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Woman's Comfort Book: A Self-Nurturing Guide for Restoring Balance in Your Life

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With over 200 prescriptions for giving yourself a break, this book helps the reader to sort out guilty feelings about self–nurture and to define her comfort/self–nurture needs. In this book the author delivers a host of creative and comforting programmes like the self–care schedule, creative selfishness, creating a comfort network, body delights, a personal sanctuary, the comfort journal, bathing pleasures and comfort rituals. Organised by topic and cross–referenced throughout, this guidebook is designed to appeal to women of all ages. The new edition has been revised and updated for modern women.

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 1992

76 people are currently reading
1454 people want to read

About the author

Jennifer Louden

31 books241 followers

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5 stars
465 (37%)
4 stars
391 (31%)
3 stars
275 (22%)
2 stars
79 (6%)
1 star
20 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Cathie.
232 reviews
March 29, 2009
Easy read with some good, if over the top, ideas. This is a nice, happy read for those of us who feel guilty about not alwyas working or doing chores. It has some good basic ideas for forgiving yourself and others, for letting go of guilt and finding time for yourself. It also deals with food issues, spirituality and things we do to sabotage ourselves. Some of her rituals are bordering on whack, but there are plenty of good ideas in here. Also lots of good recommended reading for the areas I may want to delve into in more detail.
Profile Image for Judi Easley.
1,496 reviews48 followers
January 31, 2016
Starting this book today, I have lots of time and several things to putter with here at home. A low pressure day you might say. You also might say, Thank you, God. I've read the reviews and am prepared to read slowly and linger over the book. I am prepared to like and possibly love it. Maybe even suggest it to my recently widowed sister. We shall see.

Well, I'm finished with this first reading of the book. And I say this first reading because I think there are many parts of it that I will want to read again for reference and reflection. I only gave it 4 stars because being written in 2003, it is behind the times as far as being haunted by cell phones, which is bigger than it sounds. It is focused on women who work, and I don't work outside my home. There were many parts though that are timeless and apply to me as if she wrote the book just for me. I read it in ebook form and did copious highlighting and noting. This will find a place in my Bullet Journal as well so that I won't lose track of it. I will definitely bring it up in counseling as well. This is definitely a book I would recommend to someone feeling stressed and in need of coping skills and ways to take care of themselves.
Profile Image for Kym Gamble.
14 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2012
This is a fabulous book dedicated to taking care of ourselves. It is one of those books I will keep forever. It is a guide to self-care and nurturing in these days where that is almost unheard of. If you have a hard time taking time for youself - get it. If you're worn down and need a break - get it. If you want to do something nice for youself - get it. If you haven't gotten my drift -------- GET IT! It's a great book to keep forever and keep going back to. Actually, I'm gonna pick mine off the shelf today!
Profile Image for Tina.
13 reviews
March 22, 2008
This book was the best thing that I read when I was recovering from a back operation. Jennifer Louden writes up many different ways for women to take care of themselves. Nurturing others is such a natural thing for most women to do but when it comes to taking care of themselves, it is so hard.

