- Emily Stoll
- Monday, May 04, 2020
It's so important to take care of yourself. If you don't take care of yourself, how are you going to take care of others? The act of self-care is not selfish, but it's a lot easier said than done.
All aspects of the coronavirus pandemic (medical; economic; social; etc.) have taken a toll on our physical, mental and emotional health. In fact, a new American Psychiatric Association poll showed 36% of Americans shared COVID-19 was seriously impacting their mental health. It was discussed in this Forbes article along with some other compelling statistics.
If you need a little added support to shine the spotlight back onto yourself, try some of these book, music and movies titles from Richland Library staff. They were recently featured in The State newspaper to help maintain a sense of balance in your life.
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski, DMA
Available in Overdrive
Recommended by Sarah Cameron
Learn scientifically-backed methods to better cope with stress in this groundbreaking title from sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski. Though they work in the vastly different fields of health education and choral conducting, the Nagoski sisters found the same problem continually arising in their lives and research: our society doesn’t teach us to process emotions, and this lack of skill is leaving us stressed, sick, and exhausted. The authors tackle the science of emotion and the stress cycle in a way that is fun, approachable and engaging, and they provide readers with practical tools that will help them break free from burnout. The book does specifically focus on the way stress works in the lives of 21st century women, but men will find the techniques every bit as useful and may gain helpful perspective on the women in their lives. Pick up this truly life-changing book and teach yourself to live a more joyful, healthful life from these wise, witty and compassionate women.
10 Minute Meditations by Meditations World
Available in hoopla
Recommended by Lisa Gieskes
It is so important to take care of yourself during this time of crisis and uncertainty, which means giving your mind a rest. Maybe you have always wanted to meditate, and now you have the time to do so. Maybe you don’t know the best way to begin, but you know music can lift your mood. You can start this healthy habit now, and you can make a plan to release anxiety and have more peaceful dreams by checking out "10 Minute Meditations" by Meditation World.
This instrumental music is designed for fidgety people. It aims to help you relax and breathe. There are seven peaceful tracks - all dedicated to relieving stress. They are slow tempo and kaleidoscopic, and they work well if you only have 10 minutes at a time. Need to go further? hoopla has a lot of new-age music if you need to take a longer break from your worries and intense emotions.
How to Read and Understand Shakespeare (2016)
Features Marc Conner, Ph.D.
Available in Kanopy
Recommended by Keith Brinkmann
Getting restless? Longing to escape your domestic confines, visit other times and places, and meet other fascinating people? For centuries, actors and readers around the globe have found in William Shakespeare a physician who keeps them alive and helps their minds and souls expand. If you’ve already tried to read Shakespeare, but put him down in frustration, it’s possible all you needed was a friendly and informed guide.
The 24 episodes in this series are led by Dr. Marc Connor, a distinguished Professor of English at Washington and Lee University, who produces annual Shakespeare plays with his students. "We want to love Shakespeare, but how do we do it?" Dr. Connor asks this question in the first episode, and his aim is to foster that love you.
These lessons are dynamic - Dr. Connor roaming around a well-designed set, exhorting us "the more we can enter imaginatively into the theater experience the more we can get out of a Shakespeare play," as camera angles change and informative graphics are seamlessly edited into the whole, keeping the learner engaged.