A self-help glossary is an A to Z reference of the words used in personal development, psychology, mindfulness, spirituality and manifestation, each with a short, plain-English definition. This one covers 156 terms, from affirmations and attachment styles to visualisation and Zen.
Last updated: 5 November 2026
Reading time: about 19 minutes
How we wrote this article: this glossary was written by Saj Ali. Each definition is short and plain, and links to a full guide wherever we have one.
How to use this glossary
- Browse by letter. Terms are listed A to Z.
- Short and quotable. Each definition is one or two plain sentences.
- Go deeper. “Learn more” links lead to our full guides and expert pages.
- Mixed fields. Psychology, mindfulness, spirituality and manifestation terms sit side by side.
Contents
- About This Glossary
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- V
- W
- Y
- Z
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
- Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
- Sources
About This Glossary
Self-help draws on many fields: psychology and therapy, mindfulness and meditation, spiritual traditions and the law of attraction. Each has its own vocabulary, and the same word can mean different things in different places. This glossary gives a short, neutral definition of each term and points you to a full guide where we have one. For general psychology terms, the APA Dictionary of Psychology is a useful companion (APA Dictionary of Psychology).
A
Abraham-Hicks. The teachings of Esther and Jerry Hicks, presented as messages from a group of non-physical teachers called Abraham, centred on the law of attraction and emotional guidance. Learn more.
Abundance mindset. A way of thinking that focuses on opportunity and sufficiency rather than scarcity, often linked with gratitude and generosity. Learn more.
Acceptance. Allowing thoughts, feelings and circumstances to be as they are in the present moment, without fighting them. It is often the first step towards change.
Affirmation. A short, positive statement repeated to reinforce a helpful belief, such as “I am enough”. Learn more.
Akashic records. In some spiritual traditions, a non-physical record of every soul’s experiences that can be consulted for insight.
Angel numbers. Repeating number sequences, such as 111 or 444, that some people interpret as spiritual messages or reminders. Learn more.
Anxious attachment. An attachment style marked by a strong need for closeness and reassurance, and worry about being left. Learn more.
Attachment style. The pattern of relating to close others that develops from early relationships, often described as secure, anxious, avoidant or disorganised. Learn more.
Avoidant attachment. An attachment style marked by discomfort with closeness and a strong preference for independence. Learn more.
Awareness. Noticing what is happening, inside and around you, as it happens. Most self-help methods begin by building it. Learn more.
B
Bibliotherapy. Using books, often self-help books, as a structured way to support wellbeing and personal growth. Learn more.
Binaural beats. Two slightly different tones played in each ear, which the brain hears as a single pulsing beat. They are used for relaxation and focus. Learn more.
Body scan. A meditation in which you move your attention slowly through the body, noticing sensations without judgement. Learn more.
Boundaries. The limits you set to protect your time, energy, body and values in relationships. Learn more.
Box breathing. A breathing pattern of four equal parts: breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold, often for a count of four each. Learn more.
Breathwork. Any practice that uses conscious control of the breath to influence mood, energy or relaxation. Learn more.
Burnout. A state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by long-term stress, often linked with work. Learn more.
C
Chakra balancing. Practices such as meditation, breathwork and sound intended to bring the chakras into harmony. Learn more.
Chakras. In yogic traditions, seven main energy centres running along the spine, from the root to the crown. Learn more.
Codependency. A relationship pattern in which one person over-focuses on another’s needs at the expense of their own. Learn more.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). A structured talking therapy that helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. Learn more.
Cognitive distortion. A habitual thinking error, such as all-or-nothing thinking or catastrophising, that colours how we see events. Learn more.
Comfort zone. The range of familiar situations in which you feel at ease. Growth usually happens just beyond it. Learn more.
Compassion. Noticing suffering, in yourself or others, together with the wish to help.
Conditioning. Patterns of thought and behaviour learned through repeated experience, especially in childhood. Learn more.
Core beliefs. Deep, often unspoken beliefs about yourself, other people and the world that shape how you interpret experience. Learn more.
Crown chakra. The seventh chakra, at the top of the head, associated with spiritual connection and awareness. Learn more.
Crystal healing. The use of crystals and gemstones as a focus for relaxation, intention and energy work. Learn more.
D
Detachment. In manifesting, holding an intention while letting go of anxious attachment to exactly how and when it happens. Learn more.
Discipline. The ability to act on your goals consistently, even when you do not feel like it. Learn more.
Dopamine. A brain chemical involved in motivation, reward and focus. Learn more.
E
Ego. In spiritual teaching, the sense of a separate self built from thoughts, roles and stories. In psychology, the part of the mind that mediates between needs and reality. Learn more.
