We couldn’t be more excited for The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care, set to publish tomorrow, November 1! Hailed as a “sensitive, fun, and practical book” (Foreword Reviews), The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care is here to help readers exist in the world, whether they want to be just a little bit happier, or they’re struggling with serious mental health concerns.
And how does author Anna Borges achieve this? By gathering over 200 tips, quotes, resources, exercises, and stories—from experts and everyday people alike—into a comprehensive A-to-Z list! Learn more about all the book has to offer below.
The tips
Borges dives into a comprehensive view of self-care, offering advice on a number of topics: asking for help, forgiveness, journaling, saying no, going to therapy, achieving work–life balance, and so much more. So many of the tips are informed by Borges’s personal exploration of self-care, as well as her experience as a writer at BuzzFeed, Women’s Health, and SELF, where she’s a senior health editor. As the ideas of self-care and showing up for yourself become increasingly recognized and understood as important in today’s world, Borges leaves no self-care stone unturned.
The quotes
Sprinkled throughout the book are inspirational quotes that drive home not only what self-care means, but underline the specific A-to-Z lessons on each page. Our favorite? “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”—Audre Lorde
The resources
Borges not only covers what exactly self-care is (hint: everything that helps you nourish your body, mind, relationships, and spirit), but also provides a straightforward “Therapy FAQs” section to help you figure out how to find a therapist, determine if your therapist is a good fit for you, and get the most out of therapy. Plus, the book offers a long list of mental health resources, as well as a section of further reading to help you continue your self-care journey.
The exercises
The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care doesn’t just offer up advice, but also provides actionable exercises to help you feel better. One such exercise is decatastrophizing—learning to talk yourself down from a worst-case scenario when it pops into your head, by asking “and then what?”. As you walk yourself through the scenario, this method should help you de-escalate your fears and realize that no matter what, the situation you’re facing will mostly turn out OK.
The stories
Because self-care looks so different to everyone, Borges has scattered anecdotes (both from everyday people and experts alike) throughout the book to put caring for yourself into perspective. These stories emphasize just how self-care can vary from person to person, and offer up a window into all the intimate ways we take care of ourselves.
And, if that isn’t enough to get you ready for the book’s release tomorrow, we’re excited to announce that Anna Borges has some events coming up. See below for details on Anna’s upcoming self-care workshop, intersectional panel event, and Q&A:
- The Astoria Bookshop (NYC), November 6, 2019, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | A Self-Care Workshop and Q&A with Anna Borges
- Strand Book Store (NYC), November 8, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM | A Panel on Intersectional Self-Care hosted by Anna Borges, featuring Lane Moore (bestselling author of How to Be Alone), Jeffrey Marsh (author of How to Be You), and popular podcast host Tracy Clayton
- Powell’s City of Books (Portland, OR), January 3, 2020, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM | Q&A and Signing with Anna Borges
The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care is available tomorrow wherever books are sold. Be sure to pick up your copy, and don’t forget to see Anna Borges at her upcoming self-care events!
