by Anna Borges

Some days you need a pick-me-up, some days you need a life preserver.

“For most of us,” writes Anna Borges, “self-care is a wide spectrum of decisions and actions that soothe and fortify us against all the shit we deal with.” You may already practice some form of self-care, whether it’s taking an extra-long shower after a stressful day, splurging on a ~fancy~ dinner, or choosing Netflix over that friend-of-a-friend’s birthday party. But when life gets so overwhelming that you want to stay in bed, some more radical care is crucial to maintain your sanity.

The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care is here to help you exist in the world. Borges gathers over 200 tips, activities, and stories (from experts and everyday people alike) into an A-to-Z list—from asking for help and burning negative thoughts to the importance of touch and catching some Zzz’s. Make any day a little more OK with new skills in your self-care toolkit—and energy to show up for yourself.

★ 2019 Foreword INDIES Gold Winner

“How to Make ‘Self-Care’ Actually Feel Like Self-Care”—The New York Times

“[A] life-changing and essential new A-to-Z guide.”—HelloGiggles

“The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care is a tool for anyone feeling overwhelmed and looking for the tools and validation to intentionally take care of themselves.”—Nylon

“This self-help guide made me feel seen.”—Real Simple

 “A compendium [about] how to move through the world with a little more kindness for yourself.”—Bustle

“Sometimes it seems like ‘self-care’ is just more work. Luckily, Anna Borges wrote the ultimate manual to keeping your head on (and happy) in a chaotic world. Internalize Borges’ advice until self-care is second nature.”—Refinery29

“Relax. Taking care of yourself is not meant to be stressful. In The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care, writer Anna Borges acknowledges that the needs people have fall on a spectrum, and gives practical tips for implementing self-care in our busy lives.”—Allure

“We’re big fans of Anna’s book for recognizing the types of care you need in both the short and long-term. Does coloring sometimes make you feel better? Sure! But so can therapy, asking for help, seeing a friend, self-compassion, lounging, or getting organized. We love that [Anna’s] book makes room for it all.”—Girls Night In

“Give your Type A friend who runs herself ragged The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care, which provides personalized tips for increasing her day-to-day well-being.”—Los Angeles Times

“Borges affirms in her sensitive, fun, and practical book [that] it’s most important to make health and well-being a personal responsibility. . . . An engaging A-to-Z guidebook filled with options for creating a personal and versatile self-care toolkit that will last a lifetime.”—Foreword Reviews starred review

“[Anna’s] book is . . . what every college student needs right now.”—Her Campus

“As self-care has become a kernel in a larger wellness space warped by capitalism, [Anna Borges] combines real anecdotes from people who are figuring out how to take care of their mental health with advice from experts and more than 200 tips that readers can return to in their time of need.”—Bitch

“Borges’s welcoming tone and plethora of ideas will be helpful for readers whether they’re looking for ideas for being just a little bit happier or struggling with serious mental health concerns.”—Publishers Weekly

“Anna has written a truly comprehensive book for people who are trash at taking care of themselves.”—Lane Moore, bestselling author of How To Be Alone: If You Want To, and Even If You Don't

“A thoughtful and empathetic resource filled with kindness, knowledge, and actual specific information that will actually help.”—Jonny Sun, author and illustrator of Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too

“Anna Borges boasts a keen understanding of all the parts of ourselves we typically fail to nourish, and just what damage that can do over time. Whether you're desperate for an emotional overhaul or just looking for extra ways to boost your mood, there's something in this book for everyone. It’s bursting with specific, actionable solutions and sound advice.”—Andrea Bonior, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and “Baggage Check” mental health advice columnist

“Anna Borges has done more to promote health and wellness for the general public than any other contemporary writer I know. Weaving together scientific truths, personal experience, and regular people’s stories, Borges calls out the stigma and shame that prevents us from prioritizing our well-being. This is an often hilarious and occasionally heartbreaking guide for anyone feeling overwhelmed. As a therapist, I'll recommend this book to my clients to help them cope with stress and manage their emotions between sessions. It’s so entertaining and informative they (okay, I) won’t put it down.”—Ryan Howes, PhD, ABPP, clinical psychologist and writer for Psychology Today and Psychotherapy Networker Magazine