EMDR. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, a structured therapy for processing distressing memories using bilateral stimulation such as eye movements. Learn more.
Emotional abuse. A pattern of behaviour, such as criticism, control or humiliation, that harms another person’s sense of self. Learn more.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). A method, often called tapping, that combines tapping on acupressure points with spoken statements about a problem. Learn more.
Emotional Guidance Scale. An Abraham-Hicks tool that ranks emotions from fear and despair up to joy and appreciation, to help you move gently towards better-feeling thoughts. Learn more.
Emotional intelligence. The ability to recognise, understand and manage your own emotions and respond well to the emotions of others.
Emotional regulation. The skills that help you manage the intensity and duration of your emotions. Learn more.
Empath. A person who feels strongly attuned to other people’s emotions. Learn more.
Energy healing. Practices, such as Reiki, that aim to support wellbeing by working with the body’s subtle energy. Learn more.
F
Fight, flight or freeze. The body’s automatic stress response to perceived danger. Learn more.
Fixed mindset. The belief that abilities are set and cannot change, the opposite of a growth mindset.
Flow state. A state of complete absorption in an activity, where time seems to pass quickly and effort feels natural. Learn more.
Forgiveness. Choosing to release resentment towards someone, for your own peace, without needing to excuse what happened. Learn more.
G
Gaslighting. A form of manipulation in which someone makes another person doubt their own memory, perception or judgement. Learn more.
Goal setting. Choosing specific outcomes to work towards, often with a plan and deadline. Learn more.
Gratitude practice. Regularly noticing and noting what you are thankful for, for example in a journal. Learn more.
Grounding. Simple practices that bring your attention back to the present moment and the body, such as feeling your feet on the floor. Learn more.
Growth mindset. The belief that abilities can be developed through effort, learning and practice.
Guided meditation. A meditation led by a teacher’s voice, live or recorded. Learn more.
H
Habit stacking. Linking a new habit to an existing one, for example meditating straight after brushing your teeth. Learn more.
Havening. A technique that uses gentle touch on the arms, face and hands, alongside distraction, to reduce distress. Learn more.
Higher self. In spiritual traditions, your wisest, most loving and authentic self. Learn more.
Highly sensitive person (HSP). A person with a heightened sensitivity to sensory, emotional and social input. Learn more.
Ho’oponopono. A Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness, known for the phrases “I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you”. Learn more.
Human Design. A system that combines astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah and the chakras to describe personality types and decision-making strategies. Learn more.
Hypnosis. A focused, relaxed state of attention in which people can be more open to suggestion. Learn more.
Hypnotherapy. The use of hypnosis by a trained practitioner to help with goals such as habits, confidence or stress. Learn more.
I
Imposter syndrome. A persistent feeling of being a fraud, despite evidence of your abilities. Learn more.
Inner child. The part of you that holds the feelings, needs and memories of your younger self. Learn more.
Inner critic. The internal voice that judges and criticises you. Learn more.
Inspired action. In manifesting, steps that feel natural and motivated rather than forced. Learn more.
Intention. A clear, chosen direction for your attention and actions. Learn more.
Internal Family Systems (IFS). A therapy model developed by Richard Schwartz that sees the mind as made up of parts, led by a calm, compassionate Self. Learn more.
Intuition. Knowing something without conscious reasoning, sometimes called a gut feeling. Learn more.
J
Journaling. Writing regularly about your thoughts, feelings and experiences to gain clarity.
K
Kundalini. In yogic traditions, a dormant energy said to rest at the base of the spine. Learn more.
L
Law of assumption. Neville Goddard’s teaching that assuming the feeling of your wish fulfilled helps bring it into experience. Learn more.
Law of attraction. The belief that positive or negative thoughts bring positive or negative experiences into a person’s life. Learn more.
Law of detachment. The principle of holding an intention lightly and releasing attachment to the outcome. Learn more.
Limiting belief. A belief that holds you back, such as “I am not good enough”. Learn more.
Living in the end. Neville Goddard’s practice of imagining and feeling as if your desire has already been fulfilled. Learn more.
Logotherapy. A meaning-centred approach to psychotherapy founded by Viktor Frankl. Learn more. See also Viktor Frankl.
Love languages. Gary Chapman’s five ways of expressing and receiving love: words, time, gifts, acts of service and touch. Learn more.
Lucid dreaming. Being aware that you are dreaming while the dream is happening.
M
Manifestation. The practice of bringing a goal into reality through focused thought, feeling, belief and action. Learn more.
Mantra. A word, sound or phrase repeated in meditation to focus the mind. Learn more.
Meditation. A practice of training attention and awareness, for example by focusing on the breath, a mantra or the present moment. Learn more.
Mental rehearsal. Imagining yourself performing a task or skill in detail before doing it. Learn more.
Mindfulness. Paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, without judgement. Learn more.
Mindset. Your established set of attitudes and beliefs, which shapes how you interpret and respond to situations.
Morning routine. A consistent set of activities at the start of the day, often including movement, reflection or planning. Learn more.
Motivation. The drive that moves you to act towards a goal. Learn more.
N
Narcissistic abuse. Emotional abuse by a person with strong narcissistic traits, often including manipulation, criticism and control. Learn more.
Negative self-talk. Critical or pessimistic thoughts you tell yourself. Learn more.
Nervous system regulation. The ability of your nervous system to move between activation and calm, and practices that support it. Learn more.
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). An approach to communication and personal development, created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, that models how language and thought shape behaviour. Learn more.
Neuroplasticity. The brain’s ability to change and form new connections throughout life.
New Thought. A spiritual movement from the 1800s that holds that thought shapes experience. It is the root of much law of attraction teaching. Learn more.
Non-attachment. A Buddhist idea of experiencing life fully without clinging to outcomes, people or things. Learn more. See also Thich Nhat Hanh.
Nonviolent Communication. Marshall Rosenberg’s method of communicating through observations, feelings, needs and requests. Learn more.
NSDR. Non-sleep deep rest: guided practices, such as yoga nidra, that bring deep relaxation while awake. Learn more.
O
Overthinking. Repeatedly going over thoughts or worries without reaching a resolution. Learn more.
P
Parts work. An approach, used in IFS and other therapies, that treats inner conflicts as conversations between different parts of the self. Learn more.
People-pleasing. Putting others’ needs and approval ahead of your own, often to avoid conflict. Learn more.
Perfectionism. Setting extremely high standards and judging yourself harshly when they are not met. Learn more.
Perseverance. Continuing to work towards a goal despite difficulty or delay. Learn more.
Positive psychology. The scientific study of what helps people and communities flourish.
Positive thinking. Choosing to focus on hopeful, constructive thoughts. Learn more.
Presence. Being fully here, in the present moment. Learn more.
Procrastination. Delaying tasks despite knowing it may cause problems. Learn more.
Psycho-Cybernetics. Maxwell Maltz’s approach to changing your self-image through mental rehearsal and goal-focused thinking. Learn more.
Q
Qi gong. A Chinese practice combining gentle movement, breathing and meditation. Learn more.
R
Radical acceptance. Fully accepting reality as it is, especially things outside your control.
Reality Transurfing. Vadim Zeland’s model of choosing among possible life paths by lowering importance and aligning heart and mind. Learn more.
Reframing. Looking at a situation from a different, more helpful angle. Learn more.
Reiki. A Japanese energy healing practice in which a practitioner places hands on or near the body. Learn more.
Reparenting. Learning to give yourself the care, safety and consistency you may have missed growing up. Learn more.
Resilience. The capacity to adapt and recover after difficulty. Learn more.
Revision. A Neville Goddard technique of replaying a past event in imagination as you wish it had happened. Learn more.
Root chakra. The first chakra, at the base of the spine, associated with safety and grounding. Learn more.
Rumination. Repetitive, often negative thinking about the same concerns. Learn more.
S
SATS. State Akin to Sleep: Neville Goddard’s technique of imagining a desired scene while drowsy. Learn more.
Scripting. Writing about your desired future as if it has already happened. Learn more.
Sedona Method. A technique for letting go of unwanted feelings by asking a series of simple questions. Learn more.
Self-actualisation. Abraham Maslow’s term for realising your full potential.
Self-awareness. Clear understanding of your own thoughts, emotions, motives and patterns.
Self-care. Actions you take to look after your physical, emotional and mental health. Learn more.
Self-compassion. Treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a good friend, especially in hard moments. Learn more.
Self-concept. The overall picture you hold of who you are. Learn more.
Self-confidence. Trust in your own abilities and judgement. Learn more.
Self-esteem. Your overall sense of your own worth. Learn more.
Self-help. Improving your life and wellbeing through your own effort, often with the help of books, courses and practices. Learn more.
Self-hypnosis. Guiding yourself into a relaxed, focused state to work with suggestions. Learn more.
Self-image. How you see yourself, which strongly influences how you act. Learn more.
Self-love. A deep, caring regard for your own wellbeing and happiness. Learn more.
Self-sabotage. Behaviour that undermines your own goals, often driven by fear or old beliefs. Learn more.
Shadow work. Exploring the parts of yourself you have hidden or rejected, an idea rooted in the work of Carl Jung. Learn more.
Silva Method. A programme by José Silva using relaxation, visualisation and meditation for problem-solving and intuition. Learn more.
Somatic Experiencing. Peter Levine’s body-based approach to resolving stress and trauma. Learn more.
Sound healing. The use of sound, such as singing bowls, gongs and voice, for relaxation. Learn more.
Spiritual awakening. A shift in awareness that brings a deeper sense of meaning, connection or presence. Learn more.
Stoicism. An ancient Greek and Roman philosophy that teaches focusing on what you can control and accepting what you cannot.
Stress response. The body’s reaction to challenge, involving hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Learn more.
Subconscious mind. The part of the mind below conscious awareness that holds habits, memories and automatic responses. Learn more.
Surrender. Letting go of the need to control every outcome, while still taking part in life.
T
Tapping. A common name for Emotional Freedom Techniques. Learn more.
The Secret. Rhonda Byrne’s 2006 book and film about the law of attraction. Learn more.
The Work. Byron Katie’s method of questioning stressful thoughts with four questions and a turnaround. Learn more.
Third eye. The sixth chakra, between the eyebrows, associated with intuition and insight. Learn more.
Thought record. A CBT worksheet for noting a situation, the thoughts it triggered and a more balanced view. Learn more.
Trauma bond. A strong emotional attachment to someone who causes harm, formed through cycles of hurt and reconciliation. Learn more.
Trauma-informed. An approach that takes into account how past trauma may affect a person’s responses and needs. Learn more.
Twin flame. In spiritual circles, a deep soul connection thought to mirror your own soul. Learn more.
V
Vagus nerve. A major nerve linking the brain with the heart, lungs and gut, involved in rest and recovery. Learn more.
Values. The principles that matter most to you and guide your choices. Learn more.
Vibration. In law of attraction teaching, the emotional “frequency” a person is thought to give off. Learn more.
Vipassana. A Buddhist insight meditation practice focused on observing sensations and thoughts as they arise. Learn more.
Vision board. A collage of images and words representing your goals, used as a daily visual reminder. Learn more.
Visualisation. Creating a vivid mental picture of a goal or experience. Learn more.
Vulnerability. Brené Brown’s term for uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure, which she sees as the birthplace of connection. Learn more.
W
Wim Hof Method. A practice combining breathing exercises, cold exposure and commitment, created by Wim Hof. Learn more.
Window of tolerance. The range of emotional arousal in which you can function and think clearly. Learn more.
Y
Yoga. An ancient practice combining postures, breathing and meditation. Learn more.
Yoga nidra. A guided practice of deep relaxation, sometimes called yogic sleep. Learn more.
Z
Zen. A school of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasises meditation, direct experience and simplicity. Learn more. See also Thich Nhat Hanh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does self-help mean?
Improving your life and wellbeing through your own effort, often with the help of books, courses and practices.
What is the difference between mindfulness and meditation?
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment without judgement; meditation is a formal practice that often trains that kind of attention.
What is the difference between self-esteem and self-compassion?
Self-esteem is your sense of your own worth; self-compassion is treating yourself kindly, especially when things go wrong.
What is the difference between manifestation and the law of attraction?
The law of attraction is the belief that thoughts attract matching experiences; manifestation is the practice of using thought, feeling and action to bring a goal about.
What is inner child work?
Practices that help you reconnect with and care for the feelings and needs of your younger self.
What is a limiting belief?
A belief that holds you back, such as “I am not good enough”.
What is shadow work?
Exploring the parts of yourself you have hidden or rejected, an idea rooted in Carl Jung’s work.
Key Takeaways
- This glossary defines 156 self-help terms from A to Z.
- Definitions are short, plain and neutral.
- Terms span psychology, mindfulness, spirituality and manifestation.
- Most entries link to a full guide or expert page.
- Use it as a quick reference alongside our longer guides.
Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
Use these pages alongside this one:
- Best self-help books – 25 classics and modern favourites
- Mindfulness – the complete guide
- Manifestation – the complete guide
- CBT – cognitive behavioural therapy explained
- Inner child healing – reconnecting with your younger self
- Six Thinking Hats – Edward de Bono’s thinking method
- Browse all self-help techniques – compare every method on Self Help Supermarket.
Sources
- American Psychological Association. APA Dictionary of Psychology. dictionary.apa.org. https://dictionary.apa.org/
Self Help Supermarket guides are for general information and are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.