Emma B shares her self-help book recommendations for Mental Health Awareness Week
She's teamed up with Toni Jones from The Shelf Help Club!
Last updated 15th May 2023
Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 takes place this week, starting on Monday 15th May and ending on Sunday 21st May. This year's theme for the week is "anxiety" - and according to Mental Health UK, over 8 million people in the UK are living with an anxiety disorder.
The Mental Health Foundation say: "Focusing on anxiety for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week will increase people's awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem.
"At the same time, we will keep up the pressure to demand change - making sure that improving mental health is a key priority for the government and society as a whole."
Our very own Emma B has teamed up with The Shelf Help Club, run by founder Toni Jones who has provided us with five self-help books you can get stuck into for each weekday this week. Read on to find out more about the books and why Toni recommends them...
Emma B speaks on Mental Health Awareness Week
Each day this week at around 2.30pm, Emma B will be joined by the amazing Toni Jones who will be recommending all the best self-help books for you to read this Mental Health Awareness Week.
She said: "Hello, Emma B here. The theme of mental health week this year is anxiety and I knew that would be something so many of us can identify with whether that's just getting through a busy day, pressures at work, parenting kids and always thinking we’re not enough, we've all been there.
"I've found comfort and power in a good self-help book! It's a perfect, affordable starting place to help us get back on our feet and make sense of this crazy world. Toni Jones runs The Shelf Help Club and is the absolute expert on all best reads out there. She's also dead nice, so here are some of her picks which we'll be talking about this week on the show!"
The Shelf Help Club: Founder Toni Jones' book recommendations for Mental Health Awareness Week
Day 1: The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi
Toni says: "This is the first book I recommend to anyone wanting to make any kind of change in their life. It's entry-level self-help, packed with gentle exercises that encourage self-reflection, and steeped in self-compassion, which experience - and science! - has proven to be the most effective way to change how we think, feel and ultimately behave."
Day 1: Listen from 2pm on Monday 15th May.
Day 2: Self-Care For Tough Times by Suzy Reading
Toni says: "There are three reasons I love it. First up, it's a gentle way to start taking care of yourself when looking after you feels like the absolutely last thing you have the time or the energy for... Anyone relating out there? Self-Care For Tough Times was one of our featured books during lockdown, and it absolutely helped the community and I get through some really quite dark days.
"Secondly, it'll help you to create a toolkit of simple practices to get you out of that head and into your body. It's filled with soothing tonics using body, touch, breath, movement and the mind that can all help us heal during times of stress, grief or change - things that will come to us all at some point. And third - it's just gorgeous to look at, I love it! It's full of cool illustrations and inspiring quotes, something to keep and revisit as and when needed."
Day 2: Listen from 2pm on Tuesday 16th May.
Day 3: The Anxiety Antidote by Kamran Bedi
Toni says: "Today's book is The Anxiety Antidote by NLP coach and anxiety and PTSD specialist Kamran Bedi. So if you suffer with anxiety here are three reasons why this could be just the book for you. Firstly it's a real how-to kind of self-help book. It's filled with exercises, prompts and practical tools. Kamran is all about taking action. And so this book is a kind of coach in your pocket.
"Secondly, it explains in simple terms what anxiety actually is including physical and mental symptoms to look out for and how it's formed. And I think this kind of basic information can be really empowering when it comes to understanding and managing our mental health. And finally, it'll help you build emotional resilience, which is a really useful self-development skill for every stage of life as your mental wellbeing and anxiety levels will ebb and flow which will happen to all of us, right? So we may as well be prepared."
Day 3: Listen from 2pm on Wednesday 17th May.
Day 4: The Anxiety Solution by Chloe Brotheridge
Toni says: "Our fourth book prescription of the week is The Anxiety Solution by hypnotherapist and podcaster Chloe Brotheridge, who first studied hypnotherapy as a way to manage her own chronic anxiety. And I've since seen this woman do gospel karaoke stone cold sober, so I can tell you she is walking, talking, singing proof that her system works... Three things I've learned from reading The Anxiety Solution.
