Has a long year got you down? Are you ready for a reset?
Many of us look to Jan. 1 as an opportunity to practice self-care, ease our stress, and conquer our anxiety, but why not get an early start? The La Mesa Library is happy to offer a variety of resources to help you find Zen in the pre-holiday bustle and usher in a calm and peaceful 2023.
Check out The Stress Prescription by Elissa Epel if you’re looking for a simple and practical plan to start experiencing stress differently. Dr. Epel reminds us that we can’t avoid all stress, but that it doesn’t have to be a bad thing either. Over this seven-day program, you’ll learn simple techniques to help take stressful experiences from miserable to manageable.
If you’d like to explore something a little more specific, Daniel H. Pink’s The Power of Regret takes an in-depth look at the uniquely human emotion of regret. Pink teaches us how to examine our mistakes and turn them into opportunities. This insightful read will help us shift from focusing on the negative associations of regret to viewing contrition as a positive experience that can shape our future choices.
Meditation is often recommended to help us cut through our worries and find inner calm, but how does this work? Take a look at Why We Meditate by Daniel Goleman and Tsoknyi Rinpoche to learn more about the Eastern spiritual practice, as well as modern scientific evidence for the efficacy of meditation. This dual approach offers insight into the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of a personal meditative practice and explores the benefits of reaching OM.
On the other hand, perhaps you need something to keep your hands busy to find peace.
If you’re looking for something a little more productive than doom-scrolling and anxiously clicking your pen cap, try Breaditation by professional baker Manuel Monade. Enjoy the ancient art of kneading away your frustrations and lean into the patience required to mix, knead, prove, and bake delicious homemade bread.
Another great option for the chronically fidgety is Chloe Elizabeth Birch’s Mindful Knitting. Using the rhythmic motion of hand-knitting to soothe an anxious mind is the height of cozy comfort. Create warmth and joy by crafting beautiful pieces for yourself and your loved ones from these 35 patterns.
Find these books and more at the La Mesa Library, either in-person, seven days a week or in our digital eLibrary.
You can also join us for a relaxing session of Chair Yoga, offered Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. to kick off your New Year.
If you have any questions or are interested in the titles above, call the branch at (619) 469-2151 or visit: sdcl.org.
– Cassie Koldewyn is branch manager of La Mesa Branch Library.
