By Ashley, Cashmere Library
If you’ve been feeling stressed out or overwhelmed (or both) — you’re not alone! Many people deal with stress on a daily basis, and with an ongoing global pandemic, it seems even more difficult to set aside time specifically to relax. So, for National Wellness Month (August) and National Relaxation Day (Aug. 15th), check out some of our book suggestions on wellness and mindfulness that are focused on helping us all reduce some of the stress that builds up in our lives.
Introducing Mindfulness: A practical guide by Tessa Watt (Adult Nonfiction)
In this introductory volume, Tessa Watt explores what mindfulness is – “being present in the here and now” – and offers strategies and techniques for increasing our ability to practice mindfulness amidst the bustle, stress, and anxiety of everyday life.
Also available in eaudiobook
10-minute Mindfulness: 71 simple habits for living in the present moment by S.J. Scott and Barrie Davenport (Adult Nonfiction)
While mindfulness might be something many of us strive to achieve in our day-to-day lives, it can be difficult to cultivate habits of mindfulness when we’re not quite sure what a “mindfulness habit” is. In this text, authors Scott and Davenport share with us “71 habits to help us live in the present moment” – you just pick and choose the habits that speak to you and start incorporating them into your daily routine!
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski (Adult Nonfiction)
For any and all women out there feeling burnt out, stressed out, and/or overwhelmed – this one’s for you! Sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski dive into the scientific explanations for why women and men experience burnout differently, and provide science-backed techniques to combat burnout, reduce stress, and live a more relaxed life!
How to Relax by Thich Nhat Hahn (Adult Nonfiction)
This short volume offers short meditations on relaxation. Full of wisdom, Hahn’s notes are good reminders to slow down, breathe, and achieve relaxation anywhere we are.
The Sleep Revolution: transforming your life, one night at a time by Arianna Huffington (Adult Nonfiction)
Do you get enough sleep? What really IS enough sleep, and how are we affected when we get too little of it? Explore these questions and more in Arianna Huffington’s analysis of sleep and sleep deprivation – including the toll it takes when we push sleep aside, and how getting enough sleep can actually improve all aspects of our lives.
Quiet Mind by Susan Piver (Adult Nonfiction)
This book-and-audio combination features meditation practices from multiple teachers to help you establish your own daily meditation practice. Perfect for beginner’s and anyone new to meditation, or for anyone seeking to start up meditation as a habit in their daily lives.
Herbs for Stress & Anxiety by Rosemary Gladstar (Adult Nonfiction)
Are you interested in natural methods to calm your stress and anxiety? Check out this insightful guide for beginner’s into using a variety of herbs to combat stress and anxiety!
This Moment Is Your Life (And So is This One): A Fun and Easy Guide to Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga by Mariam Gates (Junior Nonfiction)
A fun Junior Nonfiction option for tweens and teens, Gates’ This Moment is Your Life offers a deeper understanding of mindfulness and what it means, and even offers tips and exercises for situations that may leave us feeling stressed or nervous. As an added bonus, this book also includes chapters on Mindful Yoga, Mindful Breathing, and Mindful Meditation, and includes a 5-Day Mindfulness Challenge at the end of the book!
Breathe With Me: Using breath to feel strong, calm, and happy by Mariam Gates (Junior Nonfiction)
A short children’s book on breathing, and all of the ways in which different types of breaths can help us conquer our many feelings. This book is a wonderful introduction to using breathing to help children manage emotions like stress and anxiety!
Happy by Nicola Edwards and Katie Hickey (Junior Nonfiction)
A beautiful ode to life’s many feelings, Edwards and Hickey explore different ways and techniques that children, and even adults, can use to practice mindfulness and find relaxation in the moments we need it most.
Breathe and Be: A Book of Mindfulness Poems by Kate Coombs (Junior Nonfiction)
This is a lovely poem book that encourages children to use the natural world to “ground” themselves in mindfulness!
Please note: NCW Libraries Librarians are not medical professionals, and we encourage you to speak with your doctor when using anything for medicinal purposes. These titles are only included as book suggestions, and are not meant to be taken as medical advice.
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