"Firstly, that anxiety is not the enemy - it's actually a friend, teaching us about what our needs are, whether that means making a change to our lifestyle, learning to love ourselves more or healing our past. Chloe says that we should let anxiety in for a cup of tea and listen to what she has to say. Secondly, that totally getting rid of anxiety isn't actually the goal, because it's a normal human emotion that we all experience from time to time. And finally, that what we eat and drink can make a difference to how anxious we feel. So, obvious ones are less caffeine, alcohol and sugar, but we should also try to include healthy Omega 3 fats from oily fish, flaxseed and walnuts, as well as slow release carbs to help support our emotional health."
Day 4: Listen from 2pm on Thursday 18th May.
Day 5: Energize: Make the Most of Every Moment by Simon Alexander Ong
Toni says: "The three things I've learned from author Simon are that firstly, we need to stop treating our health as a side hustle. People spend more time planning their summer holidays than thinking about how to look after their mental health all year round, which is nuts! We need to prioritise our health, people!
"Secondly, we all benefit from better energy levels, but how and when we feel most energized will be different for everyone. Managing anxiety has a lot to do with managing inputs and outputs, so Simon coaches us to understand our energy resources and recognise our most energized states. So, when to push and when to recoup, so that we can work sustainably towards our biggest goals and best selves.
"And finally, calm and productive days start the night before, and so when you're especially anxious, working on your sleep hygiene should be a priority. Three hours before bed, stop eating, two hours before bed, get off screens and one hour before, start the wind down."
Day 5: Listen from 2pm on Friday 19th May.
Places you can find help
Samaritans: (available 24/7), samaritans.org, phone 116 123 or online chat.
Childline: (24 hours), childline.org.uk, phone 0800 11 11 or online chat.
MIND: (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm), mind.org.uk, phone 0300 123 3393.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: (24 hours), nationaldahelpline.org.uk, phone 0808 2000 247.
CALM: (Every day 5pm to midnight), thecalmzone.net, 0800 58 58 58 or online chat.
Switchboard LGBQ+: switchboard.lgbt, helpline 0300 330 0630.
Cruse Bereavement Helpline: (Mon & Fri 9.30am to 5pm / Tues, Wed, Thurs 9.30am to 8pm), cruse.org.uk, 0808 808 1677.
When is Emma B on Magic Radio?
You can hear Emma B on Magic Radio on her show Afternoons with Emma B, every weekday 1pm - 4pm.
Meet our Magic Radio presenters:
Harriet Scott
Listen to Harriet Scott on Magic Radio Breakfast every weekday from 6am - 10am
Harriet joined Magic Radio in August 2015, entertaining us on-air with her warm and fun presenting style.
She got her start on the airwaves with her own show on student radio, going on to host a string of radio programmes, picking up awards along the way, and making a name for herself as one of the top radio presenters in the country. In September 2017, Harriet joined the Magic Breakfast Show.
Her list of celebrity interviews is pretty impressive – including George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Stevie Wonder and, a personal highlight, Kermit the Frog.
When Harriet isn't on air, she loves spending time with her two boys, going on muddy walks with her Labrador, and cooking for friends.
Nick Snaith
Weekdays Mid Mornings 10am – 1pm
Nick Snaith joined Magic Radio in September 2014 bringing his inimitable style to Magic listeners all over the nation. Working in media since 1998, Nick has some impressive credentials which include working on the BBC1's Holiday programme. The series saw him trekking around the world for three series travelling from Valencia to America and Morocco to Northern Cyprus, which was his favourite location.
Outside Nick's media life he has owned nightclubs and pubs for the past ten years. His recent endeavours saw him strip out a 200 year old pub in Shropshire and transform it into a thriving gastropub.
Nick is sports fanatic and has taken on the 45 mile Palace to Palace Bike Ride for the Prince's Trust, as well as the London Winter Run for Magic Radio.
Piloting planes is Nick's other passion, he has flown across most of Europe and tries to fly most weekends. Flying at 500ft high along the Dalmatian Coast rates as one of Nick's most memorable experiences!
Neev Spencer
Weekday Afternoons - 1pm - 4pm
A regular contributor on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Neev is an award-winning presenter and before joining Magic, was a listener favourite at KISS.
Tom and Kat
4 till 7 Show with Tom and Kat
Starting off at Magic on the Saturday Breakfast Tom Price has been entertaining Magic Radio listeners since 2016. Tom is famous for his standup comedy and TV career appearing in shows such Doctor Who spin-off series, Torchwood and his podcast 'My Mate Bought a Toaster'.
