The 5 Best Self-Help Books To Read If You're A Busy And Burnt-Out Mom

Ah, motherhood. A job where you are bound to experience the beautiful and tender alongside the chaotic and jaw-dropping — all within a 24-hour period. Raising little humans is a large feat, and, as any seasoned mother will tell you, it doesn't really slow down. Juggling housework, school pick-up, potty training, meals, the kids' emotional breakdowns (or our own) is a lot. And, somehow, we still seem to find the energy to get up and do it all again the next day.

We've all been told that self-care is crucial. You can't pour from an empty cup, after all. But, sometimes, reading self-help books just feels like another item on the to-do list. However, everyone will benefit from Mom taking some time for herself. 

If you're lost in the throes of full-time mom-ing and don't even quite remember how to practice self-care (we've all been there), start with this list of self-help books for the burnt-out mother who deserves a recharge.

In this New York Times best-selling memoir written by therapist Lori Gottlieb, we come to understand that we aren't alone in the dark depths of our problems and that others are experiencing similar pain — though we wouldn't know that as these issues tend to be kept quiet. This isn't a phenomenon limited to motherhood, as we see in "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed," but most mothers could surely use the reminder that raising children takes a village and, sometimes, professional help.

A consistent source of stress for most mothers is clutter. Piles tend to pop up out of thin air, and toys you have no recollection of buying are blocking the basket of laundry you need to move aside — or, we mean, fold. In Marie Kondo's international best-seller, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing," she shows us that an organized home leads to a much more enjoyable life for mothers and children alike. If the prospect of organizing the entire house makes you want to quit before you even begin, you can take it slow, just one drawer at a time, advises the organizing guru.

The dark reality of life after giving birth has long been hidden from public sight, but, in recent years, there has been more of a conversation about the postpartum stretch and feelings of depression and anxiety that might arise. Mothers need to know that they aren't alone during this emotionally charged time and that there is help. "Postpartum Depression & Anxiety: A Self-Help Guide for Mothers" by the Pacific Post Partum Support Society features firsthand accounts of women who experienced postpartum depression, provides tools for coping and healing, and recommends support resources.

The importance of journaling to process our feelings and thoughts has been at the forefront of the mental health conversation for a while now — and rightfully so. It's a great way to clear out the mental clutter, understand our inner landscape, and set goals. In "Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice" by former first lady Michelle Obama, mothers will learn how to tap into their innermost thoughts and provide structure through writing. Inspirational quotes and messages also fill these pages because, sometimes, a few words of wisdom can make all the difference.

Another great nonfiction book to read is "Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know" by Malcolm Gladwell. The No. 1 national best-seller is all about communication and how to do it effectively, which can really make or break a busy morning when you're rushing the kids out the door. All humans could use a reminder of how to communicate clearly and compassionately. Gladwell reveals that a lot of tragic historical could have been prevented by better communication. So, in the smaller setting of the home, it makes perfect sense that countless conflicts could be avoided by learning some new communication skills.