In this book, are many easy and achievable ways to be kind to yourself. I often pick it up and go over some of the sections.The book itself feels soft and comforting. I still enjoy referring to it.
Profile Image for Gloria.
2,325 reviews54 followers
September 14, 2008
This is a book that one should linger over in order to appreciate the variety of ideas and suggestions for nurturing the spirit. Short chapters dealing with topics intended to inspire you to try something different in order to bring your self into balance. Lots of resources listed for books, music CDs, etc.
1 review1 follower
Currently reading
October 23, 2009
I now have a copy for the car and teh house. My 5 minute survival guide. Ilove the fact that I can open it to any page and get someting helpful or go to the comfort at a glance page and find what I need in seconds
Profile Image for Tiffany.
Author 43 books13 followers
August 11, 2008
I love this book! It has become a trusted friend I turn to in good times and bad!
Profile Image for Jewel.
193 reviews6 followers
November 12, 2008
This is a great book for someone who is looking for new ways to play, to just relax, and to do fun things. It explores far reaching ideas - even sexually. lmao
Profile Image for Brandi.
138 reviews
March 23, 2009
I have owned this book for about 10 years. I find myself re-reading it every year or two to remind myself to slow down.
Profile Image for Laura Cheek.
214 reviews7 followers
May 15, 2009
Give yourself a personalized retreat - read this book and comfort yourself.
Profile Image for Lynda.
2,497 reviews121 followers
June 2, 2009
I go back to this book over and over whenever I need to remind myself to look after myself.
Profile Image for Liaken.
1,501 reviews
October 3, 2010
I use this book as part of the healing I help women with. Louden has anticipated the woman's soul beautifully in this reference. It is full of ideas of ways to address the needs of the soul.
Profile Image for Dawn.
114 reviews
September 1, 2017
This was an eyeopening read. It raised thoughts I'd simply never entertained. I loved that the author helps you apply things to your own life.
Profile Image for Sasha Boersma.
821 reviews33 followers
November 25, 2017
Handbook for people burn out from emotional labour and are trying to find themselves again. Collects a range of different elements from various theories of self-help and presents them into a collection of actionable items.

Not for everyone, but for the right person it’s an excellent resource.
Profile Image for Nicole.
477 reviews24 followers
June 13, 2020
A good read for any busy woman as it has a lot of different ways to self-nuture and take care. Definitely shows its age with its references to things (like a phone book or a Walkman), but the book is still filled with solid advice.
Profile Image for Heidi.
4 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2021
Good book to begin reading. Stop cleaning or going to appointments. Career out 30 min or so to be gone reading
Profile Image for Cornelia Maier.
Author 4 books5 followers
July 8, 2023
Great, the author has a lot of very good suggestions to choose from!
262 reviews3 followers
February 9, 2025
A bit dated, but som.e good food for thought
Profile Image for Rebecca Waring-Crane.
456 reviews
November 14, 2014
Before the book was in my hands I wanted to love it -- but wanting to love a book has not made it so, in my experience. Once I got it, I let it languish for over a week because I was afraid it wouldn't live up to my hopes.

Happy relief! Once I finally took the plunge and began reading, I couldn't resist the warmth and wisdom of Woman's Cofort Book: A Self-Nurturing Guide for Restoring Balance in Your Life.

Jen Louden serves up a delicious collection of comfort recipes that stir curiosity and delight with each page. Thoughtful guidance and meaty reference lists round out the engaging tone of each chapter.

As a relatively new convert to self-care, I found quite a few fresh ideas for personal wellness and nurture. A real treasure to keep or to share with someone dear.
Profile Image for Erin Lyndal Martin.
143 reviews6 followers
July 27, 2014
This book has a simple premise and is full of wonderful ideas. Here, Loudon just gives lots of different suggestions for self-care activities that someone can do to take better care of themselves and be self-nurturing on a lot of level. She also includes "when to use this activity" notes for each one, so you can find one to target whatever you are experiencing. I am very bad about not taking the time to self-nurture, so this book has been a great reminder to me.
Profile Image for Nicole Perkins.
Author 3 books56 followers
May 20, 2013
I took notes on this one, though I liked her book "The Woman's Retreat Book" much better. All of us ladies need to work on self-nurturing though, whether we have children, spouses or otherwise. We do too much. Check this one out, and treat yourself to a luxurious experience: showering in the dark. Trust me. It's amazing.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
419 reviews16 followers
April 27, 2015
I picked it up from the library and skimmed it. It all seemed so obvious to me. I do all of this comfy stuff already. I have no guilt about it and I already love myself a lot. What can I say? I'm sure it is very helpful for women who are struggling!
Profile Image for Paula.
20 reviews3 followers
October 15, 2014
Stands up to the test of time (well, at least 20 years or so). Great resources for anyone working with clients or looking to help themselves along on a journey to themselves and what they need to feel good.
Profile Image for Indigo.
6 reviews2 followers
May 27, 2015
I love this book. Once you get over the title and the pagan sage rituals, the rest of it is a fun to follow step by step guide to loving yourself. I especially enjoy the comfort journal, bath time and nurturing voice ideas :--)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews

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