Whether we celebrate 2017 for its fruitfulness or because we’re happy that it’s over, one thing’s for sure: last year provided us with a reading list full of page-turners for the wellness junkie. From science-based anti-aging books to brand-new titles covering natural nutrition and good, old-fashioned coziness, writers filled thousands of pages with new and interesting approaches to health and wellness in 2017.

“The Teleomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer” by Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn and Dr. Elissa Epel

Perhaps one of the most influential books of the year, “The Teleomere Effect” combines cutting-edge research of a Nobel prize winner with the insight of a health psychologist to reveal biological indicators that can predict how people age.

Through its discussion of telomeres, the parts of chromosomes that influence how cells age and die, this book explains how daily habits influence cellular function and body aging. From sleep and exercise to chronic stress, these doctors take their own research, along with that of their peers, and share how to protect telomeres and reverse the signs of aging.

“The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living” by Meik Wiking

Pronounced hoo-ga, hygge is a Danish word that loosely translates as comfort, togetherness and wellbeing. Beyond this cozy feeling of a place like home, hygge is responsible for making the Danish people some of the happiest on Earth. And in “The Little Book of Hygge,” Meik Wiking introduces this concept in a manner that’s easy to understand and apply.

From being present in the moment to having an at-home spa day with your favorite ladies, Wiking explains how taking pleasure in simple things like cupcakes and natural face masks can lead to a happier and healthier life.

“The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People’s Lives Better, Too)” by Gretchen Rubin

Taking a new spin on health and wellness, happiness guru Gretchen Rubin looks at the four primary personality types and how they impact people’s lives, work, relationships and overall wellness. Through “The Four Tendencies,” readers determine if they’re an upholder, questioner, obliger or rebel and what that means when it comes to how they behave and interact with others. Through her innovative approach, Rubin helps people find out not only what works for them but why, and how they can use it to become happier and healthier.

 

“The Wellness Project: How I Learned to Do Right by My Body, Without Giving Up My Life” by Phoebe Lapine

There’s no doubt about it: To find health and wellness, one must fine balance, which is exactly what food blogger Phoebe Lapine was looking for when she set out to tackle her autoimmune disease head-on. Tired of the contradictions between what she read on her own and what she was told in her doctor’s office, Lapine committed herself to determining what really impacted how she felt.

Through “The Wellness Project,” she discusses the 12 directives that influenced her transformation, without causing her to give up her favorite indulgences. From swearing off sugar to using only natural skin care products, she shares her experience and her advice in this funny and informative book.

“The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in ‘Healthy’ Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain by Dr. Steven R. Gundry

In The Plant Paradox, cardiologist and heart surgeon Dr. Gundry delves into lectins, proteins created by plants to ward off predators, including humans. Most people relate lectins to grains, which is where the gut-wrenching gluten forms, but as Dr. Gundry points out, it’s not just grains that cause an inflammatory response in the gut. Lectin is also found on fruits, vegetables, nuts and more.

“Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food” by Catherine Shanahan, MD

In Deep Nutrition, Dr. Cate Shanahan takes the reader on a trip into the past, examining the diets of human ancestors from around the world. Through studying what people ate, Dr. Shanahan, who’s both a physician and a biochemist, determines the four common food habits that improve human vitality, including healthy children and active seniors, and explains them. By combining scientific research with her own experience, she relates how food directly impacts cellular growth and function, and she does it in a way that’s easy to understand.

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