Things to try with us...Read
Here is a list of books about health that we have found particularly useful. Think of it as like a book club with Kefir rather than Prosecco…we’ll gradually add more books with a description from a member of the team as we go along. We’d love to hear your recommendations too...
The 4-Pillar Plan
by Rangan Chatterjee
Health
Quite simply the book that has changed the way that I practice and think about health more than any other. If I were to recommend healthcare professionals read any ‘text book’ it would be this one. Written by a GP he explains current concepts of how our lifestyle choices influence our health and argues that how we sleep, what we eat, how we relax and how we move have the biggest impact on our health. I bought it for both my parents
Dr Peter Churn
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Being Mortal
by Atul Gawande
Older people, Palliative care
If you are helping care for an older person or someone at the end of their life, I couldn’t recommend this book more. Written by an American surgeon it is an intensely personal exploration of how we provide social care and what really matters in the end…I loved it.
Dr Peter Churn
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Depression
A gut-wrenching but ultimately hopeful account of one young man’s experience of depression. I found it profoundly moving and helpful in understanding what it feels like to be depressed – and what might help most.
Dr Peter Churn
Where Memories Go
by Sally Magnusson
Dementia
A beautifully written and intimate account of one family’s experiences of caring for a loved one with dementia. It is full of comfort and wisdom about an experience that so many of us share.
Dr Peter Churn
Lost Connections
by Johann Hari
Depression
A book that challenged what I was taught about depression and antidepressants. Johann Hari is a journalist who suffered depression and went on a journey to talk to the world’s experts and try and uncover the true causes of depression in our modern lives.
Dr Peter Churn
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read by Philippa Perry
Parenting
I haven’t read many books about parenting…but maybe I should have! This is written by a psychologist but is practical and readable. I wish I had read it earlier and my children would probably agree.
Dr Peter Churn
Notes on Grief
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche
Grief
One woman’s experience of loss….who happens to be one of the world’s finest writers. A small but beautiful book that might bring a small amount of comfort.
Dr Peter Churn
The Outrun
by Amy Liptrot
Alcohol
A beautifully written memoir of a washed up young alcoholic woman…washing up on Orkney. How she survived and what we can all learn from her struggles.
Dr Peter Churn
Chasing the Scream
by Johann Hari
Addiction
The story of addiction and why the ‘War on Drugs’ is failing. I learnt so much about the experience of addiction and how best to try and help as a doctor, relative or friend
Dr Peter Churn
Dopamine Nation
by Anna Lembke
Addiction, Health, Pain
Fantastic book written by a psychiatrist Anna Lembke. We live in a dopamine saturated world, and it is making us all sick. I loved her concept of a balance between pleasure and pain and how our body's naturally seek to balance this.
Dr Peter Churn
Finding Ultra
by Rich Roll
Addiction, Running
My hero – an American, vegan ultra-runner, swimmer, and podcaster – but don’t let that put you off. Tells the tale of his descent into alcoholism as an unfulfilled entertainment lawyer to redemption as one of the world’s fittest men. One of my fantasy dinner party guests – but you’d have to serve vegetables.
Dr Peter Churn
Tiny Habits
by BJ Fogg
Health, Behaviour Change
BJ Fogg is a Stanford professor who ran a course in behaviour change attended by the founders of Instagram. If you are struggling to break bad habits or stick to new ones, I think he has understood why that might be better than anyone else….so start ridiculously small, and make it feel good!
Dr Peter Churn
Bravery
by Alexi Pappas
Running, Depression
I love Alexi Pappas – poet, film-maker and Olympic athlete. Bravey tells the story of how she coped with her mother’s mental illness before experiencing depression herself – courageous, inspiring and wise beyond her years.
Dr Peter Churn
Midnight Library
By Matt Haig
Depression, Life
What if you had the chance to make different choices in your life?....a novel about regret, our choices and what makes a good life. Poignant and comforting.
Dr Peter Churn
Stolen Focus
by Johann Hari
Attention, Life
A call to arms about the attention calamity we are all facing – how it is affecting us and what we can do about it. I didn’t particularly like the bit about ADHD but much of the remainder resonated for a 47-year-old struggling to stay off his phone and stay present in his life!
Dr Peter Churn
Can't Hurt Me
by David Goggins
Running, Behaviour Change
If you feel you are stuck and cannot change your life, perhaps you need Goggins? His story from an impoverished, abusive childhood to a decorated US Navy SEAL and record-setting ultra-runner will both challenge and inspire you. Take an unflinching look in the mirror, accept no excuses and unlock the remaining 60% of your potential. Stay Hard!
Dr Peter Churn
The Power of Regret
by Daniel H. Pink
Decisions, Life
No regrets?....let's hope not. A highly readable book about what we tend to regret most, how to learn from this and make better decisions in the future. I regret not reading it earlier
Dr Peter Churn
Before & Laughter
by Jimmy Carr
Stress, Depression
What if a stand-up comedian wrote a self-help book?....he has! A book full of wit, wisdom and current psychological best practice! More Ho-Ho than Woo-Woo. I bought it for my brother.
Dr Peter Churn
Happy Mind, Happy Life
Rangan Chatterjee
Life
I have enjoyed all of Rangan's books but his latest might even be my favourite - a wise guidebook to a contented life in the modern age. Maybe more 'content' than 'happy' - but I think that is really what we should all be aiming for?
Dr Peter Churn
Think Like a Monk
Jay Shetty
Life
Lessons for life in the modern world from a young man who lived as a monk in an ashram for 3 years....so that we don't have to!? It's full of humble advice to help us live contented lives with purpose and meaning. A lovely book.
Dr Peter Churn
Greenlights
Matthew McConaughey
Life
Alright, alright, alright....Want to spend a few hours around a campfire with a few beers and one of the world's most charming, handsome and...it turns out...wisest men? You can! I'm afraid you might fall in love - I have.
Dr Peter Churn
HARBOURS MEDICAL PRACTICE
Health Centre
Avenue Road
Cockenzie, East Lothian
EH32 0JU
Tel: 0300 790 6244
Out-Of-Hours: 111
FORTHVIEW ROAD SURGERY
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