Best Books for Sheltering in Place

Right now, life is chaotic and uncertain. Schools are all online for the remainder of the year--if they haven't been canceled altogether. Seniors and their parents are grieving the abrupt end of high school and college experiences without the closure and celebration that's been envisioned for a lifetime. Those who are able to work from home are transitioning to home offices. And in the middle of it all, there are a lot of people who are unemployed or who risk losing their incomes. To say that the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is deeply affecting the way we live is an understatement.

Times are crazy. But over the next several weeks, we will settle into new routines. While those working in video conferencing, distance learning, or inbound marketing might be busier than ever, others will have considerably more downtime. We will learn to lean on each other, to support one another, and we will find new and creative ways to stay connected.

Over the next several weeks, look for blog posts and podcasts from me with tips for thriving in this unprecedented time.  We will all move through the mental process related to sheltering in place at different rates. You might not be ready for any post I share at the exact time I create it. That's okay. The information will be here when you are ready.

Today, I want to talk about BOOKS! When was the last time you picked up a book to read for pure enjoyment, without a grade or a test? Being stuck at home provides an opportunity to read for pleasure, to learn new skills, and to feed our brains. 

Here are a few books I recommend.

Message me or comment with your own suggestions, and I will be sure to add them. This will be an ongoing list. These books are in no particular order.

Mindset

The Year of No Nonsense: How to Get Over Yourself and On with Your Life by Meredith Atwood. Meredith, who many know as Swim Bike Mom, was on my podcast last year.  She helps us identify our own nonsense, break down excuses, and focus on the things that will make our lives better. Filled with humor, personal stories, and the kind of advice you'd get from that one BFF who tells it like it is, this book will help you make the most of the uncertainty we are all living with today.

Fitness

Finding Your Sweet Spot: How to Avoid RED-S (Relative Energy Deficit in Sport) by Optimizing Your Energy Balance by Rebecca McConville, MS, RD. This is a must-read for all athletes and parents of athletes. RED-S was previously called Female Athlete Triad, and we typically thought that it was limited to women and defined by losing their periods. We now know this is a problem that affects men and women, and the signs go beyond what is taking place with the menstrual cycle. Rebecca tells us how to optimize our energy balance, provides the signs to look out for, and gives solid advice for achieving balance. 

Couch to Active by Lyn Lyndbergh. Lyn cuts through the hype the fitness industry has filled our minds with and gives clear strategies to help people live an active lifestyle. If you're still sitting on the couch, you've tried grit and you know about willpower. You are well aware that those strategies have failed you. Couch to Active will take you down a new path that leads to a life you love and a healthy lifestyle you will want to stick with for life.

Business

The Middle Finger Project by Ash Ambrige. This book is sassy and will have you thinking in new ways about how to start a business, how to slay imposter syndrome, and how to get unstuck and out of your own head. You'll laugh. You'll be inspired. You'll feel empowered.

Don't Keep Your Day Job: How to Turn Your Passion into Your Career  by Cathy Heller. Cathy is the creator and host of the Don’t Keep Your Day Job podcast. If you are feeling scared and stuck, or wondering how you'll make ends meet now, and in the future, you'll get loads of ideas in this book. Packed with humor, inspiration, and tons of examples of how people turned a spark of an idea into a full-fledged business, this book will get your creative juices flowing. 

Improve Your Health and Learn Something New

Holistic Endurance Training: The Integrated Approach to Thriving as an Athlete by Kimberly Peek. Okay, so this one is mine. But this book is filled with the strategies I've used to thrive in challenging times. The book focuses on endurance training--and whether you've been training for years, or are just now coming off the couch, this book will provide valuable tips that will help you maximize your athletic potential. However, even if you don't currently consider yourself an athlete, the ideas in this book stand up in challenging times: move more, eat nutritious foods, connect with others, rest, sleep, and cultivate a positive mindset.

What books would you add to this list? Let me know and I will keep adding!

Be sure to check out my own book, Holistic Endurance Training, or my podcast, Power Up Your Performance, available wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have a copy of my book,  enter your information here so you can receive bonus materials. 

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may get a small commission if you purchase via the link. This does not increase the price you pay, but does give me a few cents to help with costs related to the website and podcast. Thank you!