Kat, an accomplished broadcaster, has worked on multiple stations and joined Magic Radio to host weekend evenings in 2020, later moving to weekend afternoons.
Dan Morrissey
Monday - Thursday 7pm - 10pm
Saturday Mornings 10am - 1pm
Dan grew up on the sunny South Coast, then Bristol, without a TV in the house. This has come up in therapy a few times, but also explains his love for radio...
Having worked on stations in and around the South, and then on Magic's sister stations across the Midlands he joined us at the start of 2019.
Join him every Saturday from 10am for more of the songs you love, some giggles and plenty of chances to get your own moment of fame...
He also pops up around the place when other presenters are on hard-earned holidays, so listen out for him.
Paul Hayes
Early Breakfast Monday – Thursday 4am-6am
Paul Hayes joined Magic in 2013 after returning from 3 years living and working in Dubai, UAE and Montreal, Canada, where he went from nearly 50 degree heat and sandstorms to minus 40 and snowstorms.
Paul is obsessed with cooking and food after taking two 'Haute Cuisine' courses. When he's not in the kitchen rustling up comfort food and trying out new recipes, Paul loves being out in the countryside, at the coast, or in a theatre.
He's massively into cars and has been since he was 4 years old and one of his favourite experiences was a track day at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire.
Join Paul Monday to Friday on Magic to start the day on Early Breakfast (4-6am) and weekends 4-8pm.
You can also hear him on Mellow Magic weekdays 9am-12pm and Magic Soul 2-5pm.
Eloise Carr
Fridays - 4am - 6am
As well as being on Magic Chilled, you can hear Eloise if you're up at the crack of dawn every Friday at 4am until 6am on Magic or if you're after a little lie in, she's also on the Magic Breakfast show every weekday from 6-10, doing the travel.
Emma B
Weekend Afternoons 1pm-4pm
Emma B has forged a highly successful broadcast career spanning over 15 years at some of the world's best-known radio stations. She became known as Emma B when she worked for Creation Records alongside Oasis and Primal Scream.
Although her first taste of radio was when she was 8, as part of Timmy Mallet's Radio Oxford weekend show, the real break came when she worked at the legendary Radio Caroline (at Bristol dock) on the infamous 'Boat That Rocked' before moving to London and selling advertising and then writing articles for magazines including Elle, New Woman, Q and NME. Whilst trying to forge a path back to radio, Emma worked in the music business at Creation Records and then at Island Records with artists like U2, Tricky and PJ Harvey.
Emma joined BBC Radio 1 in 1998 and in April 2000 she co-presented the Sunday Surgery show, alongside Dr Mark Hamilton. The Sunday Surgery dealt with ground-breaking social and health issues for teenagers, including sex, drugs, poverty and crime. She won 4 Sony Awards for it and has been singled out as having saved lives through the show.
Emma has previously lived in Ibiza with her husband and 2 children where she had a small PR company dealing with clients such as Sony /Columbia Records. She had a weekly radio show on Ibiza-based station Sonica and hosted a series of live radio broadcasts from the Pacha Terrace and the DJ Awards 2010. Emma took a short break from radio to work in the charity sector at Macmillan Cancer Support & Teenage Cancer Trust, using her skills to fundraise and spread the word.
Emma returned to radio when she joined Magic Radio in 2017, where she now hosts weekdays from 1pm – 4pm. Emma's infectious sense of humour and mischievousness keeps the UK going all afternoon.
Emma loves arts and culture and a good book. Her TV favourites are any murder mysteries from Vera to Midsummer Murders and Death in Paradise to Trigger Point. Anything written by Jed Mercurio with Vicky McClure is a must watch, as well as an Agatha Christie thrown in for good measure. Emma, like the nation, has been gripped by Succession as well as recent dramas including It's a Sin, Sex Education & Euphoria.
