- 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 formal meditation (2013, Psychology Today; site includes advertisements). Quick Stress Relief has advice to help you recognize when you’re stressed and learn techniques for quick stress relief when you need it. The same site offers lots of additional advice on Stress Management, Mental Health & Wellness (click on menu icon for a list of topics), and COVID Coping (HelpGuide.org)
Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress – A brief overview of the benefits of meditation and different techniques for meditating. (2022, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
MEDITATION AUDIOS: Bodhipaksa’s Mindfulness of Breathing Meditation [AUDIO] page offers soothing guided meditations that will lead you through the full four stages of the breathing mindfulness practice. If you prefer non-guided meditation, check out Bodhipaksa’s Free Meditation Timers [AUDIO], with periodic gentle bells or chimes to help you keep track of the time without interrupting your meditation. For many additional free meditations to play or download, see Meditations from Sitting Together [AUDIO] (Ronald D. Siegel, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School), Free Guided Meditations [AUDIO] (UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center), HelpGuide Meditations [VIDEO], and Harvard University’s Relaxation Room Guided Meditations [AUDIO] [VIDEO]. The Allen County Public Library (Fort Wayne, IN) offers free online audios for Mindful Meditation [AUDIO] and Gentle Yoga [AUDIO]. Mindful.org offers free basic guided meditations [NEW!] [AUDIO]. The American Chronic Pain Association offers a five-minute online guided relaxation video [UPDATED LINK!] [VIDEO] designed to help you let go of physical stress (video hosted on YouTube).
Stress – Links to additional information on different kinds of stress and how to manage stress, plus related resources. (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
Stress Management – Explains how stress affects your physical & emotional health, and suggests a variety of techniques for controlling stress (American Heart Association).
Physical exercise can also help reduce stress! Check out our Fitness, Sport, & Physical Therapy links for some good exercise resources, including Yoga. For additional mental health resources, check out our links to information about Mental Health, Self-Help, & Support Groups.
ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS!
- Mindfulness for kids
- Teach Kids to Find Calm in the Storm [NEW!] [VIDEO] (Tinkergarten)
- Basics of Meditation for Kids of Any Age [NEW!] (Healthline)
- Mindfulness Exercises from KidsHealth
- Stress & Coping from TeensHealth
Links updated november 2023.
The South Plainfield Library sometimes offers programs in yoga and meditation. Please keep an eye on the library’s website and/or our Facebook page for upcoming programs. The South Plainfield Library sometimes offers yoga or meditation programs for kids. Please check with the Children’s Room staff for schedule.
South Plainfield Public Library 