February 14 is here again. That means seeing couples in the hallways, watching the exchange of gifts of flowers, cards and candy, and a general feeling of love being in the air. Or… not.
For a lot of us, it can be stressful. If you’re not coupled up, or feel that Valentine’s Day is too much pressure, the celebration can be, at the least, annoying and even difficult.
This year, instead of joining the anti-Valentine’s Day club, how about focusing on taking care of yourself and enjoying your own company? We could all do with a little more self-care in our lives.
The Madison College Library has a diverse variety of materials available for you to check out that would be welcome distractions. Students, faculty and staff can check out books, e-books, audio books, films and more. We have plenty of items intended to help with your self-care mission.
Search our online catalog to locate these featured books, and many more.
“Unwinding Anxiety” by Judson Brewer – This new book by Judson Brewer, director of research and innovation at Brown University’s Mindfulness Center, teaches us how to identify our own daily triggers that cause anxiety. Using approaches like curiosity and mindfulness, we can learn how to stop anxiety before it becomes overwhelming.
“The Queer Mental Health Workbook: a Creative Self-help Guide Using CBT, CFT and DBT” by Brendan Dunlop – The specific mental health challenges of being queer are covered in this book by Brendan Dunlop, an experienced queer mental health practitioner. In the workbook, readers can examine mental health issues specific to being queer and choose tailored therapeutic approaches to finding a better sense of well-being.
“Complete Guide to Sleep Care: Best Practices for a Restful and Happier You” by Kiki Ely (e-book) – Any mental health professional will tell you that sleep is one of the main components to feeling good! With this book, gain some helpful tips on setting yourself up for success by focusing on your own rest.
Take a look at the Student Mental Health library research guide at https://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/mentalhealth for more suggestions.
Also, your librarians will also be hosting a pop-up library in the Truax Atrium on Feb. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. We’ll be near the entrance to the bookstore with books and other materials on the topics of self-care, wellness and mental health. Stop by and check us out.