Be you, only better: real life self-care for young adults (and everyone else)

While young adulthood has always been about more than first love, growing independence, and increasing personal freedom, today's challenges are unprecedented: global health and climate crises, economic roller coasters, pressure to excel in school and pay for college, and social media that can magnify, distort, and spread anything and everything.

The results are epidemic levels of depression, PTSD, self-harm, and substance abuse.

The science- and experience-backed tools Kristi Hugstad offers in response allow young people to cope in the moment, construct a resilient foundation, and empower the emergence of their optimal self.

Each practice -- such as journaling, getting enough sleep and exercise, embracing nature, managing time and money, and practicing gratitude, mindfulness, and optimism -- is illustrated by the story of a real young person and affirmed by state-of-the-science research.

Never speaking down to young adults, Hugstad, who has experienced depression, grief, and trauma herself, writes in a peer-to-peer way that makes this a wonderfully accessible lifeline and a realistically inspiring guide to leading -- and loving -- one's best possible life.