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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.

PRAISE

“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

“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

“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

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