Sharp, the book

You know those people who bring out the best in you? That’s Therese Huston.                 
She’s releasing her newest book tomorrow, April 29, 2025 and I am excited.

I’ve enjoyed her books before, but this one is exactly the collection of practical ideas I’ve been wanting: science-backed, packed with options, and easy to put into practice. It reminds me of a good workout class, the kind where the instructor gives you guidance, a challenge if you're ready for more, or an easier variation if you’re just starting out.

Could neuroscience ever be an easy read? Turns out, yes — and it might even be exciting to discover all the good things you’re already doing to take care of your brain, along with tons of new ideas to keep it healthy.

This book got me SO motivated to improve the habits I’ve been practicing and test new ones. I didn’t just want to highlight, dog-ear pages, and jot down notes (though I did plenty of that). Since I'm a visual learner and love to draw, I started sketching. Visual cues helped me remember key ideas and got me practicing one of Therese’s own suggestions: rehearse what you’ve learned to cement it in your brain.
It really works! Now, I have pictures to go along with the practices I want to stick with. Narrowing it down was the hard part — I landed on 24 daily practices, but you might find even more that work for you.

Since experiencing burnout, I’ve known I needed to find more calm and quiet in my life. I’m pretty open to trying new things, so a few years ago I started practicing Tai Chi, which led me to breathwork and different kinds of meditation. Long story short: while wearing a glucose monitor, I noticed that after I sat down to breathe or meditate, my glucose levels significantly dropped. The physical and emotional effects of slowing down were undeniable — and learning the brain science behind mindful movement and meditation in Therese’s book was pure gold.

This book ties together so many bits and pieces of advice I’ve been testing in my life — now backed by scientific studies. It makes me even more confident in continuing to practice and try new strategies.

One of my favorite parts? The self-compassionate tone of so many suggestions.
I’ve been trying to convince myself that mistakes are part of learning — a sign I’m doing something — but they’re still tough to face. In the book, Therese encourages us to track our mistakes to see progress over time. I hadn’t thought of it that way before. YES, to new perspectives! YES, to deeper-rooted reasons for why we do what we do — and YES to changing what’s not working. After all, creating new neural pathways is absolutely possible, even as an adult.

So if one day you find yourself sitting down to watch funny videos, snacking on edamame after a good walk on a chilly autumn day — know this: you're doing something good. You’re taking care of your brain, your body, your soul. And in my book — that’s triple points.

Sharp is a fantastic read if you love self-help, learning, and practical advice.
The book officially releases tomorrow — but you can still pre-order today!

(Nope, I’m not an affiliate — just a genuine fan!)

If you like visual reminders like these, leave a comment and subscribe— and I’ll send you the graphic files I created to help remember the practices.