As mentioned in my introductory post, I enjoy loom-knitting. However, in the past few months, I've felt stalled. Consequently, I've stuck to smaller projects. People on social media post pictures of the beautiful pieces they’ve created, and I wonder how they manage to find the energy and motivation. I give myself grief for taking longer to complete a project than I think I should. I need to go easier on myself; we all should.
You can't have a global pandemic without stress. It affects all of us. Even grocery shopping now has elements of stress that we are unused to. This can make ordinary tasks difficult. For some people, reading has become a difficult task. Others, however, find reading to be a stress relief.
“A 2009 study at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. It works better and faster than other relaxation methods, such as listening to music or drinking a hot cup of tea. This is because your mind is invited into a literary world that is free from the stressors that plague your daily life.” -The University of Minnesota’s Reading for Stress Relief
Check out these suggested reads for your stress-busting needs:
"Are you stressed? Do you need to find ways to unwind? Life can sometimes be hectic, challenging and hard to manage. We all need to find ways to release the daily pressures. In this exciting collection of relaxation ideas you will discover new ways to ease life's load, so that you can find tranquility and access inner peace. Offering simple and easy daily solutions for busy people and continuing a wealth of tips and techniques, from relaxation mantras and attitude acrobatics to self-help programmes, physical workouts and lessons from the east, 365 Ways to Beat Stress will help you access a calmer way of being"--Back cover.
Ten minutes to deep meditation: techniques that reduce stress and relieve anger, anxiety & depression / Michael J. Cavallaro.
Ten minutes to deep meditation
Lessons from Tara: life advice from the world's most brilliant dog / David Rosenfelt
"Rosenfelt's latest work of nonfiction has a slightly misleading title; although Tara, the author's first dog, takes center stage, other dogs--a handful of the hundreds the author and his wife have taken in over the years--do make some appearances. The book's theme is pretty straightforward: here are some of the things I've learned about myself through my dogs. Grieving after Tara's death, for example, allowed Rosenfelt to open up a more emotional side of himself; other dogs have shown him how to cope with stress, how to put others ahead of himself, how to exist in a seriously hectic environment (his house is always full of dogs), how to find the small joys in a busy day, how to manage with a lack of sleep, and more"--Booklist.
Calm: mindfulness for kids / written by Wynne Kinder, M.Ed.
Mindfulness activities are a great way to teach children about their thoughts and feelings and how to understand them while having fun at the same time. This book guides kids to help them enjoy and appreciate things that they take for granted every day while boosting their confidence and self-esteem. Full color.
How to relax / Thich Nhat Hanh.
"How to Relax is part of The Mindfulness Essentials series of how-to titles by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, introducing beginners and reminding seasoned practitioners of the essentials of mindfulness practice. Pocket-sized, with original two color illustrations by Jason DeAntonis, How to Relax shows how critical it is to regularly interrupt the hub-bub and routine of our lives to stop, relax mindfully, and recharge. Thich Nhat Hanh says that when we relax, we "become calm water, and we will reflect reality as it is. If we're not calm, the image we reflect will be distorted. When the image is distorted by our minds, it's not the reality, and it causes lots of suffering." With sections on healing, relief from nonstop thinking, transforming unpleasant sounds, solitude, being peace, and more, How to Relax includes meditations you can do to help you achieve the benefits of relaxation no matter where you are. It's a unique gift for those who want a simple guide to achieving deep relaxation, controlling stress, and renewing mental freshness and clarity, appropriate for those practicing in any spiritual tradition, whether seasoned practitioners or new to meditations. With fifteen two color drawings by celebrated artist Jason DeAntonis. "-- Provided by publisher.
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How Reading Reduces Stress: Read For Stress Relief
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