Self-Nurture: Learning to Care for Yourself As Effectively As You Care for Everyone Else

One of the greatest challenges women face is learning how to nurture themselves. The tendency, of course, is for women to put themselves last on the list--taking care of everyone and everything else before they tend to their own emotional, physical, or spiritual needs, according to author Alice D. Domar, Ph.D. Yet, ironically, when women put themselves last on the list, they find themselves stressed out, depleted of energy, and unable to give their family members or jobs the full attention they need. As the director of the Mind/Body Center for Women's Health at Harvard Medical School, Domar has developed a comprehensive, year-long program to help women learn the crucial art of self-nurturing.

The book is divided into a year of seasonal themes, starting with winter, which represents a time of "primal self-care." Domar offers specific meditation and relaxation exercises as well as essays that help women contemplate their role in the family. In springtime, Domar emphasizes physical strengthening and healing through exercises, yoga, and creating a more positive body image. Ultimately, Domar leads women into a discussion of spiritual strengthening--how to bring the soul into the workplace, and why it's essential that women commit to a connection with God or one's unique spirituality. Fortunately, Domar has been teaching this path for years, which means her advice is tried and tested (she's somewhat famous for treating stress-reduction techniques to chronically infertile women and helping the vast majority to conceive). Her approach is inviting, funny, and (best of all) practical for women of all walks of life. --Gail Hudson