She's also a committed theatre fan and is as happy singing along to Dear Evan Hanson as she is hosting the red carpet at the Olivier Awards. And at the opposite end of the glamour stakes, loves nothing better than getting her hands dirty in her garden
Nicole Appleton
Weekends - 4pm - 7pm
Best known as a member of the pop group All Saints who enjoyed huge success with two multi-platinum albums as well as record sales exceeding 12 million worldwide, Nicole made her radio presenting debut on the station last year when she hosted a series of specials shows on female artists.
Jim Davis
Weekends 7pm - 10pm
Jim joined the Magic team in 2019 & is currently the host of the Weekend Evening show.
He has been presenting on the radio for over 25 years and loves his job! You may have heard Jim on several other stations over the years, but now he is proud to call Magic his home!
Jim is a huge dog lover and keen foodie. He is also an avid traveller (although he doesn't have a lot of spare time!) as you'll also find Jim presenting weekday mid-mornings on our sister station Mellow Magic (9am-12pm) as well as weekend lunchtimes on Magic At The Musicals (12pm-3pm).
You can find Jim on Twitter and Instagram @JimDavisOnAir
Jen Thomas
Weekends 10pm - 1am
Jen Thomas is a journalist and radio presenter and has been interviewing bands and writing about music since she was 14 years old. Writing for the likes of NME, Metro, Rolling Stone UK, Daily Star, Buzzfeed, Ladbible, The Telegraph and more.
Jen went back to university as a mature student at 28 to pursue a career in radio. Working as a producer at various stations while studying, Jen also joined Nottingham Trent University's student radio station, Fly FM.
After winning six Student Radio Awards and becoming known for her relaxing voice, Jen's rise to radio fame took her to Virgin Radio and BBC Derby, and now Magic Radio every Monday to Thursday 10pm to 1am and Mellow Magic Sunday 9am-12.
She lives in Manchester with her rescue dog Minnie, has too many houseplants and is obsessed with leopard print, gardening, baking ridiculous cakes, anything Disney and watching live music.
Sonali Shah 
Sunday Breakfast - 6am - 10am
Sonali began her professional broadcasting career in BBC Radio soon after graduating from university in 2001. She produced and presented news and business programmes on the World Service and Radio 5 Live. As well as being the Sunday Breakfast presenter on Magic Radio, Sonali is currently a host of BBC One's Escape to the Country and major Events for the BBC. She often hosts episodes of ITV's Tonight and regularly appears on Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch. Sonali is well known for being one of the faces BBC Sport and before that, a long-serving presenter of Newsround. Sonali was part of the presentation teams for Delhi 2010, London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 and joined the BBC Crimewatch team in 2015. She was a regular host on the National Lottery Live Draw on BBC One. Away from the camera and the microphone, Sonali is an Ambassador for the Prince's Trust and the British Asian Trust and regularly supports Barnardo's. Sonali has released her first children's book, The Best Diwali Ever, this year based on the religious festival.
Angellica Bell 
Saturdays - 7am - 10am
Angellica became the face of CBBC. After hosting a whole range of shows for the children's channel, she made her seamless transition to mainstream TV and most recently a guest presenter on The One Show. Angellica has taken part in Comic Relief Does Fame Academy, sailed 1,000 miles from Belfast to London for Sport Relief, run the London marathon, learned tap-dancing for the TV show Born To Shine – and she won Celebrity Masterchef in 2017.
Lynn Parsons
Sundays 10am - 1pm
Lynn Parsons began life as a Vision Mixer in Television. Later moving on to Present Radio and Television. Firstly, for all 4 BBC National Radio Stations, the World Service and many of the National Commercial Radio stations too.
There have been hundreds of celebrity interviews along the way with everyone from Rock n Roll Royalty, Literary Gods and the occasional Prime Minister too!
Fascinated by How things Work, wherever possible Lynn has combined Broadcasting with Adventures involving technology including Looping the loop in a Tiger Moth, Formula 1, flying
in Sea King Helicopters, looking for Submarines in an R.A.F. Nimrod and experimenting in an R.A.F. Typhoon simulator.
Lynn Loves Sport ~ Marathons, Trampolining, Swimming and more recently you'll find her doing a Handstand on her Yoga Mat.
She drives a Vintage bright yellow VW Convertible Beetle called Tallullah!
Music is Lynn's first Love You can hear her on Magic radio Monday to Thursday evenings from 7 till 10pm and Sunday mornings at 10am on the Magic Request Show.