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

Kristi Hugstad offers a balanced yet thorough, whole-person approach to self-care, equipping you with the necessary tools to maintain healthy living. If you are looking for practical steps that are easy to understand yet innovative at the same time, this book is for you. She covers exercise, diet, and healthy relationships, including prompts for self-reflection to check in so that you can experience the abundant life that you deserve. Youll be empowered with an attitude that says, I can do this, so that you can be you, only better. The time to thrive is now.

Dave Dicken, creator of Make Someone Great Today and crisis counselor at Crisis Text Line

For the past thirty-five years, I have watched stress levels and resulting mental health issues increase among both the special education students I teach and the high achievers I coach. Though the two groups are different in nature, the levels of depression and anxiety in both have risen, especially in the midst of a global pandemic. I am grateful that authors such as Kristi Hugstad are tackling the issues that impact our youth, and I am especially happy to see gratitude and hope as part of her self-care regimen.

Jorjean Fischer, special education teacher and cross-country running and track coach

As a veteran high school teacher and coach, I have witnessed students dealing with many of the issues that Kristi Hugstad addresses in Be You, Only BetterI applaud her for focusing on areas such as the importance of sleep, how to maintain a healthy diet, and money and time management.

Dan Leer, high school English teacher, athletic coach, and yearbook adviser

Be You, Only Better offers informed advice for young adults and parents, using science with a capital S to present her stories of self-help in a trusted voice. Hugstad gives easily understood examples of self-care that will resonate with readers. Chapters tell stories based on actual young adults, anchoring us in their lives and transformative behaviors (diet, managing time and money, and finding happy relationships).

Dr. John Maitino, professor at Cal Poly Pomona

Be You, Only Better is an engaging book with real-life stories that quickly teach a lesson.Each chapter is broken up into key sections, making it an easy but meaningful read. As a middle school teacher, I will encourage my students to read this book. I plan to follow these self-care approaches as well!

Sara Twiss, middle school leadership teacher

A must-read for anyone wanting permission to help themselves or a friend, this book reads as though its reaching out to grab you and hold you in your time of need.

Regina Louise, author of Somebodys Someone and Permission Granted

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 someones life.

William Meyer, author of Three Breaths and Begin

A well-written outreach mainly to adolescents, but frankly to anyone seeking to help a family member or friend suffering with depression and suicidal ideationA great read thats clinically relevant and helpful.

Nadine Levinson, DDS, clinical professor, psychiatry, University of California, Irvine

My hope is that Kristi Hugstads book Beneath the Surface will give teens hope and insight into their emotional lives and help them emerge stronger, as well as wiser.

Maureen Healy, author of The Emotionally Healthy Child

Invaluable insight and support that will help any troubled teen come through the turbulence of those years.

Steve Taylor, PhD, author of The Leap and The Calm Center

Critical to any parent, whether or not the parent realizes itthis book not only changed my life, it changed the life of my child.

Kevin Thaddeus Fisher-Paulson, columnist, San Francisco Chronicle

BE

YOU,

Only

Better

Also by Kristi Hugstad

Beneath the Surface: A Teens Guide to Reaching Out

When You or Your Friend Is in Crisis

Returning to Joy:

Inspiration for Grieving the Loss of a Loved One

Returning to Joy:

Inspiration for Grieving the Loss of Your Cat

Returning to Joy:

Inspiration for Grieving the Loss of Your Dog

What I Wish Id Known: Finding Your Way through the Tunnel of Grief

Copyright 2021 by Kristi Hugstad

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

The material in this book is intended for education. No expressed or implied guarantee of the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given or liability taken.

Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Hugstad, Kristi, author. | Tucker, Tami, writer of foreword.

Title: Be you, only better : real life self-care for young adults / Kristi Hugstad ; foreword by Tami Tucker, PhD.

Description: Novato, California : New World Library, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references. | Audience: Ages 14 to 18 | Audience: Grades 10-12 | Summary: Outlines daily practices that promote physical, mental, and emotional health for young people making the transition to adulthood. The author covers practices such as journaling, exercise, healthy sleep habits, time management, and mindfulness, with brief discussions of scientific research showing the proven benefits of each practice-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020052363 (print) | LCCN 2020052364 (ebook) | ISBN 9781608687381 (paperback) | ISBN 9781608687398 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Youth--Health and hygiene--Juvenile literature. | Teenagers--Health and hygiene--Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC RA777 .H835 2021 (print) | LCC RA777 (ebook) | DDC 613/.0433--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020052363

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020052364

First printing, March 2021

ISBN 978-1-60868-738-1

Ebook ISBN 978-1-60868-739-8

Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

10987654321

W hy do I act the way I do? How do people change? What makes me feel the things I feel? What keeps me from going after what I truly want? Why do I feel unable to control my life and my emotions?