Be You, Only Better: Real-Life Self-Care for Young Adults (and Everyone Else)

by Kristi Hugstad, PhD Tami Tucker (Foreword by)

Overview

Along with all the perks of becoming an adult come challenges and the need to learn skills that help you self-regulate as you venture into new experiences. Highlighting five key areas of life — physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial — Be You, Only Better offers science- and experience-backed tools and easy-to-implement techniques for success. Skill-building and self-care practices — such as journaling, getting enough sleep and exercise, embracing nature, managing time and money, and practicing gratitude, mindfulness, and optimism — are presented, and each is illustrated with the story of a real young person. These practices will help you create a resilient foundation for your powerful future. You’ll discover a wonderfully accessible lifeline and a realistically inspiring guide to leading — and loving — your best possible life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608687381
Publisher:	New World Library
Publication date:	03/16/2021
Pages:	168
Sales rank:	119,869
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Kristi Hugstad, author of Beneath the Surface, is a certified grief recovery specialist, speaker, credentialed health educator, and grief and loss facilitator for recovering addicts. She frequently speaks at high schools and is the host of The Grief Girl podcast and talk radio show. She lives in Orange County, California.

www.thegriefgirl.com

Table of Contents

Foreword Tami Tucker, PhD ix

Preface xi

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Write It Down 9

Chapter 2 Get Good Sleep 21

Chapter 3 Get Up and Move 31

Movement Log 41

Chapter 4 Embrace Nature 43

Chapter 5 Cut Down on Sugar 51

Sugar Log 61

Chapter 6 Manage Your Time 63

Monthly Planner 73

Daily Planner 74

Chapter 7 Manage Your Money 75

Budget Worksheet 87

Chapter 8 Have Healthy Relationships 89

Chapter 9 Be Mindful 105

Chapter 10 Be Grateful 115

Chapter 11 Hope 125

Final Thoughts 135

Getting Help and Mental Health Resources 137

Resource Contact List Worksheet 141

Endnotes 143

About the Author 153

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Praise for Beneath the Surface by Kristi Hugstad

“An in-depth guide that can educate and empower teens in crisis. An important book that should be purchased for public and school library collections.”
— School Library Journal

“Beneath the Surface is a thoroughly ‘kid friendly’ and comprehensive guide that provides the information, encouragement, and tactical guidance you need to help yourself or others. . . . Exceptionally well written, organized and presented.”
— Midwest Book Review

“Beneath the Surface is critical to any parent, whether or not the parent realizes it. As a man who never took one psychology course, I appreciate that Kristi Hugstad wrote about a serious topic in a way that I could embrace and learn from. This book not only changed my life, it changed the life of my child.”
— Kevin Thaddeus Fisher-Paulson, columnist, San Francisco Chronicle

“Exploring everything from the addictive effects of excessive video gaming to the warning signs of alcohol and drug abuse, Kristi Hugstad leaves no stone unturned in her quest to raze the stigma of depression. She does so in a way that is effective, accessible, and highly informative. A must-read for anyone wanting permission to help themselves or a friend, this book reads as though it’s reaching out to grab you and hold you in your time of need.”
— Regina Louise, author of Somebody’s Someone

“Each year as a high school teacher, I see more and more students struggling with depression, anxiety, and overwhelming stress. Beneath the Surface is a powerful work that uncovers the growing epidemic of pressures facing adolescents today and offers the tools necessary to help students navigate these pressures directly. Kristi Hugstad’s writing eloquently and accessibly captures the depth of these issues through her own story as well as the stories of others. When you find yourself wondering what you can do, or you have a student who is struggling, here is a book that can help. It is a starting point for a conversation that just might save someone’s life.”
— William Meyer, author of Three Breaths and Begin

Editorial Reviews

06/01/2021

Gr 6 Up—Self-care is celebrated and explored in Hugstad's new book, which guides young people on a path of self-awareness and action toward healthy behaviors. With a mix of personal anecdotes, research, and accessible assignments, Hugstad shows teens how best to take care of oneself through physical, mental, social, emotional, and financial means. Every chapter is its own unique narrative—complete with stories of teens going through similar situations as well as checklists for completion, what the science says, sample logs and blank pages for writing, and fun facts along the way. This is a well-organized and well-researched book that gives a positive spin to all of these activities. From identifying healthy relationships to helpful tips for managing time and money, teens will find a relatable and approachable format that will encourage them to celebrate and work toward their best selves. VERDICT A great book for teens and adults that recognizes and acknowledges the power of self-care and the variety of ways it can be incorporated as a daily routine.—Traci Glass, Lincoln City Libraries, NE

School Library Journal

2021-02-05
This new self-help book by grief expert Hugstad focuses on guiding teens to be their best selves.

Stemming from the author’s firsthand experience in dealing with grief and mental illness and supported by her own research, this book follows a format that makes it approachable and accessible for teens to use independently or with the assistance of adults. With a holistic philosophy that emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, the book offers tips to help adolescents navigate the stresses of growing up by encouraging them to practice self-care. The consistent structure makes the book easy to dip in and out of as needed. Each chapter focuses on a single strategy or tool: journaling, sleep hygiene, physical fitness, the benefits of nature, nutrition, time management, budgeting, healthy relationships, mindfulness, gratitude, and hope. Chapters begin with a story about a teen or new adult who has overcome a problem related to the subject at hand, then covers the benefits of applying this practice or making improvements in this area, includes tips on establishing good habits, and concludes with scientific evidence and explanations. The title contains ample writing space, worksheets, planners, and other interactive tools. Hugstad emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help when needed.

A readable and practical mental health guide for teens. (resources, contact list worksheet, endnotes) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews