Take a Moment for Yourself This Month

Every April, Mental Health America (MHA) celebrates Stress Awareness Month to raise public awareness about the causes and cures of stress. This annual event is a great opportunity for everyone - individuals, families, and organizations - to take a step back and reflect on the impact of stress and to become more proactive in creating healthier lives. Stress is a normal part of life, but too much can be damaging to our physical and mental health. It can cause physical ailments such as headaches and muscle tension, as well as mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The good news is that stress can be managed, and even prevented, with some simple lifestyle changes.

During Stress Awareness Month, MHA encourages people to take time to recognize the signs of stress in their own life and to take steps to reduce it. For example, it’s important to make time for yourself, to get enough rest and exercise, and to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. It’s also important to reach out to others, such as a friend, family member, or professional counselor, if you need additional support.

A great way to combat stress is to practice mindfulness: taking a few moments to be aware of our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Mindfulness can help us to become more aware of our stress triggers, as well as to recognize when we're feeling overwhelmed. Another way to manage stress is to create a self-care plan. This could involve things like setting aside time for yourself to relax, eating healthy meals, exercising, or meditating. It's also important to make sure that you're taking the time to do things that bring you joy and that help you to stay connected to the people in your life. Stress can have a serious impact on our health, both physical and mental, so it's important to take time to recognize, understand, and manage our stress.

You can start your stress reducing journey right here at the library!

Headspace makes meditation and mindfulness techniques available online so you can experience the benefits of meditation anytime, anywhere. Use Headspace for free with your Mercer County Library card!

The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
Do you ever feel stressed, worried, miserable or unfulfilled – yet you put on a happy face and pretend everything's fine? If so, you are not alone. Stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are everywhere. In one way or another, it seems that almost everyone is struggling. But why should this be, when our standard of living is the highest it's ever been? Mindfulness skills are easy to learn and will rapidly and effectively help you to reduce stress, enhance performance, manage emotions, improve health, increase vitality, and generally change your life for the better.

Start here, Start Now: A Short Guide to Mindfulness Meditation by Bhante Gunaratana
In a clear, friendly voice, this concise collection of beloved and renowned meditation master Bhante G's bestselling instructions will teach you everything you need to know to start--and maintain!--your mindfulness meditation practice.

Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
In Atlas of the Heart, Brown takes us on a journey through 85 of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and lays out an actionable framework for meaningful connection, Brown gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances - a universe where we can share and steward the stories of our bravest and most heartbreaking moments with one another in a way that builds connection.

Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer
A step-by-step plan clinically proven to break the cycle of worry and fear that drives anxiety and addictive habits. Judson Brewer explains how to uproot anxiety at its source using brain-based techniques and small hacks accessible to anyone.

Moodtopia by Sara-Chana Silverstein
Packed with hundreds of tools, tips, and strategies, Moodtopia is a practical, easy-to-use guide to herbs, adaptogens, aromatherapy, color therapy, feng shui, intuition, homeopathy and so much more. Silverstein shares the best natural remedies to help combat stress, anxiety, and promote peace of mind and general health.

No More Stress Today (hoopla)
Relaxing Music for Stress Relief

The Love Destination Courses: Guided Meditation (hoopla)
Calm your mind and body, soothe your heart, learn to let go, and experience the power of forgiveness with this beautiful guided meditation series.

 - by Rachel, Twin Rivers Branch