Shortform Books

Gut Health and Mental Health: Are They Related?

What’s the relationship between gut health and mental health? Can poor gut health cause or worsen depression or anxiety? Ed Yong wrote I Contain Multitudes to raise awareness about the trillions of microbes that exist in our bodies and how they influence everything, including our mental health. Your gut health and mental health are closely connected—a lack of certain microbes can even lead to abnormal brain development, claims Yong. Read on to learn more about the relationship between gut health and mental health, according to Yong.

How to Find Your Identity With Values and a Purpose

Do you want to discover who you truly are? How do you find your identity? It can be hard to determine who we are, where we are, and what our purpose is. Luckily, Vishen Lakhiani’s book The Buddha and the Badass guides you through your self-discovery journey. Learn how to find your identity by staying true to your values and your purpose.

Why an Anti-Hustle Culture Is Essential for Business

What is anti-hustle culture? How is modern work ruining our drive to succeed? In The Buddha and the Badass, Vishen Lakhiani claims that hustling won’t get your business anywhere. In fact, he proposes an “anti-hustle culture” that combines spiritual enlightenment with disruptive leadership. Continue reading to learn more about Lakhiani’s anti-hustle culture.

Suffering Is Inevitable: Here’s Why You Should Embrace It

Is suffering inevitable? Does everyone experience suffering? If you ever feel alone when you’re having a tough day, just remember that someone else is also having a bad day. Because The Book of Joy by Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama clarifies that suffering is a universal experience that no one can avoid. Read on to learn why suffering is inevitable, and how you can cope with it.

Step-by-Step Problem-Solving: The 5 Steps to a Solution

What’s the 5W2H framework for identifying a problem? How can a logic tree help you find a solution? What should you do after you solve a problem? If you have a big question to answer or a decision to make, you have a problem to solve. Problem-solving is directed specifically at bridging a gap between your current state and a desired state—getting from here to there. Continue reading to learn a step-by-step problem-solving process from the book Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving.

The 6 Properties of Fungi Explained (Entangled Life)

What are the main properties of fungi? What makes fungi different from plants and animals? According to Merlin Sheldrake’s book Entangled Life, fungi are their own kingdom of organisms—they’re neither plants nor animals. Although the field of mycology (the study of fungi) is growing, Sheldrake argues that many aspects of fungal biology remain a mystery. Below we’ll look at what we’ve learned from only the six percent of all fungi species we’ve explored, particularly its properties.

The Power of Regret: Quotes to Help You Live Your Best Life

What are the best The Power of Regret quotes? How will these quotes inspire you to make better decisions? Most people have regrets but believe it’s best to “live with no regrets.” According to Daniel Pink, the author of The Power of Regret, regret is a normal, healthy part of life and you can even harness it to your advantage. Below we’ll cover the best quotes from The Power of Regret that you can learn valuable lessons from.

Common Marriage Problems and How to Solve Them

What are the most common marital problems? How do you address an ongoing problem in a marriage? While every marriage is unique, there are several problems almost all married couples have in common. Most of these problems are solvable, but many couples drag them on for too long, making them a bigger deal than they have to be. Here’s a look at some of the most common marriage problems and potential solutions for each.

3 Daily Habits to Improve Your Life & Mental Strength

Which key mental habits offer the biggest benefits? What daily habit can make you more confident? Damon Zahariades is a productivity expert and author of The Mental Toughness Handbook, which teaches you habits to improve your life, willpower, motivation, and inspiration. According to him, there are three key mental habits you should develop to improve your life. Read on to discover the three daily habits Zahariades suggests to improve your life.

How to Balance Gut Bacteria: 2 Ways to Protect Your Health

What do gut bacteria do? How are they associated with your overall health? In Super Human, Dave Asprey discusses how you can slow down your biological aging and live longer, and he explains how gut bacteria play a role. He suggests two methods for rebalancing gut bacteria: adding more fiber to your diet and reducing your exposure to antibacterial products and antibiotics. Learn the details of Asprey’s advice on how to balance gut bacteria.