics, chlorine, fluoride) that burden the body’s detox systems and contribute to chronic diseases that were often rare before modern industrialization. Dr. Goodman shares actionable strategies to reduce toxin exposure and advocate for environmental healing. It is more than a health manual – it is a roadmap for thriving in a world that is overburdened by toxins.
None of these books is an easy beach read. Instead, each one is thought-provoking and can help inform next steps toward upleveling your health.
Happy reading!
