Webfinder: Meditation & Stress Reduction

• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS: Meditation
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS: Relaxation
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS: Stress Management
• Check out all our WordPress posts on Mental Health & Stress Management

NOTE: Relaxation techniques are generally considered safe for healthy people, but those with serious physical or mental health problems should discuss relaxation techniques with their health care providers. (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

Relaxation Techniques for Health: What You Need To Know – Reviews the scientific evidence for the effectiveness – or ineffectiveness – of relaxation techniques in managing a variety of health problems.  (2021, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

6 Mindfulness Exercises That Each Take Less Than 1 Minute – Quick & easy mindfulness exercises for people who don’t want to do

Call 988 For Mental Health Emergencies

The Federal Communications Commission recently approved a new 3-digit dialing code, 988, for mental health crisis and suicide prevention. The 988 line will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for calls, texts, and chat beginning on July 16th, 2022.
Learn more at https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/initiatives/988/

Mindful Monday

Introduce the Lion pose to your kids:
https://tinkergarten.com/activities/mindful-mondays-lion
Or the Mountain pose: https://tinkergarten.com/activities/mindful-mondays-mountain
Or the Cobra pose: https://tinkergarten.com/activities/mindful-mondays-cobra
==> Four Deep Breaths Can Help Kids (or anybody) Calm Down: https://vimeo.com/442138273/f64bd4b5d2
==> More Easy Relaxation Practices to Share With Your Children and Teens:
https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/14-easy-relaxation-practices-to-share-with-your-children-and-teens/
==> 7 Yoga Poses for Kids: https://parenting.uwhealth.org/2019/08/7-yoga-poses-for-kids/
==> More meditation & relaxation resources: https://southplainfieldlibrary.wordpress.com/tag/meditation/

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month!
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/american-heart-month
http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/health.htm#heart
http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/health.htm#Fitness
http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/health.htm#aha
http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/health.htm#Mental

COVID-19 Mental Health resources

Toll-free hotlines & helplines:
https://www.nj211.org/covid-19-and-mental-health
==> APA Coronavirus Mental Health Resources:
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/covid-19-coronavirus
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/covid-19-coronavirus#family
==> Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Young Adults [NEW!]:
https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/youthhelp
==> For additional mental health resources, see:
Webfinder: Meditation & Stress Reduction
https://southplainfieldlibrary.wordpress.com/tag/mental-health/
http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/health.htm#Mental
http://www.southplainfield.lib.nj.us/useful/health.htm#substance

Enjoying nature

“Access to nature — even at a distance, through the windows of one’s home — appears to have buoyed people during the darkest days of the pandemic…”
https://knowablemagazine.org/article/mind/2021/health-benefits-nature
Updated field guides, other titles lure readers outdoors:
https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-environment-and-nature-lifestyle-gardening-climate-change-fd8d3e76704142a2e93e1bc388acbde5

Get Healthy Meditation

It’s your end of the week serenity break! Get ready to leave the work week behind with this short guided meditation and tour through some of Middlesex County’s most relaxing parks.

How to Deal When It Feels Like You’re the Only One Still Wearing a Mask

There are plenty of reasons you might wish to keep masking up when you go out — and even if you’re comfortable without a mask, try to have empathy for the fact that other people’s lives are different from your own. We all live with varying circumstances, health issues and levels of risk tolerance… “You’re entitled to make choices about your own body,” says psychologist Dawn Potter, PsyD. But because it can feel uncomfortable to be the only masked face in the room, she offers tips for easing your anxiety, responding to nosy inquiries and seeking help if you need it.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-deal-when-it-feels-like-youre-the-only-one-still-wearing-a-mask/

Vaccines: Dealing with needle anxiety

Have you avoided getting the COVID vaccine because you’re afraid of needles? You’re definitely not alone! “About one in four adults and two out of three children have some fear of needles, and adults may find their fears too shameful to share. This is a substantial public health problem, because a body of research shows that around one in 10 adults are so afraid of needles that they will delay or avoid vaccinations…”
Here’s some advice that may help:
==> CARD™ System for Coping with Fears and Anxiety – Adults
==> How to Overcome a Fear of Needles
==> Overcoming a Fear of Needles [NEW!]

DEALING WITH NEEDLE ANXIETY IN KIDS

==> Tips to Support Your Child When Fear of Needles Arises
==> CARD™ System for Coping with Fears and Anxiety – Parents
==> Helping Your Child Through Vaccine Jitters [NEW!]
==> 10 Things to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children Ages 5 through 11 Years and COVID Vaccine for Children & Teens [NEW!]

Links updated 12/29/21

Health benefits of gardening

“A new study reveals a significant association between gardening more frequently and improvements in wellbeing, perceived stress and physical activity.”
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/gardening-as-good-as-rigorous-exercise-mental-health-rhs/
==> Adult books on gardening: http://bookdb.nextgoodbook.com/booklist/w/a766f9d4b53cef2071389c94bbbdd56a/l/241250
==> Kids’ books on gardening: http://bookdb.nextgoodbook.com/booklist/w/a766f9d4b53cef2071389c94bbbdd56a/l/243826
==> RU Ready to Garden Webcasts:
http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/BDE/Pages/RUReady2Garden.aspx
==> More gardening resources: https://southplainfieldlibrary.wordpress.com/tag/gardening/